CHILDREN receive their first mobile phone at the average age of seven, a new study suggests.

Youngsters are now given handsets while at primary school - six years earlier than a decade ago.

The majority of parents (74%) claim they give children mobiles for safety reasons and "peace of mind" while 61% say they set up "pay monthly" contracts rather than opting for "pay as you go", the poll found.

It also found around 22% of parents bought their children phones simply because their classmates had them.

The study, by comparison site MobilePhoneChecker.co.uk, found youngsters are now likely to be just seven-and-a-half when they get their first phone. In 2003, the average age was 13.2 years.

Adam Cable, director of MobilePhoneChecker.co.uk, said: "Despite the argument that parents want to keep their children safe at all times, many may think that seven years old is far too young to own a mobile.

"The protection of children is obviously a key factor in their usage of mobile phones, but as long as the proper precautions are taken to ensure maximum safety of children using handsets, then they absolutely have their benefits."

The poll found most adults aged 25-30 first got a Nokia 3310. Some 86% of this age group had to "pester" their parents for their first phone.