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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607 Posted by sweetielol2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:51PM EDT Report Abuse
i got a cell phone a year ago when i was twelve and my parents put me on their family plan with unlimited texting but they text more than me and i also think that its all a matter of how responsible the child is when i started middle school i wouldn't know if one of my parents were coming to pick me up or if i was walking or waiting at the park in front of my school so yeh its all about how resposible they are
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608 Posted by pamgrier14 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:59PM EDT Report Abuse
My 10 year old has a cell phone,it's for contact with me to know when the school bus leaves school.He also calls me to let me know if they're in traffic and when they are close to the the bus stop so I can meet him and his sister.It's a pay-as-you-go phone so the cost is fantastic(only putting $10 monthly on it).He is very responsible and I know he won't abuse the privilege.My daughter gets one when I feel she is responsible.She might get one at 10,it all depends on her maturity.You know your child and what their capabilities are as far as each situation comes up.
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609 Posted by towncottages on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:18PM EDT Report Abuse
I believe that the right age for a child to get a cell phone is 13. That is when they start to got out with their firends more and are in the situation of needing one. Many people think that 16 is the right age because that is when you get your license. 16 is waaayy to old to be getting your first one. They would have been in high school for 2 and a half years and not have had one. Say your child can't get a phone because of the bill is a old and actually quite stupid excuse. The are many ways for you to work around that. When giving the child the phone just say that there is no texting and no sending pictures, or buying ringtones unless they have the money to pay for all of that. Or just give them unlimited texting and picture sending that way you will only hav eto pay an extra $10 instead of and extra $100 of unwanted text messages. Parents get their children cell phones at many different ages depending on how they parent their child. That age for a phones might be 7 years old or maybe 17. It really just depends. But I think that 13 is the right age because the child now a teenager and is now in middle school. I would also say that it is the majority of when parents get their kids a cell phone. All parents want to know that their child is safe and in a situation where they can call at anytime to get in contact with them. Not only is it a good idea to get your kid a phone at 13, but it will also make them very happy and excited to know that they have one. I have a 13 year old and a 16 year old and i know that it is so much better knowing that I can get ahold of them when i need to. It makes life so much more easier, by not having to worry!!!!
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610 Posted by angelbabii13o13 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:54PM EDT Report Abuse
No child should be let a cell phone. The perfect age, from my point of view is 16, when driving comes along (dates, parties, job). At the age of 11 or 12 or younger or older, children have no reason to need a cell phone, extra curricular activities have an ending time, usually around late afternoon at a certain time. Thats all thats to it. If you are giving your young children cell phones at this young age, what do they have to look forward to when they get older?
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611 Posted by flippingflower32 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:00PM EDT Report Abuse
Theres no real age for a kid to have a cell phone. Whenever the kid is responsible enough to own one. But I would say around 11,12 and 13 because kids start getting into sports, hanging with there friends and they need the safety to contact there parents just incase something happened. But they dont need these really nice and expensive phones. They can get a cheap useful one for emergencies and stuff.
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612 Posted by jd_1876 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:31PM EDT Report Abuse
As almost everyone says, it depends on the family's needs. Personally, in my family there is an autistic boy. I try to take my cell phone to stores and places like that just in case my autistic brother runs off. If he does, I can just call my mother and tell her if I found him and where. I have had a GoPhone (AT&T) since I was 10. This works for our family, maybe a 10-year-old in another family doesn't need a cell phone (e. g. home-schooled, 1 weekly extracurricular activity, few friends, no siblings...)
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613 Posted by tgrant4190 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:02PM EDT Report Abuse
Kids should have a cell phone if they are responsible enough to keep up with them and not use all their minutes in a day or two. My daughter is 13 and has one due to someone checking her out of school and the school not checking this person's ID to make sure she could pick up my child. Also if something happens at school she can always call me and I'll be there, so I think kids should have a cell.
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614 Posted by cuzrickylickingood on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:32PM EDT Report Abuse
i think it really depends on the family's financial situation, im 17 and my parents got me a prepaid phone when i was in 8th grade i used my minutes too quick just talking to family.after that i have had about 10 phones but i am responsible with my minutes now i have unlimited text messaging and about 450 minutes and i only use about 150 minutes a month all my friends have text messaging so its alot easier and most people i talk to have verizon also but then again elementary school kids dont need exspensive smart phones they need the basics of being able to call pick up and thats it
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615 Posted by an_sel440 on Thu May 21, 2009 6:06PM EDT Report Abuse
I bought my 11 year old a full keyboard picture phone. Its all in one, now we don't have to buy multiple things, like an MP3 player, or a Camera! And my son doesn't abuse his phone, he uses it in the car or at home when hes bored. He's an extremely social kid, and it works for him he can call his friends to hang out at the tennis court, or to call us when he's ready to get picked up from the movies. It works out excellent infact, we bought an extra line and unlimited texting, he doesn't text constantly. In my day though we didn't have cell phones to call our parents when we broke our coller bone, or to call our friends to see if their available to play. It's an easy cell-phone and Im glad I bought it.
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616 Posted by peacefurpuppies on Tue Jul 21, 2009 9:14PM EDT Report Abuse
kids need cell phones. u r stupid
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617 Posted by kristyhooks425 on Sat Oct 17, 2009 12:24AM EDT Report Abuse
To all parents who have muliple children OR have one child that is "product" of a divorce! My child will be 7 in January and she has requested to have a cell phone Not because " daddy & step mom are mean to her or that her Older cheerleading friends have one" but because she wants the ability to call me when she is missing me or to chat or share her day with me that she normally wouldnt be "able" to do because she wouldnt want her dad or step mother to feel uncomfortable! Whether or not you raise your kids to "society's standards!" When they feel the need to b more in tuch with you, give them that! It might not be for long!
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618 Posted by mshighyellow58 on Tue Oct 20, 2009 11:50AM EDT Report Abuse
i am a mother with a 6yeaar old and e kow how to usemy cell phone and the house phone so i think that if u teach your kids the how to use them and when to use them thye learn the real meaning ofthem in my case he ues mine for 911 nd i am proud of him for remembering how to use it he save my life in both case thank u dekobe walker mommy love u . so my point is 5 when the start school . at leas show them ow to use them it never to early
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606 Posted by kristenw728@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:53PM EDT Report Abuse
I think kids at age twelve should have a cell. It makes it easier for them to reach either mom or dad after school. My daughter is twelve and she has a cell phone. We think it is much easier to communicate with her now. Right after school she calls to tell me that school just got out. So i tell her to wait at the library for me. Kids should be thankful that they have a cell phone. So make the right choice and get either your son or daughter a cell phone.