At what age do you think it is appropiate to get a child a cell phone?

Technically, the cell phone was meant for emergency use. There is no need for a child to have his/her own cell phone, unless they are go out of the house on their own. If a child needs to talk on the phone they should use the household phone.

Personally I don't see why a child would need a cell phone. When they are at school there are phones there to be able to call a parent on or the parent can call the school to get a message to the child. When they are over a friends house the friend should have a phone there. If they are out like at the mall or the movies there are pay phones there. Why should they need a cell phone? My thought is when they go off to college they could have one. Before that, except for special occassions where they could borrow a parents they don't need one. By special occassions I mean a school dance where the offices are closed but they need to call for a ride home type thing.

Sixteen if its really needed.

The rule in my house is 13. My two older daughters didn't have one until their 13th birthdays and the younger two are already asking, my reply, for your 13th birthday.