18 tips to teach kids phone etiquette at home

While most personal communications in the 21st century occur digitally via text messages, instant messages, emails and social media, telephone etiquette is still an essential skill for your kids to learn.

According to Common Sense Media, in 2021 about three out of 10 8-year-olds and nine out of 10 14-year-olds owned a smartphone. While phone etiquette training for a smartphone is different than for a home phone, the data suggests that kids as young as seven should at least be learning good manners and call etiquette no matter their phone type. Our guide will help you understand why your kids should know phone etiquette, how to teach them (with examples of phone etiquette) and how a VoIP home phone can help. Let’s take a look.

What is phone etiquette?

Telephone etiquette is the way you handle yourself on the phone. This includes how you answer the phone, use of good manners, tone of voice and overall phone conduct. It can also include things like identifying yourself, listening carefully and being respectful of the person on the other end of the call. Telephone manners and etiquette are valuable skills at any age.

Why does phone etiquette matter?

From the time a child can answer the phone, practicing good phone etiquette is essential. Kids these days have access to computers and technology at such a young age that we assume they intuitively know proper etiquette, but that’s not true. One reason is they have fewer opportunities to witness the art of traditional telephone communication. But phone etiquette is still something they should learn.

When someone calls your home phone, most likely it’s an adult on the other end. As a parent, you want your kids to practice good manners, especially with adults. Not only that, but learning good phone etiquette sets your child up for a lifetime of good communication skills whether on the phone, another device or in person.

Safety is also a reason to teach phone etiquette. It’s an important safety measure for your child to know how to dial 911 and communicate with emergency responders. On the flip side, it is also important for your child to understand when sharing too much information over the phone can be dangerous. One example of this is callers phishing to see if a child is home alone.

Also, did you know there is such a thing as phone anxiety? It’s real and called telephonophobia. Having a home phone and knowing how to use it can prevent or significantly reduce phone anxiety.

Finally, phone etiquette is an important skill your kids will carry with them for the rest of their life. Telephone communication is still a part of almost every job, career and daily task they will encounter. They will need this etiquette to handle calls professionally, whether it’s a job interview, scheduling an appointment or resolving an issue.

Why use a home phone?

There are many reasons to get a home phone. Having a centralized phone number for your family makes it easier for places like the doctor’s office, your child’s school, utility companies and even other family members to reach you or leave a message.

A home phone is helpful in case of an emergency. If you have one central phone in the home kept in one location, it will be easier for your child—or anyone in the house—to locate it in an emergency. If everyone has their own cell phone, then your child is left searching for one to use and hoping it’s charged. A home phone also makes it easy for first responders to locate your address in an emergency.

A dumb phone or simple landline phone also allows you and your kids downtime from mobile devices, knowing that if someone really needs to reach you even when you’re powered off, they can.

Finally, teaching phone etiquette on a home phone is often more effective because there are fewer distractions. Without notifications, games or apps, kids can focus on the conversation and practice proper telephone etiquette skills.

Tips to teach your kids call etiquette when answering the phone.

1. Answer the phone quickly. Within three rings is recommended.
2. Say hello. While this might sound like a given, many kids don’t say anything when answering the phone.
3. Give a polite greeting. Try this simple one: “Hi, you’ve reached the (last name) residence. Can I help you?”
4. Speak clearly. Teach your kids not to mumble or cover the mouthpiece while they speak to avoid muffling their words.
5. Don’t overshare information. This is important for safety. Teach your kids never to disclose that a parent isn’t home. Instead, they can say, “My mom can’t come to the phone right now. Can I take a message?”
6. Be polite. Instead of saying “What?,” try “Can you please repeat that? I’m having a hard time hearing you.”
7. Put the phone down and find the person needed. No one likes someone yelling “Mom, mo-om, mo-o-om” in their ear.
8. Stay focused on the caller. Encourage kids not to talk to others or get distracted while on the phone.
9. Ask before putting someone on hold. A simple “Can you hold for a moment?” teaches respect and good phone etiquette habits.
10. Use a notepad to take notes. Practice writing clear and concise notes, including the caller’s name, phone number and reason for calling.
11. Double check the callback number. Have your child read the number back to the caller to double-check their contact information.

Tips to teach your kids telephone manners and etiquette when making a call.

12. Say hello and introduce yourself. Again, it’s amazing that kids these days don’t say hello when they call someone.
13. Ask for the person you want to speak to by name. Try this: “Hi, this is (child’s name). Is (name) there?”
14. Wait your turn to speak. It’s poor manners to interrupt. Teach your child to wait until the person on the other end is done speaking before responding.
15. Leave a message. Inform your child that not everyone has caller ID, so if nobody answers they should leave a clear and concise message with call-back details. Try: “Hi, this is (name), I’m calling to see if (name) can play. She can call me back at (phone number).”
16. End the conversation with a polite goodbye. Just like a simple hello when answering the phone, it’s customary to say goodbye when ending a call.
17. Be prepared before calling. Encourage kids to know what they want to say before they dial so the conversation is clear and respectful of the other person’s time.
18. End the conversation with a polite goodbye. Just like a simple hello when answering the phone, it’s customary to say “thank you” and “goodbye” when ending a call.

Phone etiquette FAQ

What phone etiquette should kids learn by age?

• Ages 5 to 7: At this age, kids can practice answering with “hello,” speaking clearly and finding a parent or trusted adult when someone calls.
Ages 8 to 10: Kids can start learning how to take simple messages, ask callers to repeat information and understand basic phone safety rules.
• Ages 11 and up: Older kids can practice making calls, leaving voicemails, scheduling simple appointments and handling conversations more independently.

How do you teach a child to answer the phone?

Start with a simple script, practice together and remind them to speak clearly, be polite and avoid sharing personal information.

Example phone scripts for kids:

• Answering the phone: “Hi, you’ve reached the (last name) residence. Can I help you?”
• Taking a message: “My mom can’t come to the phone right now. Can I take a message?”
• Calling a friend: “Hi, this is (child’s name). Is (name) there?”
• Leaving a voicemail: “Hi, this is (name). I’m calling to see if (name) can play. She can call me back at (phone number). Thank you. Goodbye.”

Why is phone etiquette important for kids?

Phone etiquette helps kids build communication skills, practice good manners, handle emergencies and prepare for real-life conversations.

How do I teach my kids how to be polite but still keep them safe when talking on the phone?

Here are some safety tips you can incorporate into your etiquette training:

• Never tell a caller you are home alone.
• Never share your address, school, schedule or personal information.
• Do not answer questions that feel strange or uncomfortable.
• Hang up and tell a parent or trusted adult if a call feels unsafe.
• Know how and when to call 911 in an emergency.

Is a home phone useful for teaching phone etiquette?

Yes. A home phone gives kids a simple, distraction-free way to practice answering calls, making calls and taking messages.