Kids and cell phones: what age is it ok for a kid to have a cell phone?

I think it depends on the child. My older daughter has had a phone since she was nine. But she's very responsible. I wouldn't tell her what her number was as I didn't want her giving it out to anyone. I only wanted her to have the phone in case she needed to contact me. So, the only numbers she had were mine and her grandmother's. My younger daughter though didn't have a phone till she was older. I gave her one to see how it worked out, but she left it lying around and played games on it and didn't really have much interest in it as a phone. I think parents should be careful giving young children a phone. It's always possible that some wierdo could accidentally dial the child's number by mistake. I used to warn my daughters that if anyone rang their phone and they didn't recognise the person that they were just to hang up immediately. My older daughter got several calls from a guy that she didn't know. He obviously had the wrong number as he kept leaving really stupid messages. In the end I had his number blocked from the phone.

i think about 16 but depends on the parents really personally i think giving them one to young can resort to them getting bullied and crap now days then again can get bullied if they dont have one.

I think the ideal age is When they can pay for it themselves. I did not have it even at college.I also hear that children spend a lot time,money by just chatting.Also you can keep watch of children doing unnecessary calls if they do calls on landline phone.Cell phones give them freedom to call at any time,though at midnight.

i think the cell phone is not a toy which we can give to our children. do you know its harmful for a human being. if your children really need it then give him after age of 14-16 else save your children if you love him.

I see kids everywhere with cell phones and I worry about them. I am not sure cell phones are safe. there are still alot of studies going on to see if they are safe. Also, I dont really understand why a kid would need one. If they get sick at school, they can go to the office and call mom or dad. Why do they need one? I think 15 may be a good age and even that age may be too young for a cell phone

I believe that a good age for a child to have a cell phone would be 10 and up. Society today isn't a real safe place. There is crime and other bad influences out there. However, if your kid has a cell phone with them, they can use it for emergencies for calling the police, a parent, or someone else that can help. My dad was worried about me, so I have a cell only for emergencies. And it really helps! My car broke down at the mall and my dad had to come rescue me. I was happy I had that thing, lol. But I don't think 10 is too young. I think its perfect! I hope this helps!

I think after 17 u should give cell phone is ok..because i think when childrens can do work without cell phones then it is ok but if they have need for example during studies they want to take help to their friends den it is ok.

I dont think kids should have a fully functional one I dont think there is a good reason for it and it reduces your ability to parent

18... 18 is the right age at which a child, rather person should be given a cell phone... this is when his.her mind is considerably mature and knows how to use things safely in all terms...

Its around 11-13 years of age.... that one should carry this accessory eith him/her

My kids never the house without a cellphone. My 2 oldest children (19,18) have their own phones. But my 15 yr old and my 12 yr old do not. They take mine whenever they are going out with friends or after school. I think 16 is an appropriate age to have their own. My 15 year has been complaining because she wants her own. I think she will be waiting a few more months for it.

I think the proper age would be 13 years old and above. With the technology nowadays, cellphones are really becoming a common necessity than a luxury. However, it would also depend on the child or your kid. If you feel that he is responsible enough to have one, then you can try to entrust one to him, but still with your supervision and monitoring. It would teach a lot of things to your kid, like being responsible enough to keep himself and the phone safe, and not to use the phone unnecessarily.

My Step Daughter's got there's at 10, but it was to be able to contact there Dad cause there mom didnt have a home phone. Disney came out with one that I thought was neat, it tracks your child. I think as long as the child is resposable the age doesnt matter, and also depending on the circumstances.

My daughter had her first cell phone when she was 13. I always thought it was a bit early until she reached that age and started going to friend's houses after school, or just to the park ... things like that. I had most phone numbers for her friend's houses but often it was difficult to call here and there....and learn nothing. So I humbly changed my mind, got her a cell phone and was always able to get in touch with her whenever i needed. And I felt much better after I did. It's funny because myself, i do owe a cell phone but hardly use it and actually have no plan , just a pay as you go phone. But it was important for me to be able to get in touch with her as I needed. to prevent her from making her too many calls she has a pay as you go phone as well. I give her money for one fill per month, if she spends it all before the month is over, she has to refill it herself with her own money and will have to do so immediately so there is no time I can't get in touch with her. She is 16 now and this worked for us so far. My son.. well let me say he's a bit more reliable, always remembers to tell me where he goes after school and it's easier to reach him. Still he is now almost 14 and we gave him one of our old phones. We refill it sometimes when he goes somewhere and we want to be able to reach him, but most times we don't. He doesn't care much about it either, and since we usually know where he is and how to get in touch with him, this works for us as well. I think that both for adult and kids, cell phones are more for this kind of situation, not to use for never ending talks and to catch up on the latest news from our friends, the land phone can still work for that. But the cell phone gives us the possibility to let our kids have a bit more of freedom as their age warrants with the safety of being able to reach them at any time. - if they are responsible and don't turn the cell off when they don't want to be reached :) -

actually i think an appropriate age for a kid to have a cell phone is when they are above 14yrs old.but i have to admit that kids nowadays specialy if they parent have a good financial, they already used cell phone in a very young age about 9-10yrs old.which i think its not necesarily.

i think that 14 is the right age for a kid to have a cell phone coz at this age kids start to get to know abt the world and get their real sences.

i think after 18 we can gave them cell phones. or if they are far away from you then you can give them after their 15 or 16.

I think each case is different. My daughter fot one this year- She is 10.. Yes most of her friends have them already- She got one to use to call me if sports got out early.. so I could come pick her up.. Also next year she will have to walk to school (in town have to walk when they get into Middle school- 6th grade)... Even though she will be with a big group of kids-- I thought it best to have a cell phone in case of emergency- She will be more comfortable and so will I. So it depends on the situation.

i had my first cellphone when i was 13. i needed iit cause i used to go for tutions,so my parents cud be in touch with me. cellphones have becum somewhat becum a necessaity.

i would say around 12 13