Cell phones . when is too young. . . . .

Allison - posted on 07/17/2009

I know teenagers who convince their parents for a cell phone on the basis 'I need it just in case I need to get in touch with you, etc. . ) and then they sit on it all day and text. And like Erin, I've seen the enormous bill that comes in the mail. I don't know what I will do when Emma asks for a phone. I guess tell her to get a job? Nobody ever paid my cell phone bill or made my car payments.. . what the heck. . . .

Sarah - posted on 07/17/2009

I LOVE my mobile phone! (cell phone to you guys!) i don't know how i ever coped without one! lol!
However, i did cope until i was about 18 so i guess my kids can do the same.
I'm not sure i have a set age in mind, but i KNOW i won't be footing the phone bill!
I guess i'll have to see if when she asks for one it's warranted or not.
:)

Sean - posted on 07/16/2009

when a child is old enough to sign the contract, and pay the bill. pay phones are not all going away and the kid can always borrow moms phone to take to the mall if their is an emergency.

Erin - posted on 07/16/2009

In my opinion there is no need for a child to have a mobile phone until they are teenagers and need to start catching public transport by themselves. And then it should only be a pre-paid one - no way would I give a 13 year old Milla a mobile phone on a plan only to get a $1200 bill in a month's time (yes, I've seen it happen). Until she finishes school/uni and gets a full-time job I will be insisting she remain with a pre-paid phone. Beyond that it's on her :)
I got my first mobile phone for my 18th birthday. But that was 10 years ago (God I feel OLD!!!!) and back then kids didn't have them.

JL - posted on 07/16/2009

I have to admit that I rarely talk on my cell phone...I am a texting addict. But I appreciate the cell phone and the ability to keep in contact through texting because I have a husband in the military who is hardly ever home so it allows us to keep in contact. It is difficult for him to get to a phone and sometimes he is not allow to use a phone so he can get around it by texting me little things like..I am ok, doing good, I miss you, and I love you. If it was not for the invention of the cell phone and the ability to text I would hardly ever here from my husband when he is deployed or at training which would probably drive me to madness.

Charlie - posted on 07/16/2009

i dont own a mobile phone , they give the creeps its like i can feel my brain getting fried when i talk on them , i hate it when my partner carries it in his front pocket of his pants .
i say to him " I WANT MORE KIDS YOU KNOW ! " Lol i know im a freak haha.
as for children owning them , when they are a teenager i suppose , if i have to get him one

ME - posted on 07/16/2009

I survived until I was 22 with no cell phone, and then I got rid of my home phone and only have the cell. I think those phones that can only be programed with a few #s are genious...I would not be opposed to my child having one after the age of 12 or so...but a phone that requires a contract and a lot of money...umm, nobody bought me one...so, I don't plan on doing it for my children!

JL - posted on 07/16/2009

When my daughter hits her preteen years I do plan on getting her one of the specialized cell phones that allows for a few numbers to be programmed in and they act as a GPS as well. I feel like at that age she will be more prone to wanting to walk to a freinds house and ride a bike down the street out of eyesight so I want her armed with a cell phone in case of an emergency or to at least tell me she got to her friends house safely. I know I will need to release at some point and start to slowly give her freedom and I feel with a cell phone I will feel much better about it...heck I can track her butt down with the GPS system.

Jenifer - posted on 07/16/2009

I wouldn't be opposed to my son having one of those specialized phones for children (that can only be used to dial parents, no texting) when he's 9 or 10, assuming he's riding a bus to school or involved in after-school activities. As for an actual cell phone to use as he wishes? Not until he has a job. I think children are getting cell phones way too young, and using them too much. When I did some work at a local high school, I simply couldn't believe how many students pulled out phones and were texting in the middle of class.

Sapphire - posted on 07/16/2009

There is a difference between having the phone for safety purposes versus silly texting purposes. In my town, it is actually quite common for 8 & 9 year olds who walk or ride a bike to school to carry a cell phone in the event of an emergency. And in one instance, a 4th grader had her phone while walking AND used it when there was an emergency situation. (Another kid got bit by a loose dog) Parents also allow their kids to go to the local parks & library unattended, or even simply riding bikes with their friends. I happen to live in a very small neighborhood and it is rather safe. But I know 6 year olds that ride their bikes to friends houses on the other side of the neighborhood, and their parents give them a spare phone. I would also think that every kid is different, and maturity plays a huge role in regard to the responsibility of having a cell phone. Not all 9 year olds would be responsible to carry a phone. We are also starting to be a lazy society. All ya have to do is program a number and hit speed dial. Some of my friends that I speak to on a very regular basis are the same people who I do not know their numbers!

Kylie - posted on 07/16/2009

I'm 27 and i don't use a mobile phone..my husband bought me one but it's in a drawer somewhere. I think when my kids are old enough to go to the movies or out on their own they can borrow mine. My husband works at a private girls school and he sees girls as young as 9 sitting around texting all day at lunchtime. I don't think its necessary.. in myy dayy we got together at lunchtime and talked face to face there was none of this texting nonsense...:)

~Jennifer - posted on 07/16/2009

I'm 37 and I don't have a cell phone......

Christa - posted on 07/16/2009

I personally don't think they get one until they can get a job to pay for it. When they are that young they aren't roaming around town by themselves. They are near a house, or with another parent. That's my opinion, but things might be different in 10 years when my daughter starts asking me for one. :-)