When should your child be allowed their own smartphone?

FILED - The use of electronic devices by preschool children, especially mobile phones and computers, can lead to behavioural difficulties, a new study has found. Photo: Hans-Jürgen Wiedl/dpa

Smartphones, tablets and consoles are on many children's wish lists, but not every device is suitable for all ages. And some parents wonder at what age kids should be allowed their own phone. 

One thing is for sure: refusing your child a smartphone entirely is not the way to go. Learning how to navigate the digital world is an important skill today, and barring them from this world could end up being harmful.