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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Comments on Kids + Cell Phones: What Age Is the Right Age?
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47 Posted by preity_chabz on Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:24PM EDT Report Abuse
I believe that it all depends on how dependable the child is. First of all your child could be doing wrong things with the cell phone(if you know what I mean) and then there is a benifit that your child could call you if there is any problem. There both opposite reasons one is a good reason and the other bad. Cell phones are too be held in responsilbe hands not just to call/text msg friend,boyfriend, or girlfriends. Therefore I think that the age that a child could get a cell phone is at 17 or 18 and they could afford to pay for themsleves:)
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48 Posted by avamiedzinskidds on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:59PM EDT Report Abuse
I got my daughter a cellphone when she went away to a highschool in another state for the eleventh grade. Before that, she used payphones and calling cards. Since she has had her cellphone, the bills have been unreal. She and her friends are always talking on their phones. If they all had the same company server, the minutes wouldn't add up the way they do. I also didn't let my daughter get her driver's license until she turned 18. She was the only one in her driving classes this summer who is in college. She got her license on Friday. She's 18 and a half. If I could do it over again, the only difference I'd make would be to get her a plan for her phone with more free minutes. I'm so glad I didn't let her get her driver's license before this. I had to play taxi driver a lot, but it was worth it to know who she was going out with and where they were going, and I often went along too. I just got her a new cellphone and it's the most expensive plan, but hopefully, the bills won't be so high. Of course, now she wants a car, too. I told her to ask me in another year. By then, I'll see how well she is working her way through college and saving her money.
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49 Posted by rebeccadarling@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:33PM EDT Report Abuse
I have one and I'm 13 but I only use it if I stay after school or have an emergency of some sort when I don't have money for the pay phone or something bad has happened. Judgeing on when to give a kid a ceel depends on if that kid is responseable and can be trusted haveing their own phone.
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50 Posted by mom3gd@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:24PM EDT Report Abuse
I have 3 kids,14,8,and6.My14 year old worked all summmer and was allowed to buy a pay as you go phone.She buys her own miutes,ringtones etc.However now that my eight year old is starting to go with friends I added an extra phone to my plan so that he feels safe when he's away from his father and I.It's my phone and he's allowed to take it with him when he's out and give it back when he's home.This is the system that works best for my home.I will probably have the youngest do the same until they can earn their own phone too.
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51 Posted by ramondelacruz@sbcglobal.net on Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:26PM EDT Report Abuse
Look my little sisters have cellphones one is in seventh grade and one is in twelveth. They are both shearing minutes and the oldest wasts the monst so I guess any Age cane be good
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52 Posted by rookiema1983 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:51PM EDT Report Abuse
im a 13 year old boy...i have a cell phone. honestly its starts getting important for a kid around 12 to get a cell phone, if u understand my reasoning...kids need cell phones to call home for a ride or to ask if they can be picked up from school or go to a friends house BEFORE you get there, its convenient for them and you! try the cingular firely (4 programmed numbers, easier than normal cell phone, but it looks nerdy if a 13 year old has one!)
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53 Posted by pastorboy1986 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:00PM EDT Report Abuse
I think that 15-16 years old is a perfect age for kids because of driving around. I'm 20 and I did not have a cell phone at the age of 13. Who was I gonna call? I was in School. Now like every rule there is an exception. If an adult is a single parent then any age above 10 is reasonable because there is really no one else to give your kids permission for things.
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54 Posted by nickzen2u@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:37PM EDT Report Abuse
For a high school age student in urban America, it seems mandatory for safety. I tell my daughter to keep her phone with her at ALL times and be ready to use it. We have no choice as our finances require us to send our children to public schools, with all the crime, gangs, drugs and sex involved. In some schools 8th grade is where it gets real bad, so 12 or 13 would be my answer. I our communities they aren't a status symbol, there a lifeline.
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55 Posted by r.harrison75@sbcglobal.net on Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:27PM EDT Report Abuse
I agree with what the general comments are- my kids are 13, 11, 8, and 3 months. I don't think you should give a kid a cell phone just for the heck of it, or because they say 'everyone has one!'.... Use common sense and ask yourself what the pro's and cons are. I think the best bet for those under 16 (and probably some form of income) go with prepaid mobile, or 'firefly' phones. Beats having your home phone tied up all the time, or having to worry about whether or not they can have access a phone when they're away from home. If you remember having to ask your kids repeatedly "why didn't you call me?".... time to get them a cell phone.
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56 Posted by randy-diane@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:29PM EDT Report Abuse
We gave our oldest son a cell phone when he turned 16 and got his driver's license. Before that, he was either someplace that had a phone, or with someone else who had a phone. His younger brother knows that the same rule will apply to him. I do not approve of kids having cell phones without limits, I know one young girl who spends most of her time either on her phone or text messaging. When our sons pay for their own phones they may use them as much as they like. Until then, there will be limits.
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57 Posted by rcassis@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:31PM EDT Report Abuse
Children are children. And naturally they get intimidated when they see other classmates or friends using or showing off their brand new one of a kind picture and textmessagiing phones. Of course in this century, many children are excessivley spoiled. From computers to play stations, you name it and they have it. But purchasing a cellphone for your child is a big step. You must consider a few things. Firstly, do you consider your children to be responsible enough to not blow the roof off your house with texting and overtime on their minuites? Second of all, what will they be using it for? And last is it appropriate for their age? For example, a cell phone is not suitable for a seven or eight yearold no matter what the circumstances. Finally make sure to enforce rules and pay close attention to be sure that your children adhere by to those rules. The point is that there is no appropriate age for a child to get a cellphone it just depends on the circumstances that are causing or keping you from buying one.
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58 Posted by staceyrscruggs on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:39PM EDT Report Abuse
In our area there is a cell phone service that has a flat rate for all local and long distance phones and the fee is & $60 a month. Which includes texting and picture sending and the ringtones are like 3 for $12.99 which we get like once every 4 months. Our children are ages two at 15 and then a 14 and a 13. This has been a wonderful addition to our family because we don't really use the home phone so this bill I send like $20 every three months to pay on. I can text the kids while they are at school (which is a hard place to get in touch with your children at) and tell them something that I need for them to know before they get home. The cell phone has become a blessing in our family because I really can find my children at any given time when they are out and about there little teenage lives. I wouldn't trade in that choice I made for anything.
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59 Posted by jamiepeppas@verizon.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse
Until I can be assured there is no risk to a child's brain from electromagnetic radiation, I will not feel comfortable allowing my child to use a cell phone. I believe in England, children are not allowed to use cell phones for this reason, but in the U.S., big businesses profit motives supercede concern about our children's health and well-being. How unfortunate.
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60 Posted by michellerottach@prodigy.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:18PM EDT Report Abuse
I think the Disney phone with GPS tracking so you know exactly where your child is at all times would be wonderful for teenagers.
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61 Posted by thirstyservant@sbcglobal.net on Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:28PM EDT Report Abuse
I'm 16 now, and my parents gave me a cell phone when I turned 15. Looking back on that now, I didn't absolutely need one at the time, but I desperately wanted one, and reflecting on it now,I could never do a day without my cell phone right there in my pocket. I've become totally dependent on it in several ways. It's like a reliable all-in-one super handy life saver. I am actively involved in my church youth group, I lead our youth worship team and play for the church band on Wednesdays. I've got a lot of different things going on throughout the week, and having my phone helps me keep on top of things and keep in touch. For whatever reason, my parents decided to get my 12-year-old brother his own cell phone back in April. (It wasn't his birthday or anything special.) I think that's ridiculous. He's 12. He doesn't do anything. He doesn't need a phone. He uses it to chat with his friends, and that's it. I never use my cell just to call and chat with friends. That's what the home phone is for. Anyways, I think kids should be able to have cells when they get involved in other things and have a reason for needing them. And no one who is 8 years old should never need a cell phone for any reason. That's just dumb.
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62 Posted by craziibabii720 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:30PM EDT Report Abuse
Being 17 i believe parents should allow their children to have cell phones around the time that they are entering high school. But, depending on the maturity and responsibily of their children, a year or two earlier wouldnt hurt.
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63 Posted by forceofnature30@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:01PM EDT Report Abuse
I have a 14 year old and an 11 yr old both of which have pre-paid cell phones. AS stated before, due to our circumstances, we agreed that they should have them. 1- we recently moved to a new state. Many of their friends back home have either a cell phone or access to one on the same plan. Since it is free mobile to mobile, this saves money in the long run for us. 2- There is no bus service in our area for school. They walk home and I want to be able to contact them. 3- My husband and I also have the same phone company so they can contact us at any time. We give our children an allowance of $30/month and they do fairly well with it. They know if they download ringtones that month, they will get to talk to their friends less. I really think it depends on the maturity of the child. If you believe your child can handle it, then I say it is a good idea. Pre-paid is a way to test their ability to manage minutes.
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64 Posted by rmenager@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:44PM EDT Report Abuse
I Think that children should get a cell phone as soon as they are part of any athletic proygram. It could be as early as 12. When they are away for games, a cell phone helps to keep in contact with home. It is reasuring to know that if at any time the child has a problem, he/she will be able to call home.
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65 Posted by gnbbill@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:10PM EDT Report Abuse
All my children received their cell phones when they attended middle school. That was when they were involved with more school activities and were away from home more often. My youngest child who is 10 only gets a cell phone when she goes away from the home for overnite stays or out for the day with friends.
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46 Posted by slepper125@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:27PM EDT Report Abuse
I am a wireless provider Customer service manager. The answer above is right. It depends on the individual circumstance. Be VERY carefull as a parent in turning your child lose with a cell phone because just like everything else, they are targeted by everyone from American Idol to joke a day ads on TV to Text vote, call in and get your "free" ringtone fine print at the bottom of the screen saying, by texting in your request for a "free" ringtone/game you are subscribing to their service at the rate as high as 9.99 per ringtone graphic that is renewable and billed on your cell bill EVERY month. I have seen bills where these downloads have billed hundreds even thousands of dollars on YOUR cell bill in additional charges. The Cell company did not charge these to you M-Qube and others like them are charging you. It is a real plight on our industry but it is a money maker and the companies are willing to put up with the hassle to get the extra revenue. Of course I deal with the parent who's "angel" wouldn't so that and doesn't know anything about it and is crying CREDIT IT. Most will do it one time but YOU the PARENT should know what your child is doing. Most Service Providers have online account managers that you can view your child most current activity and I would HIGHLY recommend you use it because it is going to be YOUR headache if you don't. Jack