When is the right age to get a child a cell phone?

Question

My niece is 11 years old and my brother got her a cell phone. I think it's ridiculous. Why would she even need one? It's not like she's alone or would ever need it, except to play with it or mess around with. I know it's none of my business, I was just curious what you all think about it.

Answer 1

I think it's OK, she is old enough to know if she breaks or loses it, her parents will not buy her another one, she will have to buy one out of her own money or go without one. Also, if there is an emergancy it will be very useful to her.

Answer 2

16

Answer 3

I completely agree with you!  I hear parents saying all the time, "This way I can get ahold of them when I need to."  Ever heard of a land-line?  I truly think it is a mistake to give young people that much privacy and room to hang themselves.  Don't get me wrong, I think children need some element of privacy, but this is too much.  I truly believe cell phones are a major contribution to why so many young people have a lack of responsibility.  They aren't expected to be where they said they would be in case the parent calls, they can call from where ever they are and lie about it.  The worst part of it is, there is that it makes it even more difficult for the parents to monitor the usage of the phone, as well as who the child is talking to.  It's just crazy!

When I was younger, and had activities after school, my parents tended to know when and where to pick me up . . . so I didn't have to call them.  They also knew where I was . . . so I didn't have to call them.  I guess you get the point.

Okay, so to answer your question.  At what age do I believe a cell phone is appropriate?  Probably around the driving age.  I think it is good to have a phone handy in case of an emergency. . . but even then, I'm not sure it should "belong" to the child.  I don't plan on ever getting my kids  a cell phone.  I may loan them mine if there is an occasion that I think they will need it.  However, if they pay for it themselves, that is a different story.

Answer 4

46

Answer 5

I don't think kids should have one until they are old enough to be alone, like say 13. It should be prepaid to avoid any bills, or until they can pay for it themselves.

Answer 6

After Schooling !

Answer 7

15 is fine

Answer 8

At least 12

Answer 9

My niece got one at 9 because she was in so many after school programs & the school was so mean about letting her use the phone to call home.  She still has one & she's 13 but she rarely uses it...

I think so long as mom/dad monitor the usage it's okay ....

I think when my kid is around 10 I'll get her one but she can only use it when necessary... and quick calls.... nothing over 5..6..7. minutes.. just a "hello mom I'm ready to get picked up" end of story.

Answer 10

I got a mobile [cell] when I was 9 because I was staying with my nan because my Mum worked so it was good to be able to let her know what was happening and everything during the week when I didn't see her [and still don't] until the weekend.

Answer 11

When they are old enough to pay for it....have seen too many parents stuck with outragous cell phone bills.

Answer 12

My son got his cell phone when he was almost 14 years old, towards the end of 8th grade year in middle school .  That year he was walking home from school, attended before and after school activities and for me, it gave me peace of mind to know that my son was okay or if he needed anything he could reach me or any of our family.

I think it depends upon the family circumstances and the affordability.  My son recently, who is almost 15 now went WAY over his text messages and now has to do some odd jobs to pay the bill.  It is a lesson that the parents have to provide to their child, because having a cell phone is a responsibility.

Answer 13

I believe the right age is ten because that is when they show very little traits of responsibility- keep reading

                                  When you give them a little more, they will know how to deal with it and learn how to take care of sonething a little mose costly than a puppy from grandma.

Answer 14

Haven't reached that yet. I'd probably say junior high.

Answer 15

i mean if she needs one then i understand. like if she plays sports and she needs one at practice or something then i understand. or if she needs to stay after school she has one. but if she is just getting one just to get one then no.

i got one in 5th grade because i was staying after school alot and playing sports and things in which i needed one. My parents did not just come up to me and give me one for no reason.

Answer 16

I Know that the right age to get a kid or your child a phone is when they are entering High School in 9th grade! thats when theyll really need it in case of emergencies or justto call their friends! But set a limit on calling friends!!!!

Answer 17

Actually a lot of kids that age these days are getting cell phones.

I think its the age. 11-13 they think there getting a lot more mature. They want a cell phone...ALL there SPOILD friends hav em. I think its an appropriate age, but for emergencies!

I'm not saying its ridiculous. But like around that age it would be okay to have one if they dont OVER use it and they are responsible

BUT if they dont need it, there not responsible and REALLY YOUNG then thats ridiculous.

Answer 18

It really depends.  Many kids are active socially and after school so a cell phone is handy

Answer 19

I agree with you that it's none of your business.

We got our child a cell phone at the age of eleven, so we could reach her when she was out riding bikes with her friends, and so she would be able to reach us in case of emergency.

Answer 20

my children will get a cell phone when they start driving.  that way they can let me know they are okay.

Answer 21

I have a 9yr old. I drop him off and pick him from school everyday, right now. When he is able to go to school by himself, I'm getting him a cell phone. I know I'd be worried sick, wondering if he got home alright and the cell phone would give me a bit of comfort.

My neice is 15. She got a cell phone when she was 13 and started catching the school bus to school.

Answer 22

a "track phone" might be approproate.  some parents feel the need to know where there children are, and by buying a track phone, they can limit their minutes to calls to family only.  People these days think "Oh, my kid needs a phone becuase they aren't home".  Kids were not home 30 years ago and they got along just fine.  I believe that a "real" cell might be needed in high school, but no earlier

Answer 23

She doesn't need a cellphone in school because she can't be able to call on it. The school will take it away if they see it. My mother's friend's son is only 9 years old and he has a cellphone. He rarely touches it.

Answer 24

if she is in middle school she will need it because it is a right of passage in middle school so 11-13 is a good age to get a kid a cell

Answer 25

I don't think that's an appropriate age, either. It depends on how mature a child is, but a good age is about 16, when they can contribute to paying for it. Eleven year olds are definitely not mature enough for a cell phone.

Answer 26

I would say sometime around high school age OR if the child is very responsible, then if they are a little younger it would be OK.

Answer 27

well i live in england so the school year groups are different but i wasnt allowed a phone of my own until i was in high school( in england thats when your 11) but from year 4 (age 8) i was allowed my families second hand ones 4 the fun of it.

i got 1 in high school because i had more responisibility, i was 2 and from school my myself and was allowed 2 town and the park with friend. so you should give your child a phone of there own wen they have the responsibility. so wen eva you let your child have a bit of "give" they need a phone 2 let you no where they are. but u can give them say your old phone about 2 or 3 years before you let them these responsibilities

Answer 28

I have an 8yr old who has been begging for a cell phone, but no way is she going to get one due to the lack of necessity. She's a childish 8yr old so I don't feel she's ready. However, I have a co-worker that has a 9yr old, very mature, daughter who she got a cell phone. She claims its necessary because she only uses it to let her know when she has made it to after-school care and things of that nature. She also said that she want to be able to communicate with her daughter at all times. I still feel it is not necessary until you have a child that's older (13 at least) that maybe rides the bus home from school or participates in after school activities. Things of that nature. To purchase a cell phone for a young child that wants it because "everyone else has one" is not a good reason. If they just want to talk on the phone, they can wait until they get home so they're not distracted from education. I know that if they have cell phones they will begin to use them in class (text messaging...). With that said, I think that there should be a true reasonable purpose when children are given cell phones.

Answer 29

If she's never somewhere without an adult who's responsible for her, she doesn't need it.  Some kids that age, though, may take public transportation to or from school, or may walk to school, etc.  I see nothing wrong with getting them one of those cellphones that calls only mom, dad, or 911 under those circumstances.

I see no reason to get three of my kids cellphones before highschool.  My other kid has a life-threatening medical condition that can come on very suddenly.  By the time she's in middle school wandering between classes, I will have her have a cellphone for calling me or 911 only ... because the five minutes she might take to go get help from an adult could be the difference between life and death.  So sometimes I do believe there are special circumstances.  

But I can't think of any circumstances where an 11-year-old would need a cellphone to chat with friends.

Answer 30

I got my first one when I was a junior in high school and I think that was fine. I think it's good to have one when you can drive.

Answer 31

I dont agree with getting young children regular cell phones because they dont need to be calling their friends on it or texting, but I think one of those kid phones, where there is only 3 numbers programed in it for emergencies, with all the school shootings and terrorists acts we have in our country, that isn't such a bad idea.