When is a good age to get a cell phone for your child?

tater03 · 10-02-2006, 07:26 PM

I ask this because recently my seven year old is already starting to tell me that his friends have cell phones. I just feel this is to young of an age for a child to have a cell phone. Maybe I am wrong. What are your thoughts?

sweet_mayhem · 10-30-2006, 05:53 AM

actually, tater, we have the same thinking. i don't have yet my own children but when the time comes that i have my seven-year old child telling me the same thing, i don't think i would give in.... maybe i'll wait until his 10 or 11..i don't know, but my cousin eldridge got his cellphone when he was exactly 7 years old. my aunt and uncle gave him one not because he wanted one but for safety purposes..anyway, the good thing about it is eldridge rarely uses it, except to send text messges to his parents and probably to some of his friends..this is the reason why a part of me says that maybe i should consider givng my young child a cellphone if it's for the purpose of making him/her safe---that means i have to set boundaries in his/her use of it...

historylass · 10-31-2006, 04:19 AM

I think seven is too young for a child to have a cell phone. I think companies are now marketing for young children because they see it as an untapped market. But this doesn't necessarily mean that children need, or should have, a cellphone. Most kids have trouble looking after lunch-boxes and shoes, let alone a cellphone. I think the right age really depends on the child. Wait until they have proven that they can look after things and show some responsibility. When they prove themselves in other areas, think about a cellphone then.

laarni080 · 12-19-2006, 11:52 AM

Historylass has a point their, me neither ive got my first cellphone when i was 18 and i was 3rd year college then, and it was just a nokia 5110i. And then i bought a new phone when i had my work already and after 2 years i just replaced my phone last month, maybe for kids they are too young to use the cellphone, they must first prioritize their studies before anything else and when they graduate in college and had a regular work they can buy whenever they want to, the most hi-tech gadgets ever.

kelkat · 12-21-2006, 05:28 AM

I think kids should have their own general purpose cell phones only when they are able to pay the bill themselves.

Until then, one of those that will only call mom or emergency numbers is something I might consider for my children.

Mobile Brian · 12-28-2006, 10:39 AM

My 7 year old has also asked - one of her friends has one.

But the caveat is, her friend is basically allowed to wander the streets without supervision after her parents divorced. It could almost appear that the mum is using the mobile phone as parental responsiblity by proxy - rather than take time to be with her, she instead gives her a phone and the ability to call her if required.

No chance of a mobile phone my my daughter until she's older - and actually *needs* one.

laarni080 · 02-04-2007, 03:11 AM

Kelkat has a point their, and they should only be focusing on their studies. For kids they dont need cellphones in school because we know that the kids are already safe their and if there is a problem there is a landline phon ewhere they can contact you parents regarding your kids situation. Maybe in a right time they can used the cellphone where they can pay there own cellphone bills.

kelkat · 02-05-2007, 04:46 AM

I just saw a report where cell phones are becoming a cheating problem. Kids are using the camera to take pictures of their cheat sheets and then bringing the phones to class. Some cities are actually having to ban cell phones from the public schools.

taiarain · 02-12-2007, 08:24 PM

It really depends on a number of factors. In my area, many pre-teens are getting cell phones. Not because the parents don't want to parent, but because they want to be able to send their kids to the park or because they want their middle schoolers to be able to call home without missing the bus. We don't have pay phones near any of the parks so the kids can't call home if there's an accident or problem.

kelkat · 02-18-2007, 04:19 AM

That's why I love these cell phones that will only call predetermined numbers (like mom, dad, grandparents, and 911).

I have my kids around me too much for them to ever really need a cell phone of their own. Besides, they have trouble keeping up with the $10 watches I got them before Christmas (and those strap to them).