So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

[Cebby]

Re: So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

If they want to, fine, but it's not a necessity. People survived for thousands of years without them and there's no way that's any different today.

People survived for hundreds of thousands of years without homes or requiring consent for sex. That argument is silly.

With how cheap phones are, there is no reason to not give your kid one if he/she is driving. That doesn't mean paying for 18,000 text messages a year and unlimited anytime minutes, but having a phone when I started driving (when I got my first phone) saved me when I was lost a half dozen times in the first few months.

Again, it doesn't have to be a 300 dollar Blackberry or iphone (I didn't have a phone that had color until last May), but if you can't spare 10 dollars a month and the free phone they give you with a new line, you really ****ed up by having kids.

[CMH]

Re: So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

People survived for thousands of years without them and there's no way that's any different today.

Yes, but the phone can help with the changed lifestyle of families.

It was easier when mom was home and kids knew where their parent was at all times.

Now with two working parents, busier schedules, more activities for kids, no one knows where anyone is anymore. Instant communication is definitely a necessity in today's world. It goes with the changing times.

[CKW11]

Re: So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

My parents got me one when i started driving, which was about 10th grade. I thought it was pretty reasonable.

[Moses Shuttlesworth]

Re: So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

As soon as the kid starts doing things that involve them being very independent or far away from their parent/guardian. I think that's the most logical.

[mgoblue]

Re: So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

High school in most cases.

I agree with this, but maybe middle school if the kid is in sports and needs to get picked up a lot.

I did track and soccer in middle school, and cross country/track in high school, and I'd always have to use the pay phone to call my parents to pick me up after practice (until I could drive). A cell phone would be much more conducive to this type of thing.

That being said, I don't think I'd want my future kid to be talking on the cell all the time running up minutes or texts, so you have to watch that as well.

[GAMEC0CK2002]

Re: So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

I'd probably say middle school w/ obvious restrictions. I teach at a rural high school and i'd say close to 85-90% have a cell phone.

Definitely when they start driving.

I would get a basic phone....no frills. And they pay for anything outside the basic plan.

[pfunk880]

Re: So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

I agree with this, but maybe middle school if the kid is in sports and needs to get picked up a lot.

I did track and soccer in middle school, and cross country/track in high school, and I'd always have to use the pay phone to call my parents to pick me up after practice (until I could drive). A cell phone would be much more conducive to this type of thing.

That being said, I don't think I'd want my future kid to be talking on the cell all the time running up minutes or texts, so you have to watch that as well.

I definitely agree. In cases like that, a cell phone is a necessity. My cousin plays several sports and is all over the place, and he's had a phone for a couple years, even though he's just starting high school this year.

[Aggies7]

Re: So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

I would say 13 years old. But maybe just one that can call home and parents cell. Then at 15 get a real one

[fishepa]

Re: So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

When they get their driver's license.

Yep.

[trobinson97]

Re: So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

Whenever they give me the money for one.

[Aggies7]

Re: So At What Age Does A Parent Need To Give Their Kid A Cell Phone?

Whenever they give me the money for one.

Agreed theyd have to help foot the bill.