at what age do you let your kids have cell phones

LeAnn - posted on 11/20/2009

My son got his as his 12th birthday present. My daughter will be getting one for Christmas. My stepchildren, 8 and 10, have them. I do not have a house phone. I think it depends on the situation as well as the responsibilty of the children. There are rules to the phone as well....I've even grounded my son, he had to replace one for breaking it....

Laurie - posted on 11/19/2009

I didn't agree much on a cell ph at an early age, but after my divorce, i realized i had to put a stop to my ex husband callin me all the time (using my kids as an excuse to check up on me). But i wanted him to be able to get a hold of them whenever, so, i got my 12yr old a ph for her bday last year. They dont spend much time with him, but atleast he has no excuse to text or talk to them whenever he wants. I kno she was overwhelmed with the whole separation issue, and she asked alot more questions than my 8 yr old. Therefore i wanted to assure her that she can reach both of us any day, any time. (*_*)

Emily - posted on 11/18/2009

My daughters are 12 and 13 and both have cell phones. I decided to get them one when I got divorced, That way I pay for the phone and I always have contact with them. The only time the phones are with them are when they are away from me. I know where they are anyway but it is a great way for me to be in touch with them and the same if they need me for any reason. Their father has supervised visits with them and so for safety reasons I make sure they have their phones

Jackie - posted on 11/14/2009

That depent of the situation, my two older dauthgers got them when they went to HS, but my son got it las year when he was nine, bc I started working and I need to have communication with him.

Polly - posted on 11/14/2009

i dont think there is any certain age u get them one it just depend on the parents if they do a lot of school stuff it would we good for them to have one.

Amanda - posted on 11/13/2009

I have two daughters ages 11 and 13. Both of them wanted cell phones buts I'm on a very limited income. i told them the only way they could have one would be to raise the money to get one for themselves and they have to supply their own minutes. I still set down guide lines on when they can use them and who they can give their number to. Having to "pay their own way" with their phones teaches them a valuable lesson and is good practice for the future.

Julie - posted on 11/13/2009

Normally my first reply would be "absolutely not". However, things are very different in this day and age. My ex decided without talking to me to get our 10 yr old son a cell phone. It bothered me at first but now I'm warming up to the idea. Next year he will be in middle school and no longer in latchkey. He is starting to spend more time with friends........sooo.......now that we live in two separate homes, it's probably a smart move. Good luck.

Debra - posted on 11/09/2009

We have ages for everything at our house. Even when my adult children were younger we had the same thing for them. Ears pierced any age, belly button pierced 15, cell phones 14, any type of body ink 18 and out of my house. I think establishing ages is the best way because then there is no discussion.

Alicia - posted on 11/09/2009

she could always have it for emergencies and for her mother to contact her on only. thats what i've done for my kids. They have a phone that their dad rings on and for if i'm not home and they need to contact me. plus you could get a pre-paid one and she has to work to earn money for it, the don't really like doing that.

Danielle - posted on 11/09/2009

My daughter is ten and a straight A student. She has had a cell phone for about two years now but she only uses it when she goes to her dad's house in KY. He is unreliable when it comes to having a phone in the house that she can use to call me on. She has a cell phone on his plan through AT&T and I also have a number for her on my plan with AT&T so that when his cell phones get turned off she can use the SIM chip for mine. Getting her a cell phone so that she always has access to a phone while at his house was one of the only ways we could get her to go with him. When she didn't have access to a phone while with him she freaked out and cried the whole time she was there. When she isn't at her dad's house the phone stays put up so it doesn't get lost. Our 14yo niece whom we've adopted however does not have a cell phone. She rarely leaves our house unless it is to go to our parents houses and we don't feel that she needs a phone until she can earn one by getting good grades.

Harriet - posted on 11/09/2009

WE ARE HAVEING THAT TALK RIGHT NOW. I HAVE A 9 AND A 10 YEAR OLD GIRLS, AND I WORK PART TIME. AT TIMES I RUN LATE AND NEED TO TELL THEM TO HEAD HOME OR SOMEONE ELSE WOULD BE PICKING THEM UP. SO BECAUSE OF THAT I'M TRYING TO CONVINCE DAD TO AGREE TO GET THE A PHONE.
BUT I THINK IT DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION AND THE TYPE OF COMMUNICATION NEEDED, SO DO WHATS BEST FOR YOU.

Elaine - posted on 11/09/2009

At our house it was agreed when she starts driving... so about 16 they seem to be more active at that age and away from home... school sports and friends none of our older kids got one at all... (cell phones were not as common then )but our last kid may get one when she turns 16..... but still have rules about how late she can call people and phone goes off....

Gee - posted on 11/09/2009

I think it all depends on the child. My daughter is 11 and I plan on getting her a cellphone for christmas..that way when she is with her dad and having issues she can text me or call me to come get her, instead of having to use her dads gfs phone to contact me.