Kids + Cell Phones: What Age Is the Right Age?
Wed Aug 23, 2006 1:09PM EDT
See Comments (618)
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?
Comments on Kids + Cell Phones: What Age Is the Right Age?
Post a Comment
Join in the discussion. Here you'll see the comments in the order they were posted.
-
2 Posted by reiderfhs on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:35PM 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*.
-
3 Posted by meta.valent on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:16PM 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.
-
4 Posted by rexerocks on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:37PM 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!
-
5 Posted by wweatallcost on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:51PM 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.
-
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.
1 Posted by mdmc97013 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:14PM 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.