Does an eight year old need a cell phone?

Question

Im worried about my daughter when she is out playing or if she gets lost at the mall. She says her friends have cell phones but I've only seen one for sure that does. Is eight too young?

Answer 1

Of course she needs it.  How else will she keep up with her dates?  Don't forget to put her on birth control too.

Didn't that sound ridiculous?  I thought so.

Answer 2

Yes

Answer 3

a migo by verizon wireless.  but why is an eight year old alone at the mall?

Answer 4

It depends.

Answer 5

your child should be monitored to an extent but what about for emergency contacting after school changes   We gave our boy at the age of 7 a prepaid cell for any after school contact it had GPS service so if he had been lost we could locate him.   When he wanted to go to the toy department and I wanted to finish shopping nearby  he had the phone so we could meet up.  It had been closed off so to speak so that he could only receive and make calls to the numbers on his list and his access to text and Internet was also closed.

Answer 6

it is definetly to young. you should talk to the mother whose child has a cellphone and ask her why she has one. kids really only need a cellphone when they are old enough that they can go to the mall and other places by themselves.

Answer 7

yes. i got a cell phone at 12. if you let your 8 year old child run around outside unadvised then she should have a cell phone. but usually they are being watched by you or another adult.

Answer 8

yes........ your daughter does not need a cell-phone maybe when's she is like 12...... she'll be okay~!

Answer 9

No, as long as she knows how to dial 911 and it will keep your mind at ease than yes, a cell is definately worth it, they have cells just for kids U can look into.

Answer 10

I am afraid it is way too young. I think 13 is when  a kid is able to have a cell phone.

Answer 11

yes i think it is to young but then again if she is going out by herself and friends then i guess for emergencies. but i think the youngest age is like ten

Answer 12

No, you get a child a mobile at 6, just make sure its the one with 4 buttons

Mum, Dad, Grandma or Grandpa or Big Brother Joey and 999/11

Answer 13

WAYYYYYY TOO YOUNG

wait until she is AT LEAST 11

i got mine at 14

it worked out fine for me

Answer 14

8 is way too young. If you are afraid she will get lost, keep a better eye on her don't give her a cell phone

Answer 15

8 is too young!! 13+

Answer 16

No she should have a cell phone that a way when she is with friends or even family she can contact you in case of emergencies.  And just in case she misses her mommy/daddy and just wants to talk to you.

Answer 17

i got my cell phone last may and i knew some first graders that had ones. i think it all depends on where she goes and how mkuch responsibility she has. if you are afraid of losing her somewhere than buy her a cell phone and only give it to her when she goes out. then your fears will be calmed and she will be at least saitisfied until she is old enough (around age 9 or 10- its only a year away)

Answer 18

Yes.

Answer 19

I think it depends on the child. If she is very responsible, 'old for her age' and is out with friends at the mall, I'd be tempted to get her a cell phone too. They have those basic models that you press a button for mom, another for dad, and a couple for emergencies. That might be an alternative to a $200 type phone.

It's not my place to judge on parenting styles, since everyone has their own situation. However, keep in mind that no cell phone is a replacement for supervision of any child by a responsible adult.

Answer 20

way too young... your child at 8 should be monitored by you or another responsible adult- there should not be any reason she would get lost in a mall!!

Answer 21

i personally think that at 8 years old, she really shouldnt be going much anywhere without an adult unless maybe to a friends house or something like taht so no

i probably wont get one till 7-9th grade

Answer 22

No. And if she gets lost at the mall, why the heck would you let her run off anyway?

Answer 23

My personal opinion is that an 8 year old is way too young for a cell phone.  Who cares what the "other kids" are doing.

Your daughter is wayyyyy to young to be at the mall by herself anyway.

At 8, most children are still under pretty close supervision by an adult.  If they aren't with a parent, they are with a friend and that friend's parent.  My 10 year old does not have a phone yet and probably won't until he is able to be more independent without a parent around.  For us, that age is 12-13.

mb