How old should a kid be to get a cell phone?

Question

To tell the truth I've seen 1st graders with a cell phone. My friends daughter says that almost everybody has a cell phone at their school. Just wondering???

Answer 1

some kids need one if they walk to and from school alone or if the bus stop is far away i'm 14 and i got mine when i was 11, if they want it to call their friends they dont need one at all until they are 16 and can drve. dont wait until age 18 because if they get hurt while driving and no one could no about the accident. as i said, sometimes it is a nessesity

Answer 2

Don't give in, I didn't get my first cell phone until I was 16 a junior in high school. But wait until you think they are responsible, my 13 year old cousin has one but her mom has to take it away because she runs up the bill with text and she talks to boys when she is not supposed to. I say at least High school but if you are worried middle might work, but it is a responsibility. What if it's lost or stolen, or they damage it, or they are talking to someone they have no business talking to, I say WAIT!!

Answer 3

I got one at 16, but I also had a job and paid for it on my own....

Answer 4

When they are old enuf to pay for the darn thing themselves!

Answer 5

I see cell phones as a safety device. As soon as they start doing activities after school where they need to get in touch with me for a ride I'll get them a cell phone.

Answer 6

I got a cellphone when i started 6 grade and i think that is a good age.

Answer 7

I dont understand how grades work, i am in Scotland and my daughter is in primary 7, i got her a mobile when she went into primary 6 {age 10} .I only put money in it if she is going anywhere with friends, any other time it gets topped up if she pays toward the top up with share of her pocket money.

I feel safer with her having her phone knowing if she runs out of credit she can still call 999 if she is in any sort of trouble/danger.

Answer 8

7 year olds it's pretty needed... Look at the things we are dealing with in the world...

Answer 9

I think 5 is perfect because they are old enough to know how to use it old enough to need it so yeah anytime between 5 and 7

Answer 10

I gave my 11 year old a cell phone because he walks to school on his own with a friend, and also has weekend activities where we are apart. He has used it exactly 5 times in the last 5 months. I must admit, I fell safer knowing he can always get in touch with me if he needs to. 90% of his friends DO NOT have a cell phone, and he knows not to abuse it.

Answer 11

Hi, I have struggled with this same question, thanks for asking.... I think that it depends on the child and the "family" lifestyle.  I think that if you have a 9,10,11 year old and they are staying after school or they spend some time away from their parent (walk to/from school independently, parents work)...  that seems reasonable. But if the child is rarely or never without the parent, that seems silly. So I guess it depends on the overall, Lifestyle.  Good luck!

Answer 12

If a child can earn the money to pay for its service, then they can have one.  My 14 year old got a tracfone when she turned 13 and has paid for it ever since.  She respects the minutes and knows her lack of saving the money will kill her communication with the outside world!

Answer 13

Well, i think 18. But atleast 16 and with a job.

Answer 14

I dont think a child should have a cell phone until they can pay the bill.

Answer 15

my sister is 13 and she wants one but she doesnt have one. but she is getting one for her 14th birthday. shh, she doesnt know!!

Answer 16

kids have been using the "everyone else has one" thing for as long as someone else had something they wanted.

i got a cell phone when i turned 14, because i was always at school sporting events, out with friends from church, and was responsible beyond my age.

my brother turns 14 this summer, and he won't be getting a cell phone. it depends on the child.

but no kid in 1st grade (or elementary school, for that matter) should be away from their parents enough to need a cell phone!

Answer 17

id say 11

Answer 18

I think that age is to young! My son is 8 and is in 2nd grade and I think they are still to young! Now my sisters son is 11 in 4th grade and I think that age is good! Some people may differ but everyone is different! Thanks have a great day!

Answer 19

I think they should be old enough to have a job..Or at least do chores to work for the bill..and if that they are getting prepaid..Or something similar..Kids need to learn to earn stuff..I know its nice to have tabs on your kids and everything..but comeone 10 yrs ago that was unheard of!

Im 20 (just turned) and I got a cell phone when I was 17 with a job..My mom got me a beeper before than..But I earned my phone.. And ya of course I wanted her to get me a cell phone..But you know what Im glad she didnt..

Answer 20

My grand Daughter got one this summer at 10...BUT the only reason was a visit to her dads in Colorado and we are in FL. Just in case he decided not to answer his phone or let her call us. Its a $10 basic phone thats added to our family plan. She is not allow to take it to school. She does carry it in her purse on weekends some and when she is outside with the nieghbor kids she has to carry it.

We are kind of over protective b/c she is an only child and doesn't get to run our whole complex like the kids around us.

Answer 21

12

Answer 22

I got mine at 12. But that's only because I was always at the school dances or at my friends house and my mom wanted a way to contact me if I she needed me. My brother was 16 though. That's because our house was the hang out spot and she never needed to contact him until he started to drive...

Answer 23

whenever they can pay for it

Answer 24

14or15 because its about the time kids trun to teens and get more friends and are starting high school.

Answer 25

grade 1 is way to young, but like grade 7  but not like text massenging on it for emergencys kinda thing.   When I kids gets in hight school tough its kinda nessacary  so tht they can call you the parent to tell ou if they have to stay after school and so that you know wherer tehry are so that they don'tr get into to much trouble