Kids and cell phones, how old

I bought my kids cell phones when they started to drive, which meant they were 16 years old. They were restricted to call beyond their allocated minutes because my husband and I were paying for their cell phones and minutes. One month, my daughter did go over her minutes and we showed her the bill - with all the details, including all the phone numbers that she called and received. She was shocked that we could track down all her friends' phone numbers. She stayed within her minutes after that, especially when we told her that we were going to call all her friends to tell them that they need to make sure that our daughter doesn't go over her minutes or else, she will no longer have a cell phone. Our daughter did not want us to call her friends, so she made sure she always stayed within her minutes. I would only give a 9 year old a cell phone for emergency reasons. A cell phone with a 911 number and her parents number is all she needs at 9 years old. She can use the home phone for calling her friends. Children don't need to have everything, especially when they are not responsible.

I would get her the cell phone I dont think she is too young . She could call you just in case any emergency . Its different here since we have the option for prepaid .

It's a tricky question. Personally I don't think kids so young need a cellphone, but I understand if parents want their kids to have one for safety concerns. However, there are other ways to make sure your kids are safe. If they're this young, they wouldn't be on their own much anyway, plus a kid with a phone is an easy target, so that is a risk. On the other hand, I perfectly understand your daughter's desire to fit in and be a part of the group. But as someone who grew up with a computer and who remembers the beginning on facebook, I don't think that's a great direction for young people to be heading in... technology is meant to connect us but it makes us feel strangely disconnected. It's a no-win situation, I think.