At what age do you think that kids should be given their own cell phones?

21

Yeah, I know a lot of people pride themselves on being soooo modern and all their little kids have cell phones because they're probably going to go out to the Gobi desert and NO other kid will have a phone they could call for help or something, but if I had kids I wouldn't get them one either. They'd have to pay for it themselves along with the bills.

If and whenever they become latchkey kids. But around 16, I think that's a good age to get them one. My father bought me a cell phone when I was about that age. Just a regular cell for emergencies. They definitely won't be getting a Blackberry or iPhone or some other fancy, schmancy phone.

Chris wrote:

At what age do you think that kids should be given their own cell phones?

Never. When they get a job and buy their own, then they can have one.

Sorry, but I'm old. I lived without this shit for half a century. It is doable.

Agreed.

I would say maybe 14 or 15. It definitely wouldn't be very high-tech, it would be a basic TracFone and even if they wanted more minutes for it, or wanted a different phone that was "in" I'd say "Well, I guess you better start saving your money."

MandyPerfumeGirl wrote:

I would say maybe 14 or 15. It definitely wouldn't be very high-tech, it would be a basic TracFone and even if they wanted more minutes for it, or wanted a different phone that was "in" I'd say "Well, I guess you better start saving your money."

I know parents can do whatever they want but it annoys the hell outta me to see a kid yapping on a phone, especially a really young one. I know of one kid in the second grade. I mean, really?

Probably about 13.

My son is nearly 12 and has had one for well over a year. I know it is not a necessity by any means, but it is a luxury for all three of us that works out very well. For a small extra line charge, we don't have to burn our minutes to call the land line, as we call each other free. I can reach him easily if plans change and he needs to come home sooner...there are a lot of reasons that it is a convenience that works for us. Now, if he was a kid who wasn't as out and about as he is, or if it cost a lot of money monthly, then it would be wasteful. But as it stands, I wouldn't have it any other way.

CeCe wrote:

MandyPerfumeGirl wrote:

I would say maybe 14 or 15. It definitely wouldn't be very high-tech, it would be a basic TracFone and even if they wanted more minutes for it, or wanted a different phone that was "in" I'd say "Well, I guess you better start saving your money."

I know parents can do whatever they want but it annoys the hell outta me to see a kid yapping on a phone, especially a really young one. I know of one kid in the second grade. I mean, really?

I've heard of worse, I remember somebody talking about 5 year olds talking on them as they peddle on their Big Wheels, and there are some people who are idiotic enough to say 'why shouldn't they have them? Kids need them to call their friends', right, did yelling into the next yard 'hey can you come out and play?' become impossible?

Like with most things related to child rearing, it depends on the personality of the child in question. I wouldn't go under 10, but if a child that age is mature enough to have a cell phone, keep up with it and not run up the bill, then I wouldn't be against them having one. A cell is a good way for parents to always keep up with their kids, and is more useful than not.