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

[Blzer]

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

By the time you have kids communication chips will be implanted into their heads at birth.

I don't know if you're inferring to the fact that the exponential rate at which technology is increasing, or that I will not have kids until I am very old.

[csuf559]

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

I got my first cell phone when I turned 13 in 7th grade.

[Cebby]

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

I don't know if you're inferring to the fact that the exponential rate at which technology is increasing, or that I will not have kids until I am very old.

A little of both. Aren't you in college? I figured it'd be about 8-10 years before you would want to have kids.

[auburntigersfan]

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

I think I got mine when I was 12.

[p_rushing]

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

Depends on what type of phone/plan. Maybe in middle school, but something that could only call a few numbers. Then around when they start driving, 15 - 16 years old.

[Blzer]

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

A little of both. Aren't you in college? I figured it'd be about 8-10 years before you would want to have kids.

Haha I was kidding, I understand. Chances are my thoughts will change depending on, well, how the future goes.

[gta95]

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

13 IMHO

[superjames1992]

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

I got mine when I was in eighth grade at 13 years old. I didn't really use it much, though, and still don't use it a ton. I'm not really a cell phone person, I guess, LOL. Oh, and I freaking despise text messaging. I wish all texting would be wiped off the face of the Earth!

[Gizmo]

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

I didn't get my first cell phone until I was a senior in high school ('02) and back then it wasn't a mandatory thing.

IMO, I think a kid should be given a phone when they start high school.

[J.R. Locke]

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

Depends where you live. Urban or rural area. In an urban area I would say sooner because everyone else will have one and you will be coming and going and meeting at places. Rural don't ever really need one. Except if you get lost I suppose.

I would say 16 or so. Or I would tell them whenever they can afford it. Prepay only.

[Heelfan71]

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

My Niece is 9 and has one. It's one of those pay as you go and she has to pay for the minutes in advance. Pretty cool that I can text her etc., but I think that is too young personally.

[e0820]

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

Got my son his when he was in 7th grade. Thats when he was able to start his schools sports and my life was just wasting away sitting there waiting for his practices to end so I said, "here - call me when your done"

[Burns11]

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

I would say it depends on if the kid could handle it maturely (not get into trouble at school or with you over the thing) and if the kids friends are getting them (mostly because they have to have someone to use the phone with).

All in all though, a cell phone is much less dangerous for a kid to have than a private computer. One advantage to a kid having a cell phone, considering how attached people seem to get, it would make one hell of a disciplinary aid.

[TheMatrix31]

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

A) When they start driving.

B) When they can afford it.

[CMH]

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

A) When they start driving.

B) When they can afford it.

I like B. Very interesting perspective. I'm not totally against that, though I'd probably be a bit lenient by substituting costs for chores. I would never substitute it for grades (just speaking out loud). I don't believe in that.

Anyway, I think both A. and B. make a lot of sense, but if my future child were mature enough to hang out with friends and not get into trouble then I would want them to have a cell phone. So the answer is: when they've shown enough maturity to go out and be responsible.

Or in other words, if my kid is 10 and he/she gives me good reason to allow them to visit friends at their homes, then I would give them a cell phone so I can keep in contact with them.

I'm sure there are ways to limit the phone. I don't mind if the kid wants to use it to talk to friends so long as their school work is done, they are active children and they get enough sleep.