Kids and cell phones.

I think that it depends. On the maturaty of the child. I have a friend that has 2 sons they are always out running around one is 9 and the other is 12 and if they would have a cell on them then she would be able to find them. I think that 10-12 could be a good age to start lending them a phone to take with them not for there own useage all the time. And definitly by the age of 16 that way if they are out driving then they have one. My daughters friend also has one and she is only 5. I saw her coming out of her kindergarten class yacking on the phone one day. So if you think 7 is too young what about 5 LOL heheaha

7 is young for a cell phone, but it would depend on the reason for needing one. I know there are companys that make phones designed with kids in mind. The kids just can't dial out, there are 4 key pads that the parent would preprogram and that is who the child can call.

When ever you do decide to get them a phone I would go with a pre-paid phone. When they get their allowance they can purhcase their own minutes (card) and if they abuse the minutes then they are stuck with no minutes until they can buy more. This teaches them responsibility and they can never ring up a big bill and mess up your credit history.

I dont think kids should be given cell phones till atleast 16-till they complete high school. Ive seen a few kids much younger,with cell phones, they seem rather distracted and do not really participate much in extra-curicular activities, sports, reading etc, as they are most often on their cell phones. I too believe that it may distract them from their studies. Cheers

i believe that by seven years of age, they should have a phone. by seven, the kid might be going to school. for communication purposes, i prefer that he has one where i can easily contact him. duing non-school days, study times, and other times when i am around, I'll get the phone so that he will not be used to it. Communications are important for as long as limitations are imposed.

i have 5 kids as well ages 11,9,7,5,and 3 alot of my 11yr old friends have had funs since about 8 i do belive that a child should be older

my daughter is 8 and she wants a cell phone, I think she is way to young.. I told her maybe when she is old enough to walk home from school I will get her one, but it will be the kind where she can only call certain numbers and she can only recieve calls from either myself ot my husband or my parents

7 is way to young in my opinion. I would say 14 or so. But on the other hand I heard of a case where a girl was abducted and she was able to text message her mom and they found her. So when I hear that it makes me wonder what is best. My daughter is 10 and she doesn't have one but she knows how to work one.

Wow- 7 is pretty young for a cell phone- I would give me 7 yr old a fake cell phone just to play with- My daughter is 10 and does have a cell phone- She got it for Christmas last year- Safety reasons mostly- At the school she is moving up to in September- she will have to walk to and from school- (daycare is in town)- I wanted her to have a cell phone to be able to call me or for help if she needed it- Also she takes it to practice- so that she is able to call me- if they are getting out early or late- She also uses it to talk to her friends- or call home when she is at her dads – He is long distance- so it works out well for us- So what age is a good age? I think it depends on the maturity of your child and the reason!

Well Lifez2short, cellphones are very good for your kids, especialy when you don't know where are they. But if ou don't have the money you need to buy them that's no problem. Your kids are litle I think you don't have to buy them cellphones :). Good luck ! and take care.

When they first came out over here we had a "law" which said they could have them.. This wasn't followed and even kids as young 5 use 'em and I personally don't like the idea of them having access to a phone at such a young age, without even mentioning the fact that it might do something to them. Still an area we don't know to much about. (I used to get headaches when I used mine often) stopped since. ~Joey

I think it depends on the child and the purpose of the phone. Cell phones are treated like toys today. You see women talking on the phone asking their husbands what print of paper towels she should get. The use of them today can be ridiculous. Kids calling their friends to chat , chat , chat is a waste of time. I agree. When they can foot the bill, they can have one. I am 46 and I do not have a cell phone.

I think 7 years old is way too young to have a cell phone. What happened to playing with each other and why the need for the phone? Most girls don't even get a phone in their room until thier 16 or it used to be that way. Your right about them not having one until they can pay their share of the bill or buy minutes. Giving them a cell phone at this age isn't teaching them any responsibility and parents have to start thinking of those things at this young age.

Wow a cell phone at 7, way too young unless there is a very important reason for it. My son asked me for a cell phone when he was 10, when he wouldn't even answer the house phone. My response was do you even answer the phone at home? Then he tells me no so I asked him then what do you need a cell phone for you won't answer it. Then I told him that when he could pay the bill he could have it.

My exboyfriends sister got her 4 year old a cell phone. It's not one of those Fireflies either - but a regular adult cell phone. The phone cost $80 and the plan is around $60 a month. I think it's ridiculous. He is four years old and he is always with his parents. Who is he going to call? Not to mention the fact you can't understand a word he says on the phone. She got it for him because he wanted it. They can't even afford to pay their electric bill half the time. 4 year olds do not need cell phones. I think middle school age is ok because they are more independant, more responsible and start getting into after school activites and going to friends houses around that age. But I wouldn't buy them a top of the line phone either. My fifteen year old nephew has already lost, dropped in the pool, or ruined at least six phones already and his mother just keeps buying him better ones.

I have considered getting my son one of those kid cell phones that you program with 4 numbers. They can only call those 4 people and they can only get calls from those people. I have seen them at toys r us and you can get them from the disney store. They only have 5 buttons on them. MOM, DAD, 911, GRANDPARENT and a BLANK (you write in the 4th number). I think those are ok for kids, especially if they have a lot of activities like soccer, karate, etc. It also lets them call you if they are at an activity and need you. As far as other types of cell phones for children, my rule in my house is you have to be 16 and have a job to have anything I do not deem as a basic need in life. No car, no cell phone, no $200 shoes, etc. If my child wants all those things, then he needs to learn what it costs to have them and that means a job. These things are not basic needs of life, they are luxeries.

I agree when kids are old enough to work and pay for the cell phone they can get one. I do not think little kids need cell phone nor do they need phones in their rooms. I also do not like computers in childrens rooms. I think if a child wants to talk on a phone they need to do it in the front room where the parent can here what is being said and if they want to surf the net the parent needs to know where the child is going.