Kids + Cell Phones: What Age Is the Right Age?
Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:09PM EDT
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Speaking of cell phones and kids...
Shaun of Virginia writes: Do you think a 12-year-old 6th grader should have a cell phone? Why? The school doesn't allow them. Who are they going to call that they can't call from a home phone? For me, 16 is the right age for a cell phone, when they are driving and need to call home for help or to report in.
This is the kind of question that does not have one, neat answer. There is no perfect age for a first cell phone. Deciding when to give children cell phones is an individual family choice, and it depends on lots of variables.
Some parents give in to kids' requests for cell phones as cool accessories. Others opt for a family plan because everyone in the family is off in different directions on weekdays; parents want the peace of mind of knowing their children can reach them in a moment's notice if needed, and they can call them, too.
For young children enrolled in after-school programs, or who move between divorced parents' homes, having a phone can be a good idea. For one family, 8 might be the right age; for another, 16.
If you're weighing whether to add cell phones for your kids, here are a few questions to ask:
• How and when will they use the phones? Are the phones for emergency use only or for communicating with friends, too?
• What is the entire monthly cost, including fees, text messaging, photos, ringtone and music downloads? Know what you're getting into as you add a sizeable monthly expense to the family budget.
• Will your child, especially a teenager who is earning money, contribute to the family cell plan?
My oldest is 13 and she doesn't have a cell phone yet. But I've been researching the best cell phone plan for her and our budget. More and more, there are lots of times when she is out and about and we would all feel better if she had a phone so she could reach us easily if needed.
What's the right age for kids to have cell phones in your home?
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2 Posted by reiderfhs on Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:11PM EDT Report Abuse
When I was in middle school, cell phones existed, but weren't terribly big yet, and There were many times that my ride home wouldn't be at the school by the time the office closed for the day. Back then that was my only phone to use, and I hated being a kid and not knowing when I'd actually be going home. I don't think there is an age for a cell phone, More like the point that a child is responsible enough that they can use it to call mom and dad or relatives' phones, and won't over abuse their minutes *or mom and dad's wallet*.
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3 Posted by meta.valent on Wed Aug 23, 2006 7:42PM EDT Report Abuse
Then there's the flip-side. When do you STOP paying for that kid phone? 20? 21? 23? After college? Should a cell phone be contingent upon college enrollment? What if the kid blows off college and doesn't work ... or DOES work but has almost no clue about how to manage money and therefore skates along as if cell phones are free? "Family plans" are great until families have to make the economically inefficient choice of handing the cost off to the allegedly-adult child. It's hard to justify ANOTHER $69 base fee when single add-on phones are only $9.99; but paying for the kids phone until they are 30 is probably not a better answer. So, think ahead. There's both an ENTRY strategy and an EXIT strategy in this "calling of age" phenomenon.
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4 Posted by rexerocks on Thu Aug 24, 2006 9:40PM EDT Report Abuse
YES KIDS SHOULD HAVE CELL PHONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love it when kids do...they are easier to keep in contact with, and you know exactly where they are at all times!
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5 Posted by wweatallcost on Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:53AM EDT Report Abuse
Depending how much you trust your kid you could try a pre-paid cell phone at first. That way they know exactly how much time they *and yourself know* how much time is on the phone. It helps in responsibilty. I have a pre-paid because I don't want to deal with a phone company *that and I'm a college student*. Also you get pre-paid cells just about anywhere. I got mine for about $70 at wal-mart and it included a $15 dollars worth of minutes card and a t-mobile to-go phone. If you do online pay *it's makes buying min. much easier* because you can go to their website and put more min. onto the phone. You can also have your kids learn to pay for it on their own by saving change from their lunch money,doing extra chores, or even using their allowances*which is always good to learn* and give it to you to pay for the minutes. Really it all just depends on when you think to time to give them a phone and what your budget allows.
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1 Posted by mdmc97013 on Wed Aug 23, 2006 5:12PM EDT Report Abuse
We have three kids ages 8, 12, and 15. We have a family plan that has the two youngest using a "kids" phone that only allows them to call out to 4 preprogrammed numbers. Since we are a divorced household, this plan works well, allowing the two youngest to contact either set of parents or grandma if needed, and allowing us to contact them. Our daughter, age 15, has a fully functional phone with all the text and picture messaging capabilities. We cover the basic monthly cost for her. She pays $5 monthly and any extra charges due to downloading or excessive messaging. She earns some money for babysitting, so we feel this is a good way to teach her financial responsibility and self-discipline. All three have after school athletic, musical and educational activities, and my wife and I are active also, so this plan allows all to stay in touch and feel safe.