At what age did you give your child a cell phone???
By tina2696
@tina2696 (127)
United States
August 19, 2008 9:36am CST
My daughter was 12. She was one of the last of her friends to get one, I think that was the final deciding factor. She got my old phone, which was my husbands old phone. It was a little beat up and had very little features. She has never complained, has never gone over her minutes. This has led me to believe that 12 was the perfect age for her to have her own cell phone. She has had the phone for about 9 months now. It is falling apart!! I am making her save her own money to get a new one. I feel bad sometimes though, the battery falls out almost everytime she is using the phone. poor thing lol What age do you feel is appropriate for a cell phone????
4 responses
@liltunergirl (467)
• Canada
19 Aug 08
In all honesty I didn't get my first communication device (pager) until I was 17! Kids now a days are using unneeded technologie and the parents are paying for it. I think what you are doing is perfect. She can take the old beat up cell phone for "in case of emergency" situations. If she want's a better phone then she must pay for it. I suggest getting her a pay as you go and if you notice the minutes are being used up quickly then having her pay for the cards. This way it teaches her a little responsibility and that it's not cheap having a cell phone. If she's good with her minutes, then her reward will be for you guys to buy her her card. I don't see a need for a child younger then 17 to need a phone. They are at school all day and home doing homework in the evenings. If their friends want to talk to them, then they can call the house or talk at school. However, for those parents set on having their children walk around with a device that can easily get stollen, broken and chages racked up, then a pay as you go phone is the way to go.
Good luck with your pre teen's chatting!
@zeny_zion (1283)
• Philippines
20 Aug 08
i let her used cell when she's in high school. 4th year, i think. cause i dont wanna be worried always when she's not at home and its late. at least i can check her if everythings fine.
@Anne18 (11029)
•
19 Aug 08
our eldest child is a girl and she got her first cell phone at the age of 16. she is now almost 20. we didn't feel that she needed a phone as she never went anywhere plus we couldnt really afford to buy her one and keep putting credit on it for her. she had a very bacis one for her birthday and also because she was going to a big town two towns away from us on the bus to college everyday. she also had got herself a part time job so she could buy her own credit. She also was the only one at school not to have a cell phone. we don't regret not giving her one sooner.
our son who is soon to be 11 wants a phone and the answer is no. We will hold off for as long as possible but he will get one before he is 16, as times do change etc and other siblings do tend to get things quickly than the first child.
PS we did have one cell phone in he house so if daughter was going to go out etc or needed to go somewhere where she may need a phone then she could have took the family phone, but she never needed it.
@dheal888 (283)
• Indonesia
19 Aug 08
Maybe you are as a parent thinking again allowing your teen to have a cell phone. You may still not be sure if they are ready to handle the responsible of having a phone also potential health risks. But, I think ideal age 17 years old.
