The right age to have a cellphone?

I'm not sure about little kids having their own cellphone, say before the age of about 12 or so, but I agree that getting an inexpensive phone that can just make calls when the child needs to is a good idea. if they are going on a sleepover or out with a friend's family, they could be given the phone for emergency calls and security. Older kids I suppose would depend on the maturity of the child. I guess I wouldnt mind them having a mobile so long as they could be responsible with it. I am the same as you though - no kids yet, so maybe things will change when I have my own. I will definitely have them playing with barbies or cars though when they're little! No technology should replace a child's imagination and I hate that so many parents just stick their kids in front of the TV or computer game because its easier than playing with them. Its like 'what the hell did you have kids for?'

They make specific cellphones with only four buttons besdies the on and off button that will call four people that the child needs to get in touch with. These are fairly cheap things. I feel like these are better to give to kids this age then a real expensive cellphone. I don't see why kids need it except for an emergency, though when I was there age we didn't have that. We just always knew to go to someone and tell them that we needed help but to be cautious, only go to the teacher, principals, or people we could trust. In any case, when I have kids, they won't have a cellphone until they are 16 or 17, or even 18. If they want one before that then they are going to get it themselves.

When a child stops needing you to cart them around, then you should get them a cell phone. When they are at school, they are forbidden to have the phone on. Some schools will even punish and take phones from kids if the kid is caught using it (even if it is just to call mom or dad) So unless the child is a teenager, they shouldn't have cell phones. If something does happen, the school would call you. So yeah, when you do have a kid, not a good idea. Young children with cell phones, that's an irrsponsible parent if you ask me. Some may say saftey, but I'm like... uh... no. Children depend on you the parent, for just about everything. Now an IPod is different. Children should have a way to listen to music while they are at home or with friends without disturbing those around them. In stores, not a good idea because the kid needs to be able to hear the parent... but at home sure a music playing device is always nice. Yes we are moving into a more digital age. Cell phones, Touch-pads, Ipods and other gagets are becoming the norm. But, that should not give parents an excuse to buy their kids those things. Kids and parents need to spend more time with each other. And, at age eight... what activity would a child be doing that wouldn't put them within access to a phone should an emergency occour? So pay phones aren't on every street corner, but schools have phones, sponsidered activities have phones. There isn't one place a chiild that age would go where a phone wasn't pressent.

I think when my kids are in the secondary schools already, I will provide them one because now a days it's the most fastest communication we have.I guess it's also find if they are in grade school but pick the less expensive phones.You know kids of 8 to 10 are sometimes not responsible enough to care for their things.

I think the right age to have a cellphone is probably 13 or 14. In my country, 13 is the age when students entered their secondary school. So I guess they would probably need one at that age for emergency calls. Of course, if I'm a parent myself, I wouldn't allow my child to get the high-end phones like iphone though. I'll probably stick to the cheap ones... hahaha~

i had my first cellphone at the age of 13. It was the one of the cheapests in the market at that time. I agree with you, children who are like 8 or 9 shouldn't be given so much expensive gadgets. I want my future children to have just cheap phones when they start schooling. All they really need is just call or text. When they become teenagers, that when I'll buy them more expensive phones.

Here all the children can't use the cellphones when they are in the school. Namely they can't bring the cellphones to the school. But I think the cellphones are still useful for the children, especially when they meet something emergent. Their parents can contact them. Of course you can say that some of them use the cellphones in a wrong way, but it is the same for everything. Some people can also use the computer to do bad things. But it is not the fault for the computer. So i think it will be alright for children who are around 13 to use the cellphones. A simple cellphone is not expensive today. I just hope that my child can use it when there is something wrong. It is a tool rather than a toy. I love China

Maybe I'm too strict, but I feel that they should have it at 18. Well, maybe 16. It depends on where you live. I live in New York City and there are payphones all over. I'm 23 and I only got my first cell phone when I turned 23 last year, and this was only after I got a job and was able to pay my own cellphone bill. My mother was very strict and always told me that I didn't need a cell and could always call from a payphone if I needed to get her. I've seen too many teens that have gotten themselves into trouble because of cellphones. There are young girls talking to guys when they should be studying. Kids are more interested in playing games and talking on their phones than they are to learn. Of course not all teens turn out this way. It depends on the parent's involvement and how well they monitor the cellphone use. If I lived in an area where it would be difficult for a child to get access to a phone I would probably get one for my child just to be safe though. Maybe my view is a little extreme, and maybe that's because of my own upbringing, but I didn't have a cellphone until I turned 23 and I survived without it fine. It's just another distraction in a world full of distractions.

I think when the child shows the are ready, and theres a need for it. Only certain cell phone carriers/providers offer those 4 button phones. Last i checked, it was only verizon. I have sprint. When it is necessary for him to have one, he will. Hes only 7 now. Once he starts going to friends houses, and staying after school he will have one. BUT, it will only be given to him when hes out, and he needs to give it back when hes home. Unless he shows he is mature enough to have one. My son has ADHD and PDD (an autism spectrum disorder). He plays on my ipad because it helps him learn. There are many apps on there for him to help him. And Im thankful that companies have children like my son in mind and make learning apps. So when we go out, he plays on that to keep busy. Just something to keep in mind when you see a kid on an ipad or an ipod touch. It may not all be leisure.

I think some parents are just paranoid. Because they want that they can always reach their children to ask how they are, anytime of the day, they provide them with cellphones at a very young age. Well, they have a point though. But maybe we should only provide them with the cheapest ones, lest it could get stolen from them.

Well, I think that depends on the child. Like take my son, he is 10 years old, he is like a little man. I think he should have a cell phone, but not the smart phones like an iPhone, they are way too much money. I think one of those prepaid phones is good, just incase he needs to call home for mom or dad if something went wrong at school or at a friends house. In addition to that, think of all those news reports about children 8 to 10 are being left on school buses. I think if the child had a cell phone, they could call their parents and let them know whats happening. But like I said, it all depends on the child and of course the economic station of the family.

A fully functional phone not a smartphone would not break the bank. For me, starting 12 or 13 they can have cellphones. It is important for parents to monitor their children. Cellular phones can make it easier. Children grow up so fast their priorities shift from one thing to another. So better start with cheapest functional cell around.

Well I do agree that 16 probably is the best age, but in todays era it is more likely for kids to be given cell phones as early as 8 years old. I say 13 is a respectable age, because you are now a teenager, but it seems like everyone kid has a cellphone anymore, regardless of age. I had one when I was 13, myself. I agree also that it is mostly for protection by parents when younger children are given phones.

In this new generation we all seem like depending on technology.. as a mum when my son does grew up and reach his 12 to 15 years old i must say that i will allow him to use cellphone for emergency purposes and does will only buy him one that is not that expensive and more complex to use.. the reason why we need them to have cellphone is for us to check them while they are away from our care like for some instances they are at school or some activities outside our home we can check their status by calling them or even just a message away..but we should always think that we still need to guide them even though they're using one we are still obligue for their act in using cellphone because they are still minors..

My kids are just 8 and 9 and tehy already want cell phones because some of their friends have them at school.I think they should be at least teenagers before getting a phone.Kids though today seem to be growing up faster and they don't want the things that we had when we was kids.

Well this is there generation. The technology greatly influence children nowadays, specially the television. Lots of children nowadays have access to most common gadgets like cellphones. Anyway, for me I will have my children to have a cellphone at the age of 14-16. They were very aware of the world right now and they keep demanding on their parents on the things they want.

I think the right age to use cellphone. hem i mean have a cellphone is 9 years old. You must be wondering to know why i choose this age, isn't too young? Hem in my opinion children must be know healthy tech. So you must watching and guide them

i think the right age is 13..i dont know why..there is no specific reason but i think that the boy/girl have been grown enough at this age and can take the responsibility of having cellphone :)