Do you agree in giving mobiles to young kids?

NO! I think it's ridiculous! My 16 year old son has a cell phone that's on my plan, but that's because I feel like he's responsible enough to have it, and he hasn't proven me wrong yet. My 11 year old son has a prepaid cell phone and he's only allowed to use it in an emergency. We don't have a house phone so I bought that one for him for a Christmas gift as they are often home before school a few minutes before I get here and I don't like the idea of there not being a phone in the house. I'm the person these irresponsible parents call when their young children have jacked up their cell phone bill and expect me, or any agent, to fix it. I have seen bills that are THOUSANDS of dollars because someone gave their kid a phone. It just takes a little common sense. Get the kid a prepaid phone and make them learn to be responsible with an allotted amount of minutes they have to use and don't add more minutes until the time you've decided on.. it's that simple.

No I don't think it is wise. However my friend has given a cellphone to his son since he neds to call him after a training session to pick him up. So it is handy in that particular occassion.

I have a eleven year old daughter and my ex husband got her a cell phone. She wanted one so bad and asked me for one and I told her no. I wasnt going to put her on my plan when my husband is already on my provider and my plan is close to $200.00 a month. I didnt feel like she was responsible enough to have a cell phone and that she could wait. Just because her friends had one doesnt mean she needs one. But my ex said she needed one because when she gets home from school she stays there by herself until he gets home from work. Well he cut out his minutes to get her one and now he wonders if it was such a good idea. He is always getting upset with her because she cant keep up with and wont answer it when he calls. She will put it down and then forget about it so I am constantly searching for it when she is here. She doesnt take good care of it and she will toss it on the bed or our coffee table without even a seconf thought. My other kids wont get one until they are older and they will have to pay for it themselves.

My son has a cell only because he is in so many sports and if he needs to call he can. Plus he's plays at his friends place or outside in the neighborhood and its also nice to know where he is at.

They didnt even have cell phone when my kids were at home. Times have changed a lot since then. Rising crime rates. Criminals targeting children. If children are ever out there without the company of an adult. Yes, that child sure should have a phone. They should have them off at school. If a child is ask by a friend to come over after school now the child has no reason not to contact the parent.

My daughter is 7 and we will discuss her having a mobile phone when she is at least 11 or 12. My sister's little is also 7 and she has had one since she was abut 5 which I think is ridiculous. What possible use would a 5 year old have for a mobile phone? My daughter wanted one too of course and I gave her a toy one and for now she's happy with that. I do see benefits in her having a phone but only when she is likely to be away from me aside from school and that won't happen for a few years yet! When she will eventually get one it will more than likely be a pre-paid one so we can put a limit on the amount of credit and we won't end up with a nasty surprise phone bill! We may teach her to pay for the calls herself with her pocket money too or is that a bit mean?

Here the children and students are not allowed to have the mobile phones in the schools. However, I still agree that it's better for them to have a mobile phone. Everything has the advantage of disadvantage. Sometimes it is essential for their parents to keep in touch with them. A mobile phone is very useful at that time. At least their parents can know where they are. And if their children are in troubles, at least they can make a call for help. I love China

The best thing I ever did was buy my child a trac phone pre-paid. The phone was for keeping me up to date on activites, plans, locations and emergency use. It was also useful when she got hurt, and the authorities in charge would not let her call home on their phone. One call on the trac phone, one emergency room visit, and a couple of bruised ribs later, she knew that if she called mom was comming. Phones may be expensive, but your child knowing that if something goes wrong, or they need you and your only a speed dial away. I've got to say it That Is Priceless.

I see no reason for any child or teen to own a cell phone unless they are driving. Shouldn't you always know where they are until then? They would always be with an adult or near a phone to reach you. You write, Is it good in knowing where are the children by giving them a phone? One parent said to me, "This way I will always know where my child is." I said, "No, you will only know where the phone is... with your child. The child could be anywhere!" She did not even consider that. My kids, when they started driving, bought their own, pre-paid phones. They paid the bills so they were frugal about using them. Only when they were adults and had jobs did they go on a plan.

I wouldn't not give mine one, But i would try for a highly restricted phone and I would like to see the child work to pay for it, learning responsibility. Can you give them one that sends a copy of all phone numbers called to your computer or phone?

My little sister has had a mobile phone longer than I did. She got it as an award from school when she was eight--and NO, my mom does not pay for the expenses; she does. In truth, it's a yes and no for me. Yes, because there may be times wherein I may not be with them and I need to keep myself updated with my future kids. But then it's a no since they're just kids, why would they need a mobile phone? In the end--yes, I might opt to provide my future kids with a mobile phone, but not the flashy types with the cameras and everything. That's just about being spoiled brats.

In response to my comment I forgot to add that my kids do chores around the house and earn pocket money for various tasks they do for me, they all have prepaid mobile phones and pay for their own credit with their own money. If they cannot afford it then I will put a bit toward's it.

I have five children, one is two, so of course he does not own a phone, although if he could he would(lol). I have a 14, 11, & 10 year old boys, all of whom have mobiles, the daughter who is 9 also has one. My 14 yr old catches two trains to school, my 11 yr old rides his bike to school, the school is 2 suburbs away and my younger two live with their dad and he works long hours sometimes. I see it as a necessity for my children to own phones because either myself or their father can keep track of them and know that they can get hold of us whenever they need us. It is such a big trend to own a mobile phone with kids in this day and age, although there would be a lot of parents who would disagree. I personally did not start out in agreeance to this, but, I breathe a sigh of relief knowing I can get hold of anyone of my kids, even if it is just to say hi and know that they are safe. I can't imagine what I would do if one of those kids needed myself or their father if anything should happen to them.

maybe if their teenagers, yes but kids at an early age, i dont think so.

No, I don't think children that young need a mobile phone. It's the parents paying for the calls, not the child. While I can understand wanting the child to have a way to get a hold of the parents if he or she needs to, I don't think it's a necessity.

I gave my daughter a prepaid cell phone. I gave me a safe feeling knowing that she can call me if there is an emergency and that i can call her. The world nowadays isn't a safe place anymore.

I agree, But usage should be meaningful and restricted. Now the world is different they feel to have one, its a fashion now for them, they think if their freinds can have a mobile why not us? I think parents should give them a mobile with some condition. It must be prepaid phone. so that kids will use them with extra care. Unnecessary calls, text etc etc can be avoided if parents moniter their mobiles time to time. parents should tell their kids the pros and cons of mobiles.

I do not agree. I don't think 9-10 years old is near mature enough to have their own cell phone, and unless they are paying for it I wouldn't let them have one. Even if they were at that age, which they'd never be able to, I wouldn't let them. I'd have to put it in my name and that's not happening. Perhaps a pager would be acceptable. You page them and have a rule that they must return it within a certain amount of time or they are grounded or something. Cell phones are not for children though!

well i will not agree to give mobile to nine or ten years children well forget about how expensive is the mobile but at this age a child gets habited to mobile phone will only put him on a wrong path of life. As they will have phone in hand and they normally at that age misuse it and misguide with friends so its not worthy to have a phone at this age.

Although expensive, mobile phones are very important to the everyday life of a teenager. You do need to keep track of Your child cell phone, many times kids start going down the wrong road and it has to do with the secrets on their cell phone. All messages and calls should be checked weekly to make sure your bundle of joy is staying on the right track!