How old should you be before you get a cell phone?

In this day and age it is a safety feature. I would give my daughter one now if the school district allowed it.But they don't. They have kid phones that only allow calls to mom, dad, police. Basically 4 buttons. Schools have locks, cameras, even metal detectors. I would want my child to have the option of calling her father or myself. But I would only get her the kid phone. Not one with all the bells and whistles.

I think a child in 5th class should have a cell phone. That is because he/she sees everyone like their classmate with a cell phone and i think this will make them feel bad that they dont own one. And that is where they intent to show interest in buying a cell phone. They are children should be given what ever they ask for.

i got mine when i was about 18 years old... and it is also a hand over from my older brother... i never wantto have a cell phone even though my parents encouraged me to have one because i don't like to be monitored by my parents... but my parents insist at the end because i am living so far from them in a student dormitory and it is so hard to contact me... at the end, i conceded and agree to take my older brother's phone... i don't think young kids should be given a cell phone... 16 will be a good age to have a cell phone... take care and have a nice day...

I think 16 would be a pretty good age. By that time they are dating and driving. They may need to call home in case of an emergency. In our days we just had good old fashioned pay phones. It seems pay phones are far and few between in today's world. I have even had people tell me they were looking for one, and couldn't seem to locate any. I know any time I see a pay phone, I do a double take. LOL You're right about the age on the cell phones though. Thanks for starting this discussion, and have a great day!

I think 14 is the right age. 14 is the age where most kids go to high school. Once your in high school you wont be home all the time. Everyone in high school usually has a phone. Some kids start working at the age 14 so they need a cell because they cant drive yet. Parents always want to stay in touch with there children because they are worried alot. Giving a cell phone to like a 3rd grader isnt a good decision, who knows who they will call. A child that young doesnt know that much responsibility and shouldnt have one.

Fist off - I'll say now - I'm English - so if I say mobile, I mean cell! I think it is obsurd seeing a child with a mobile and 100% agree there should be some sort of age limit, possibly about 13 though. I saw a young girl a few weeks back, she must have only been about 9 - sitting in a salon on her mobile, getting her nails done. If children have mobiles for 'emergencies' they should have restrictions on that they can only dial out there parents, grandparents etc numbers. I back you all the way on this on!

I really don't think children of that age need cell phone. But there is no fixed age to have a cell phone. It is a need based product, but parents think they always want to be connected with their children.

I had my first cell phone when i'm 21 years old which is too much old for the right age to have one but its my choice anyway. I don't understand as well about young children now using cell phone and why some parents allow them but however i believe that some may just see the good side or advantages of it to their children in some ways. As for my opinion, it is ok if they let young children use it as long as they guide them right and teach the right usage of it so that they'll know what really is the use and importance of having a cell phone. Guidance is the best thing to consider when it comes to these.

LOL I use to feel the same way stargirl....then our daughter who is now 13 asked for one....she was 11...We told her grading present for grade 6...she got it the christmas before.....It wasn't much more on our bill and the phone was free. Soooo it was not an expense thing it is more like a security feature...its kinda like some people have a GPS on there children. I could call her when she was running late or she could call me and let me know she was running late and why. PLUS she doesn't tie up our cell phones with her calls. It has benefitted for us, NOW if she was an irresponsible child she would not have gotten one....But sahe has straight A's in Jr High School and is a very good child. I will be doing the same for my 8 year old when she hits grade 6 because that is a good year to start teaching them independence and responsibility. Especially where we live...in the city, When they hit grade 7 they are soooo on there own...taking the city bus to school and doing activities after school!!!! I will be terrified when my 8 year old starts grade 7 she will only be 11 and doing stuff on her own.....But my fears will be much easier KNOWING she has her cell phone and I can call her whenever I need to talk to her and she can use it if she needs to in an emergency!

I can't believe no one has yet mentioned the other safety factor of letting kids use cell phones: brain tumors. Don't let children use cell phones. Or at least teach them to use them in the speakerphone mode which is away from the head. The microwave radiation emitting from cell phones and cell phone towers has been shown to cause leukemia and brain cancer in children. Their heads are not that thick yet, the radiowaves permeate the entire skull. Brain tumors show up after 10 years of use in some cases. Look up the info online. It's still a controversial issue and not entirely proven but the European Union has put out a statement warning it's citizens to keep cell phones away from children. Look up Bioinitiative.org for more info. It's really possible to live without your cell phone on all the time too. Shut it off when not in use. Don't wear them on your body when they are on. But especially take precautions where children are concerned. Teach them to use it in speakerphone mode at the least.

I think it really doesnt matter if how old a person if before he could own a cellphone. I think if he/she really needs it he should have it regardless of how old or young he/she is. I think it really depends on how necessary it is for him/her to have a cellphone and for what reason it would be given for him or her. I think a elementary could have one if he/she really needs it like an emergency.

And you wonder why we see so many fat kids. I think kids should be out playing and not have a cell phone or a computer for that matter. I think 16 is the right age for a cell phone kids have nothing urgent going on under the age of 16 if they want to get ahold of you they can use schools phone if it is urgent enough otherwise no no no

i think it's funny to give a child cell phone. i got my first cell phone after i entered university. i spent a lot of time playing my phone ,even in class.so how can a 3rd grade child control himself?

I think that a person should be at least 15 before they get a cell phone. Children don't generally go anywhere that would require to them to have a cell phone, as they are normally chaperoned by other parents, teachers, etc. I would probably give my child a cell phone at as young as 13 or 14 however, if I found them to be extremely mature and responsible for that age.

Although we encourage that our kids should know every thing of the cell phone, but it is not socially recommended that a cell phone should be given to your kid before he/she turns 16.

For me, its not bad to give your child at an early age a cellphone, because he/she might need it in case of some emergencies. That's the only tool that they will need if ever they are lost. As parents, we have to teach them on how to use it because too much of it can cause some kind of illnesses due to the radiation..

I wasn't allowed to get a cell phone until I was 16 years old. I really didn't think it was neccessary to have a cell phone because I was a student, what I did was school and home so I didn't ask for my parents for a cell phone until they said so.

Hi stargirl85 I agree with you they should be at least 16 before they are allowed to have a cellphone.The biggest risk is not just money but the health of a child as you all know cell phones emit microwaves which can damage the tender brain and blood cells of kids which in longer run can lead to cancer, diabetes, hyprtension and other relayed disease. Its scientifically proven.So you see why kids should not be given cell phones at tender age. Nice to meet you. Have a happy mylotting

I think when your kid is grown up or knows how to take care of his things he could have a mobile phone already. no definite age because there are kids who are grown up but not their minds...

In my opinion children should only be given cell phones if they really need it.That depends on parents to judge.I hope we can atleast trust parents because they should not do things emotionally but rationally.