At what age did you give your child their first mobile phone?

This is something that I discuss with my Boyfriend often and we have totally different views. I do not like the idea of giving a child a cell phone. I understand the idea behind being able to contact your child whenever you want to see what he/she is doing, but what happened to the time before cell phones?? Shouldnt you know what your child is doing and where he/she is?? I did not get a cell phone till I was 18 and purchased it myself. I think that giving a child a cell phone when they are young could possibley create future problems.

I didn't get one until I was 13, and actually, I didn't think it was worth spending the 40 dollars a month so I had my parents cancel it. Hah. Well, I would guess 10 would be good enough for a cheap cell phone, just in case of emergencies, and stuff.

I was around sixteen or seventeen when my mom gave me my first cell phone, but I had to prove that I could handle a cell phone first before I got one. I had to show that I could be responsible. I do not think that parents should give their children cell phones until they can prove that they are ready to handle one. Make you children work for what they want people!

Our older two didn't have cell phones until they left home and purchased them on their own. We provided our youngest with a tracfone at age 13 when he became involved in extracurricular activities at school and we needed to be in touch with him about his schedule. We provided a limited amount of minutes and those were to be used to keep in touch with us and not for calling friends.

Our daughter got hers when she was 13. She informed me that she was the first child ever to reach that great age never having had one! I pointed out that I was (then) 44 and didn't have one, but being born in the Stone Age I didn't count apparently!! The previous year or two had been a constant litany of "If you cared about my safety you'd let me have one" or "Jessicamelanissarahjasminejuliesophiemelanie have got one". When I enquired what they did with theirs is became clear that calling each other across the playground was a favourite. Call me old fashioned, but I am of the view that if I want to talk to my friend and they are in the same room (or playground) as me; then I will walk up to them and ask my question or whatever. This daring and radical thought had clearly not penetrated the space that she likes to call her head, or her friends heads either it would appear. Personally I think that children at primary school don't need one. But don't let yourself be undermined by the peer pressure on him. These things are expensive toys at that age in my opinion. If he really needs one for some reason; why not have a family mobile that you control and that he can take with him if necessary. Good luck.

I can't imagine what a child would need a mobile phone at eight years old for... the only kind of phone I think would be acceptable would be the custom kiddie phone I've seen around. The child wouldn't be able to dial out for anything, as it would not have a number pad; instead, it would have two buttons you could program: one for Mom, and one for Dad (though I imagine you could make one the house and one your work, or any other variation you pleased). That way, you wouldn't have to worry about the child racking up bills that aren't necessary; you could give it to them only if you think they'd need it. For the record, I am not a parent. However, I was very recently a kid myself, and I did not want nor need a cell phone until I was fourteen, as a freshman in high school. I think that's about the right time for a kid to get one anyway.

I gave my sons mobile phones at the ages of 20 and 16 respectively. It was more a necessity for me to reach them, than luxury.

my daughter is almost 8 and i dont let her go to playground alone at all yet.nor would i get her a cell phone.. maybe 13 plus is a good age.but i think now is way to young.

You would probably think I am an outdated imbecile; My son got his first moble after he finished his first year of his Mangement Degree [as such he is highly qualified and this Management Post graduation from the most prestigious institute in India was only his secondary qualification. He finished his first year of Internship and after that he got his first mobile.Till then he did not ask for it. During his internship he missed this facility because getting in touch with home became slightly difficult for him .Otherwise even in his hostel he had a landline phone in his room.He managed to do without a mobile till his first year of summer internship.

my daughter got one at the end of grade 8 (she had turned 14) but even that was too early. all she did was text and run up the bill. (she is 15 and still doesnt have one!) our younger daughter, however, is much more responsible than her older sister but is only 11...we will wait for a few more years yet with her.

I got my first cellphone at 18. I do think that having one for in the car is a good idea that way if the car breaks down there is a phone for people to call for help on. Same concept as if you are driving and something happens to one of your passengers and you need help. If there is a phone there you can call and get the help you need.

i think that if you let your kids roam around unwatched, then they should have a quick and easy way to get ahold of you. paying for the monthly phone bill is alot cheaper then paying for private detectives to find them when their missing. As my dads a detective i hear about it alot, kids who where only a few blocks away from their homes, taken...and had a cell phone...where able to secretly call authorities when they had a chance, resulting in them being found, as the police can track down a cell phone's where abouts. i dunno. i would want them to get ahold of me 24/7.

my aunt gave her son a mobile phone in primary shool though mobile phone was not popular at that time.her purpose is showing off but not communicating with her son. she thought the classmates would not to bully her son if they knew their richness.

Well I got my first mobile phone when I was 10, and I begged my parents for it for ages. I wouldn't say I particularly *needed* a mobile phone until I was about 12 and started secondary school though. My younger brother got one when he was 8, but that was only because my Mum was getting a new one, and she saw no reason why he couldn't have her old one.

I got my granddaughter a Net10 prepaid phone when she was 8. I got it for her because she lives in an abusive family and needed it for her protection. Illinois doesn't have grandparents rights or she would be living with me. Until I can make that happen, I will do whatever I can to keep her safe. She knows it is for emergencies only and is very good about not using it for anything other than calling me. I make sure she always has minutes on it because I never know when her stepdad is going to go on a tirade.

I also post a discussion about this matter friend and was looking for an advice with our friend in here and so I also decide to give a cellphone/mobile to my son which is 13 and a daughter that are living with my Mother in the Philippines and I would surely give it on the time of my vacation and I also think of this matter for a 100 times either I have to give it to them in their age but so sure for now that they will be responsible on it and one thing for sure......

i do think the child need a mobile phone for there are so many things needing mobile phones to do for them

Providing mobile phone is at age of 7-8 may be now days become a fashion for parents but in my personal opinion it should not happen as we know that mobile gives a radiation which is harmfull to child very much

today is my daughter 's 2 years birthday,i have bought a cell phone for her one years ago,but that is only a toy :).in my opinion,if the children can use it and you can afford to it ,then why not to give he one.it is a good way to communicat and contact with child anytime and anywhere.in our country,most family only can have one child,they have really become our center.

if i was a child,i don't think a mobile phone is cool.they don't think about it.