Should children have mobile phones? (cell phones)

yess i think they should only have them 4 ages 13 and up!!!!! no younger!!!

In my opinion, if there's an issue of security, there's a need for cellphone for communication. If you don't agree with the games then choose a cellphone without this feature, if it's available.

I don't think a child need a cell phone for any reason until they start to drive. Any younger than that and there is no need. Like you said they only want to play games. And if they go anywhere, they're with adults or adults take them and pick them up. If they would happen to be going somewhere special where they could possibly need the use of a cell phone, they could be given a parents phone to use.

I would only get my child a cellphone if I had raised them to be responsible. I've seen some of my friends who have been stuck with hugh cell phone bills because their children were NOT responsible. Many kids do treat it like it's a game and really abuse it. Some kids can be responsible at early ages and some never are.

baysmummy, the whole idea I thought was to have them for emergency contact, but now they do so much with them and some run up hefty bills (guess the parents have to fork out) even the cost of a special ring tone! So my idea of just for emergency has been left behind big time!

I think that kids should not have cell phones until they are at least 16 years old. they then understand how to use them and will not abuse the fact. a cell phone is just way too much freedom for a child thats younger than that. who gets to pay the bill? you will and im not ready to pay a bill for nothing.

I dont think a kid should have a cell phone until they are able to afford the bill for it plus at lease here in the US most schools dont or wont alow them to bring it. so what is the point of them having one

if they comunicate with parent I think mobile fon is util. For games no.

Nooooooooooooooo

i agree with you. maybe not 12, 14 would be better. a child does not need a mobile phone, it is just a toy for him. an expensive and useless toy. they do not even have their own taste, they do not even know which cell phone they like. they want that one just because their friend has. they keep it one month, then a new model appears and they immediately want it. mommy and daddy pay, who cares.. most functions of cell phones are not used by adults, why should a boy be interested in having a mobile phone that can sends emails even in the middle of the ocean? what's worse, is that many parents want their children to have a mobile phone, so that they can control them...but if they are in need, how can they call help and receive it immediately? even in that case, a mobile phone is useless.