Reviews By Age Group

Teenagers (13+): Gear, Tech and Teaching Smart Buying

By the teen years, most gear decisions are a negotiation, and that is a good thing. Teen gear and tech choices are a chance to teach budgeting, research and responsibility while keeping safety in the picture: phones and gaming setups with sensible boundaries, a study space that works, fitness and sports equipment, and new ways of getting around like e-bikes.

Ask a Dad Call 281-790-5262

Phones, gaming and teen gear and tech setups

Agree on the rules before the device: where it charges overnight (outside the bedroom is a common choice), what happens with new apps, how location sharing works in your family and what your teen should do if they see something upsetting or get a message that feels wrong. Review privacy settings together on every social app.

For gaming, set up parental controls on purchases and online chat, especially for younger teens. Watch for in-game spending traps. Our pages on social media awareness and cyberbullying prevention can guide those conversations, and NCMEC’s CyberTipline (report.cybertip.org) is where to report online exploitation.

Study spaces that work

Monitor at about eye level, roughly an arm’s length away
Chair height so feet rest flat and thighs are roughly level
Good lighting that does not glare on the screen
A spot away from the bed when possible, to separate rest from work
Headphones with reasonable volume for focus

Fitness, sports and getting around

Teens may want gym equipment, running shoes or gear for a serious sport. For strength training, teaching good form, often from a coach or trainer, matters more than heavy weights. Make sure sport-specific protective gear still fits after growth spurts.

E-bikes and e-scooters are popular with teens and have been involved in a growing number of injuries. Check your state and local laws on age, speed class and helmets, require a helmet regardless, and look for batteries certified to recognized safety standards; the CPSC has warned about fires from lithium-ion batteries. Charge them away from exits and not overnight unattended.

Teaching teens to buy smart

A teen with a goal, like a gaming setup, a bike or a phone upgrade, is ready for a real lesson in money. Help them set a budget, compare options, read return policies and check for recalls or safety warnings. Discuss buy-now-pay-later traps and subscriptions. Let them make a small mistake with their own money now rather than a big one later.

For broader guidance on this stage, see the teen parenting toolkit and balancing independence and guidance.

Gear as a doorway to connection

Shared gear can keep you close when teens pull away: a pair of running shoes for joint early runs, a fishing setup, a project bike in the garage. Teens often talk most when you are side by side doing something. A long drive to a tournament or a Saturday morning fixing a flat tire can open more conversation than a planned sit-down talk. For ideas, see building trust and communication with teens. This page belongs to reviews by age group.

FAQ

Common questions

What rules should come with a teen’s phone?

Common rules include charging the phone outside the bedroom overnight, sharing new apps before installing, keeping privacy settings tight, and telling a parent about anything upsetting online. Agree on rules together and revisit them as trust grows.

Are e-bikes safe for teenagers?

They can be with the right precautions: follow state and local laws, wear a helmet every ride, learn road rules, and choose batteries certified to safety standards. Charge batteries carefully and away from exits.

How do I set up a good study space for a teen?

Put the monitor near eye level, adjust the chair so feet are flat, add glare-free lighting and keep the workspace separate from the bed if possible. Let your teen help design it.

Should my teen pay for some of their own gear?

Many families find that a teen who contributes, through an allowance, job or saved gift money, takes better care of what they buy. Decide together which items are family essentials and which are wants your teen helps fund.

Keep going