He can use it whenever he wants which isn't much these days and we keep a close eye on the apps that are installed. He also has a laptop for school work that we keep a very close eye on as well. We are realizing that we may need to get him at least a dumb phone for high school this fall. For now his texting is using my wife's phone to connect with a couple of his closest friends. It is a good way to know exactly what is being communicated.