What age would be appropriate for a cellphone?

Question

what age???? I was thinking starting at 10 and a half or 11 because that's when they become getting into more activities and that's when practice ends early and blah blah blah...

Answer 1

ya ten is a good age

Answer 2

like 10 or 11

Answer 3

middle school is always good, jus make sher they have restricted minutes

Answer 4

OMG.  Our 8 year old has been asking for one!  We keep telling her no.  We told her she doesn't need on until she is old enough for afterschool activities and needs to call us to pick her up.  My friend just got her 5th grade son a cell phone for his birthday.  I like the way she did it.  She got a prepaid phone and started him with something like 120 minutes, but explained to him that each minute costs money.  She told him that he will be responsible for buying the minutes from now on with his allowance.  I think middle school is a good time.

Answer 5

I honestly believe that a child should not have a cell phone until they are old enough to have a job and pay the bill.  Before that time, they should never be somewhere where there arent any adults, therefore they would not need their own cell phone.

Answer 6

4th or 5th grade.

I got one at 11

My sister and brother got one this year and their in 4th and 5th.

They have unlimited texting and so did I.

My rents told me to wait until I was 14 but when I didnt have one and I was babysitting they gave in and I LOVED THEM!

Answer 7

12 or 13

Answer 8

I really think 13 but theres another thought which is the way i got my phone:

If everyone has a cellphone but them in the family and their the only ones who use the home phone a cell phone would be cheaper than keeping the home phone if their the only one's who use home phone.

My sister,mom, and dad all had cells and i was the only one who used the home phone so my mom figured its cheaper just to lose the home phone and get cells. Allot of families have done it in the 21st century.

Answer 9

i got mine at age 8 or 9 but now i dont have a cellphone and i am 15. i think the best age is when they know how to be responsible and that might be at 16 and above.

Answer 10

I think it all depends on the maturity of a child. Does s/he need one for any reason? Can you trust them not to go over their minutes? Will they be able to handle the responsibility. When you answer yes to all 3, then go ahead, if not, then wait until you find them ready.

Answer 11

i gave mine one at middle school.. for the reasons you just gave:)

Answer 12

Whenever they are responsible enough and can pay for it.

That can vary anywhere from 11 to 17, really.

Answer 13

I think it depends on your kid. If your kid would actually USE it at 10 and a half or 11, then that's when you should get one for them. I wouldn't get one for him/her unless you're prepared to give them a lot more freedom. A lot of the kids I know get them when they're 11 or 12.

Answer 14

when you think that they are responsible enough, or when the need arises.

Answer 15

My son just turned 10 and I got him a cell phone for Christmas.  He's been pretty good with it so far, he's not abusive of the minutes and I pay extra for unlimited texts.  It depends on the kid, if they are responsible then go for it.

Answer 16

It depends on the situation and the kid. My cousin had to walk home from school when she was 9 so her parents got her one. 10 sounds reasonable to me =)

Answer 17

When your child is 16 years old they are hopefully responsible and asre old enough to have a cell. They can pay their own cell phone bills at that age too.

Answer 18

Yeah,  I say whenever you feel like it would be much more convenient for you as far as reaching them after school or when they are with friends.  I think maybe 12 years old...haha, but I did not get one until I started driving!

Answer 19

yea you could get one of those kids phones where they can only call the numbers programed in the phone. I think an appropriate age for those are probably about 8 or so.

Answer 20

I bought my daughter a cell phone for christmas 06, it didn't last long.  It was only prepaid but she didn't use her phone the way I told her to so she could save minutes.  She was 9 then, I'm thinking about getting her another one maybe for her birthday in July she will be 11.

Answer 21

When the child starts going out on their own, and you want them to be able to contact you anytime of the day, where ever they are... When I was younger, my parents said I didn't need one till I had my license and was going out places on my own... but times have changed... It's totally your decision.

I think it really all depends on how responsible your child is.

Answer 22

17

Answer 23

Ya I think about 11. Whenever you start middle school. That is when most  kids start getting one, of course there are always the kids who will get it before that but it doesnt mean they are ready for one or need it.

Answer 24

The appropriate time for cell phones is when your child is busy after school with activities that your child may need to contact you for. I would say no earlier than 11, the start of middle school, or at least when your child tries out and makes a sports team. It would be a great birthday surprise anywhere between 11-14 years old. I know my brother did not receive one until age 18, but that's because my mom was stubborn. Overall, I believe age 11 is best.

Answer 25

My parents first gave me a cell phone when I was 15. But it is matter of responsibility and care for the phone and its bill.

Answer 26

I think it depends on the activites that he or she does... If he goes to the mall often, then buy him a cell phone! I got mine when I was 9 or 10...

Answer 27

My kid got one at 10 when she visited her dad, out of state during the summer. Its on our plan and a cheap phone.

She has lots of rules. It can't be on at school, can't even be out of her back pack or the teacher removes them. After school she can call if rides are beeded, things change, etc. Evenings its pretty much on the charger. Weekends she can carry and use it. If she is outside she must have it.

Answer 28

yes this sounds about right, although there are also special phones mad specifically for younger kids if U want to give one to someone younger.

Answer 29

I didn't have a cell phone until I was 22, and I never ended up stranded or abandoned anywhere.  I also never racked up a ridiculous text messaging bill, got in trouble for having a cell phone in school, or stuck my folks with the bill when I lost or broke it.  Just some things to consider...

Answer 30

maybe at 11

Answer 31

My husband and I havn't we talked that much about it. But we both agree that our children will have one when they enter 7th grade.