What age for cell phones

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Permalink Reply by Peek Inc. on November 7, 2008 at 10:35pm

I think 15/16 is a suitable age. Any younger, it worries me. Will they remember not to leave it behind or misplace it... etc.

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Permalink Reply by R.L.Scovens on November 8, 2008 at 9:48am

My son is turning 10 on Monday and I got him a cell phone for his birthday. It's convenient and it makes me feel better when he is away from me.

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Permalink Reply by MomsL8 on November 8, 2008 at 9:54am

Heh! Well, as a parent of a 16, 13, and 11 year old, have I been through the ringer with this one.

I used the phone as an Xmas gift for the oldest (DD) when she was in 7th grade. I, too, said, grades had to be up and you had to have a reason for using one.

I turned off ALL services, including text and the internet, until she went into high school. I did not pay for unlimited texting her freshmen year, but this year, her sophomore year, the first month of school, she texted 2600 messages at an average of 80 a day.

Little to her dismay, she now owes me $458 that I just paid off. Of course, I took texting completely away from her again.

Our compromise is that she come up with the difference between $24 (unlimited texting for all numbers on a family plan) and $12 (single line unlimited texting) - which is really just for her single line charge @ $12/mos for the 12 mos contract. If she can come up with that cash up front, I'll pay for unlimited texting. Until then, no texting for her!

It's very convenient and reassuring to give them cells, but it takes a lot of teaching about finance and budgeting and self-control to maintain a limit, which I think is healthy.

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Permalink Reply by Duong on November 8, 2008 at 10:47am

I like convenience, I think 13 is good but only for ER, and like you said convenience for texting, be able to get a hold. It may not be wise for them to spend too much time on it just chatting w/friends for long periods of time.

Childhood brain tumors claim more lives than any other... have being linked to cell phones. I'd be cautious to introduce to them at younger age than 13....read more here: Knowledge is power, however some parents will choose what is best---since I'm passionate about health and helping people, I do want to share this link and you decide-

http://www.beautysecretsspiritsoulbody.com/index.php?id=197

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Permalink Reply by Jens4him on November 8, 2008 at 6:21pm

We bought one for our daughter at age 10 because she is a competitive dancer and spends a lot of time at the dance studio. It makes it so much easier to keep tabs on her that way. Her brother also got one at 10 because he races quarter midgets, and there is some downtime for him, but volunteer work for us parents. So he often runs off and plays with his friends, and I know he's just a call/text away. It makes me feel better.

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Permalink Reply by Mary on November 9, 2008 at 6:29pm

The last part you mentioned, about it being more for you than for them is very true. My daughter is only 4 but my sister has a 9 year old boy. She got him a cell phone a couple months ago because he likes walking to the library with his friends who live in the upstairs apartment. Now that he has the phone he also calls her to tell her he got on and off the school bus OK. it really gives her peace of mind but I also believe the child has to reach an age when they are responsible enough to carry and care for the cell phone. My daughter will have one as soon as the circumstances merit one.

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Permalink Reply by Bridget on November 9, 2008 at 9:28pm

All of my kids received a cell phone at the age of 14

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Permalink Reply by Spottie on November 10, 2008 at 8:37am

I just read a local article about the 'oh dear no' side to this. ie. set boundaries and check often
Worse case scenarios, read this: http://www.pennlive.com/columns/patriotnews/reeves/index.ssf?/base/...

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Permalink Reply by Angie Dagenhart on November 10, 2008 at 9:23am

The rule in our house has always been 12. We are very active with our kids afterschool activities (or I should say my husband is as he couches several of their sports teams) so there really isn't a need before then. We found with our older two that their social lives began to pick up around 12 and it was nice to be able to be in contact with them if they were out seeing a movie, etc with friends.

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Permalink Reply by JGoode on November 10, 2008 at 9:52am

I have a 13 year old that we just bought a cell phone for this past summer. his school doesnt allow cell phone use on campus, however, I have found it to be extremely helpful. It's added a little bit of extra confidence that he can reach me if he needs me.

We learned the hard way, however, to add the extra text package. I say go with unlimited text from the beginning but put rules/guidelines on the use. We've found it to be a great way to allow more freedom, choices and responsibility without feeling out of the loop of what's going on.

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Permalink Reply by Kristina on November 10, 2008 at 12:34pm

I got my first cell phone when I was 13, and I was one of maybe 2 kids in the grade with a cell, but now it seems like it's the norm for kids still in elementary school (9, 10, 11 years old) to get cell phones. I agree with what's been said regarding responsibility, and with those new kid-friendly cell phones (firefly, etc) and generous family cell phone plans, I don't think there's anything wrong with a responsible 7 or 8 year old to have a cell phone for emergency use and to have a direct line of contact with family members.

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Permalink Reply by coconutgoddess on November 10, 2008 at 2:14pm

I gave my oldest daughter a cell phone at 8. She used it only for a way to communicate directly with my and her grandparents. She is super responsible and a real rule follwer. My middle child however, wont probably see one for a couple more years. More like 12. She is more a bend the rules kind of kid... and I know that she wont use it for its intended purpose.

As a single parent, it has been invaluable for me and my girls.

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