I’ll show you mine if you show me yours. What kids are comparing these days...

What is the first thing kids notice about each other?

Their phone. In a recent survey, a whopping 82% of children under 18 said they notice their peers’ devices before other must-have items like clothing, shoes and accessories. Cell phone envy is a factor for young people too. 78% reported they were embarrassed to let others see their phone because it was old or outdated.

The average age children are getting cell phones has been steadily dropping and is now around age 10. Making the leap to smartphones is now averaging around age 13. Malia Obama got her iPhone a year early at age 12.