What age do you think is appriopriete for "child" to have a cellphone?

no age cells are evil contraptions and the only time it should EVER be used is in and emergency stranded on the side of the rode someone is hurt bad etcetc

Well it depends on the purpose of the phone. What is the child going to use the phone for? I got a cell phone at the age of 16 for my b-day and share a plan with my mom and when i am 18 and have a job i will have to pay for it on my own. If your child needs a cell phone to get a hold of you, because you work alot or theres an emergency they have phones called “Fireflys” which are designed for kids, which you have parental management over incoming and outgoing calls. You also program a few numbers in and those are the only numbers they can dial or they can recieve. Fireflys would be good for the ages of about 5 and 14. If you decide to get your child a phone at the age of 14 and 18, just make sure they have a limit and aren’t calling the whole neighborhood, cuz you’ll end of paying the bill, not them, that is unless they have a job. The only thing that annoys me is, seeing kids younger then me like that are 11 or 12 walking around talking on cell phones, acting like thier 21..ha. But thats what i think. Good Luck!

Source(s): myself

It depends. I would say a child that does not have activities that require the parent to leave them or a child that does not go out with friends does not need a cell phone at any age.

A child that has activities where they possibly need picked up or to let the parent know where they are and what they are doing it may be a good idea to have one of those cell phones that calls only a few numbers at whatever age.

When kids start going out with friends in cars then I think a cell phone may be appropriate for safety issues and again to let parents know exactly where the kid is, it also makes it so a parent can contact a child. As far as talking on the phone to friends, I guess when they can pay for it, otherwise they can use the home phone.

I survived without having a cell phone when I was a kid, I’m sure they will be able to also.

12 years old if the cell phone is the type that has just the five buttons to call family and 911 only. Otherwise, not until they have a job, are legally able to sign the contract, and can pay the bill themselves.

You do know that a lost cell phone can still be used to make calls and that you are liable for all charges made up until the moment you report the cell phone stollen?

An article I just read last weekend stated:

A San Francisco resident, Wendy Nguyen, was shocked to receive a bill for $26,0 after her cell phone was unknowingly stolen before she left for an overseas vacation. Cingular held her responsible for charges incurred after the phone was taken, up until the time Wendy discovered the theft and called the carrier. She was able to prove via airline and passport documents that she was out of the country and couldn’t possibly have made the unauthorized calls from San Francisco during that time, but Cingular still held Wendy accountable for all charges.

—- if this can happen to an adult, imagine what can happen to a child? Depending upon their level of responsibility, they might not choose to tell you (or not remember themselves) for a very expensive period of time.

On another note, studies indicate that exposure to radiation from an antenna right next to your head (i.e. a Cell phone) causes the brain to shift several millimeters to one side in an attempt to get away from it. Much fear exists that it could cause brain damage to a developing brain. Some people think this is true of fully developed brains as well. The proof isn’t conclusive. But, like living under powerlines, do you want to take a risk with your health? Would a child be able to self monitor how much time they spend on such a device? In order to mitigate such health risks, the cell phone should be used for 1 or 2 minute calls. Think a child could do that? With family only dialing, maybe. Otherwise, I don’t think so.

Age is a factor. You don’t want to give a phone to a 6th grader. Way too young. I don’t believe Jr. High is old enough either. Why would they really need one?

Then for something so big, you really need to assign some other related responsibility to having a cell phone. Phones are expensive so hopefully the kid can have a way of paying for the thing and keep making payments.

Welcome to responsibility!

Then there is the maturity factor.

If this kid has broken their things or lost things in the recent past, forget it. You know it’s not time for a phone yet.

Then look at the reasons why the kid actually needs a phone.

Are there any?

Just because the kid has a lot of friends with one does not mean they should have one.

Good luck. :0)

I don’t think kids should have cell phones not until they are old enough to have the responsibility. On the other hand, my son is about to be 8 and I am thinking about just giving him one when he goes to stay the night with a friend and get it back as soon as he walks in the door.

My son is to shy to ask to call home if there is a problem or if he is ready to come home, so if he had his own phone with him while he was there then he could call me anytime he felt uncomfortable and or wanted to come home.

But no, he nor any other

“child” is old enough to have a phone, I didn’t even get my first phone until I was married for at least a year. I think they should have the responsibility of helping pay for the phone calls.

Hope I could help.

It really depends on the situation. If it’s possible wait until they are at least 16. Once they start driving around on their own it is going to be a comfort to know you can get a hold of them and they can get a hold of you if something happens. Some families even need one sooner. My family found it useful when my kids were involved in a lot of sporting events. We got one cell phone for the three kids to share. When one of them had a practice or a game they could call for a ride. It was a big, ugly, out of style phone that they knew was only to be used to call home. Good Luck!

I have read some of the answers. Some are right in suggesting when they are old enough. But I would suggest if you get them one…make it a Pre-Paid. You care getting the phone I would hope that in an emergency that can contact you or the police. If all they want to do is just have the ability to just text friends that I would say wait till they get a job. They can run up a large bill that you will be stuck with.

When they are 13. Before then, a pager or beeper. Important to keep track of someone (if they don’t respond to the page when they aren’t in school or anywhere for that matter) then you know they aren’t ready for the responsibility. You can also by a Tracphone or other brand where its a cell phone, works in every way a regular one does, except, the child has to buy a phone card to use the phone. They have to work to get money to buy the phone and gives them the responsibility to pay as they go and to manage money.

Source(s): I have a Tracphone. No bills, no contracts!

16.16.16.

No younger than 16. It’s when they start driving (in most states). It’s really when a lot more freedom comes their way. I am a liberal thinker but maybe an old fogie at times.

No earlier than 16 and if not 16, then when they can pay their own bill.

At a last resort, when your child starts hanging out with other kids who have cars already (who you NEED to trust). When I was younger, I always got along with kids 2-4 years older than me. That was just my crowd. I went out with (as friends) with 16 year olds when I was 14.

It depends on your kid, how much you trust them, and how much you trust them not to turn into a Paris Hilton.

I think it is essential in this day and age for a child to have a phone as soon as they are latch-key types (walk home from school or off bus and get home). They also should have one if they need to be alone or walk alone for any length of time (like to mom/dad’s office). If they are alone for long on public transportation (or live in a large city).

However, that said, I think limiting who they can call (some phones do that), and limiting text and calling is appropriate until they show responsibility.