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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  • 6 Posted by sfazncitygurl on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think once the kid starts high school would be a good time to give him or her a cell phone. High school is when you seriously need a cell phone with all the extra-curriculars. (If your middle school child has many extra-curriculars, then that's a good time to give it to them too). Once the "child" has gone to college and hopefully gotten a part-time job, he or she should at least pay for that 9.99 part of the plan. A good time to ask if you could break off, if desired, would be when he or she enters the workforce as a college graduated.

  • 7 Posted by rrktrk on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think that when kids entered middle school is a good age for a cell phone, thats what I did!! its a good way to keep in touch while we are at work, my daughter calls me before going into her classroom every morning & at the time that she gets off, I know where she is or if she needs me!! its a perfect way to have a peace of mind when I need to know how is she doing during the day. she will be 12 yrs. old this month and I am happy that she has her cell phone.

  • 8 Posted by wzp1992 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    I'm a Chinese junior high school student. It 's also a problem that students get a cell phone when they're still young. 1/2 pocess a cell phone. 1/3 bring it to school. Although it's fobbiden at school. I think there is no necessary for young kids to have cell phones. Maybe a ideal age ought to be 16(enter senior high school).

  • 9 Posted by pemc1254 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    My daughter is 11 and going into the sixth grade at middle school. My husband and I are adding her on to our family share plan because she will be joining some of the clubs her middle school offers after classes. She takes a school bus to and from school and although there are late buses that provide transportation for children who take advantage of after-school activities, the buses follow only a basic route. Therefore my daughter will be dropped off at the beginning of our development rather than right in front of our house. If I am not able to meet her at the bus stop, she will have to walk a block. I feel more comfortable knowing she has a cell phone and that I can talk to her while she walks.

  • 10 Posted by donnatunno on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    My 2 children have cell phones, at ages 11 and 12. I got them the pay as you go type to teach them to budget their time. It really works well when they have sports or scouts. I can get a few things done and the kids will call when they need to be picked up. It also worked out for my neighbor when their son took a fall off his scooter on the street behind us. He was able to call and get help. Yes he could have call from somone's house there but in the age where we tell our kids watch out for strangers... I do not believe the kids should have them in school, let them keep them in their lockers for after school activities but no in the classrooms or hallways during school hours.

  • 11 Posted by sha_jones1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    In my opinion children should not have a cell phone period. I don't have any children of my own but my younger cousins that range from ages 8 to 13 all had cell phones and they either broke them or lost the phone young children are not reponsible enough for a cell phone. Yes in this time cell phones are important but its not nessary for a 5 year old or even a child in elementry school to have one. when the children reach age 16 in high school that is when I believe that they should be able to have a phone. These children do not understand the importance of a phone.

  • 12 Posted by oceanwaves8288 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:43PM EDT Report Abuse

    Im a kid and I think it's great to keep on contact and if something bad happens you dont have to borrows someone's phone. If you think your kid is spending two much time on the cell phonelike calling, messaging,etc. You should buy a go phone.

  • 13 Posted by cinderella3308 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:25PM EDT Report Abuse

    i think if they wont one then why not its a phone not pot please come on

  • 14 Posted by lilihurt on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think buying a child a cell phone depends on the families needs. I have 2 children ages 10 and 8. My son, who is now ten has had a cell phone since the age of 7. We are from a single family home and my children do lots of extra activities which is the time I use to work out or do my own homework. My son has only had to use the phone a handful of times but it makes me feel safe to know I can reach them if I'm running late to pick them up for. 10 extra dollars a I think it's worth it. He doesn't abuse the phone and has only lost the phone once. My daughter will join in the family plan next month since she now will ride the school bus.

  • 15 Posted by prb4321 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:18PM EDT Report Abuse

    i think the age for a teenager should be 15 from prb4321

  • 16 Posted by kjlsbt on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    ok i am a teenager and i do have a cellphone and i have one of those pay as you go phones. i dont see the big deal of kids getting a cellphone, if your afraid they are gonna run up your celphone bill there is your answer a pay as you go phone.

  • 17 Posted by ooxmeimeixoo on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    i got a cell phone when i was 12. i think it was good since my parent's didn't pick me up from school they could always know where i was just by calling me i've had four phones since then and i've only lost one but i got it back i think it all depends on how responsible that child is

  • 19 Posted by kalynn0225@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Funny, you may think you know where they are but you really don't. Many kids say they are one place but are really somewhere else. When they tell me they are at someone's home I get the house number and call that to make sure.

  • 20 Posted by bosslady680 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    My husband and I are both full time employees. Our oldest child is 17 and he has a cell phone. This year we got our youngest a cell phone. 12 years old. People in todays world are nuts. If there is an emergency, we want our son to be able to contact us. Our son has mom, dad, brother, aunt programed in phone and it is a tracker. We feel better knowing that he has it.

  • 21 Posted by tinkerbellstar182@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:10PM EDT Report Abuse

    I think a 13year old is old enough because if they want to go to the mall(which they usally do) they need cell phone in case of emergencies. We dont have enough money to spare for pay-phones. And at the mall near my house lots of kis be up there, and you never know what could happen. Kids just need one for safety precautions no matter how old they are, but mainly 13.

  • 23 Posted by cromeens.family@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:31PM EDT Report Abuse

    My older kids (14&17) both have cell phones. I believe that it is a safety issue for my 17 yr. old when she is coming in late from a Friday night game (band) and driving home. For my 14 yr. old who plays Jr. High football, he can call just before he gets back to school and someone can be waiting when he gets there. When my 10 yr. old becomes active in extracurricular activities, she will have one also. In this day and age, it really is a safety thing.

  • 24 Posted by xvash2@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    It depends on their maturity. Can they handle the responsibility, or will they just go apenuts and call everybody in the US, while downloading that game that was marked up at an insane price? Its about being mature and responsible. If your child is 8 and can be both, then fine. Get them a cell phone. But if they're 15 and are the most immature little creatures ever, show them instead to the board games.

  • 25 Posted by ygales2@sbcglobal.net on Mon Aug 28, 2006 9:15PM EDT Report Abuse

    I am 14, I have had a cell phone since middle school. I use it to call my mother and or father so I know when and where they are picking me up. I rarely use it to call friends, only when I am away from home. When my parents and I are traveling we use it to call the relatives and let them know how far away we are. I don't use it at school unless I need to call my mom for verification etc. I think kids shoul NOT use cell phones at home, they should talk on their home phone. I cant use my phone for text messaging or any of that, I am not allowed. It is not a camera phone either. Soon I hope to get a RAZr. But anyway, cell phone use really depends on why and when your kids need it.

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