What age should a child have a cell phone?

Question

What age should a child have a cell phone?

Answer 1

I would say that it depends on the kid. I got one in high school (sophmore year) because i was involved with marching band, ROTC drill teams, and many other after school activities that had me traveling around the city.

What should determine if the kid is ready for a cell phone is their responsibility level. Will they use it in class, or when it is inappropriate? Are they able to recognize that cell phones are not free, and that the money has to come from somewhere.

If you decide that the kid wants a cell phone, i would suggest getting one of those pay as you go phones. That way, they are responsible for their minutes, and you can limit how much time they can be on their phones.

Answer 2

when they are old enough to pay for it themselves. unless you get them one of those phones with the three buttons on it, for home and emergency services...

Answer 3

depends on how responsible the child is. I let my daughters have one at age 12.

Answer 4

13

Answer 5

Get them one of the new phones that only allows like 3 numbers to be called...Parents, 911, and one other number. THat way you are controling how your child is using their phone and you wont end up with a $500 phone bill!!

Answer 6

concider this:

1 what is the need?

is it for freinds ? or emergencies?

Some cell phones are programmes only to dial 2 numbers ( mom and dad)

2: is teh child responsible?

will it get lost, damaged, abused?

3 is it alloud where they will be most the time.

does the school allow cell phones?

Answer 7

As soon as they can pay for their own minutes.

Answer 8

A child should NOT have a cell phone until they are about 16 to 17 years of age.

The reason being RADIATION. Scientists have determined that there is a risk factor for younger children who's brains are still developing / growing.

It seems most people tend to ignore these warnings - and time will tell if the scientist's concerns are warranted.  The radiation exposure is not even good for adults IF they are on the cell phone very much.

However regardless - a child younger than 17 or 18 should not be allowed to just stay on the cell-phone with frequent calls during the day.  The more the exposure, the more risk of harm, including brain cancer.

Answer 9

It just depends on your child.  I got my oldest son a cell phone when he was 12 but that was because of his sports.  I wanted him to be able to call me when practice was over at school or when he would have something to do with his friends and I wanted him to be able to check in.  I have never regretted getting him one.

Answer 10

A child should not have a cell phone unless they are paying for it themselves - we as adults are too liberal by paying for everything that kids want to do or what they want to have. As a result of our spoiling our kids, they lose any touch with real world, and do not appreciate anything we do for them. Sooner or later, they have to learn how to be responsible for themselves - why not start early and teach them how to deal with disappointment and not tempt them by giving them things like cell phones that cost adults money that they can't really afford?

Answer 11

IMO - never.

If they need to call you from school, go to the office and call.  If they need to call from a movie theater or other place of business, go to the pay phone.  If they need to call from a friend's house, call from their phone.

Answer 12

real any age, get them a tracphone, net10, thats good start phones, how old is the child?

Answer 13

I let my son have one at 12 years old.  But, he has the pre-paid kind.  He does chores for money and we use the money he has earned to buy minutes.  This way HE is responsible for the phone.  I feel better knowing he has the phone for when he's out riding his bike or something like that and he is learning how to be responsible.  

P.S. His one friend (who is also 12) got put on  his parents plan...needless to say the next phone bill was $297.00!!!  See why we do pre-paid?

Answer 14

I would say 13 or 14.  It would depend on how mature he or she is and how many activities they are involved with.  No later than 16 because they should be driving by then and you aren't with them all the time.