Legally and morally, a teenager's phone can be considered their own property when it becomes an element of their personal space and a means of self-expression, confirming their independence from parental control.

Teen's Digital Independence

Legally and morally, a teenager's phone can be considered their own property when it becomes an element of their personal space and a means of self-expression, confirming their independence from parental control. For example, if the phone is a gift or legally acquired, and its use is associated with the teenager’s right to control personal data, communication, and inner world, it will be perceived not only as an object but also as an extension of their individuality.

As noted in one of the sources, the teenager intuitively feels the need to prove their significance by saying, "Teenagers are more the owners than their parents; they simply already know that real power in the family lies with the one who holds the property. After all, parents believe they can control the fate of children precisely because they gave birth to them..." (source: link txt). Here, it can be seen that the phone, as one of the components of what the teenager calls "mine," including "phone conversations," becomes a symbol of personal space that they strive to protect from external interference.

Thus, if the telecommunications device is used by the teenager for autonomous communication, storing personal information, and shaping a unique identity—and if its acquisition or gifting complies with legal norms—then, from both a legal and moral perspective, the phone can serve as the teenager’s property.

Supporting citation(s):
"Teenagers are more the owners than their parents; they simply already know that real power in the family lies with the one who holds the property. After all, parents believe they can control the fate of children precisely because they gave birth to them..." (source: link txt)