Children and smartphones

FOX 5 NEWS - Being on her very own cell phone is still a new experience for 12-year-old Sage, but already she feels a little lost when it's not around. Despite having some reservations, Sage's mother, Sophia Spehar, felt sage could handle the responsibility of having her own smart phone.

When it comes to cell phone usage, the Spehar family is right on target with the rest of the country. Nationwide, most children receive their first mobile device at age 12 and a majority of teens, 73 percent, have smart phones.

Paul Wagenseil is a dad and a tech expert for Tom's Guide who says parental control apps on your child's smart phone is no a brainer. Some of his picks: Norton, Qustodio, and Net Nanny which work best on an Android.

Sophia also uses parental control -- the good old-fashioned kind. She doesn't allow the kids to have their devices when they go to bed or while doing their homework.