What is a good age for a cell phone?

Iysha - posted on 03/18/2010

I heard of cell phones where you put in numbers and those are the only numbers the child can call or receive calls from. It was called Firefly. There are also little ones that only let the child dial 4 numbers. The one that dials 4 numbers is a little disappointing for an 8 year old though...the Firefly seems better for a child that age. I'm not sure what the monthly rates are or if there even are any but they sound like a good compromise to getting a phone that he can get into trouble with by calling everyone he knows 500 times and talking way over his limit! Lol. Btw, I think the appropriate age for a cell phone is when the child can use it responsibly and understand the terms you set for allowing them to have one. From what I've seen...around 13 yrs old.

Keeshea - posted on 03/15/2010

hmm..... 15 or 16 years old.

Holliday - posted on 03/13/2010

I have four kids ages 16,14,9,5. My 9 yr old has asked for a phone because his two older siblings have them.We basically use our phones to communicate with each other. My answer in truth to him was that he is never anywhere I don't know he is going to be. My older two are old enough to walk around town or go with there friends different places. But my 9 yr old is either always with me or I have dropped him at a close friends or families house. So I hope this info has helped. Holli

Jennifer - posted on 03/10/2010

I got my daughter a cell phone when she was 7 for christmas. It was just a tracphone to see if she was gonna take care of it. She is gonna be 9 this year and she still has the same phone. She does stuff around the house to earn her minutes. It teaches them responsablilty. When she does something wrong or if her grades start slipping at school then she gets it taken away.

Socorro - posted on 03/10/2010

My oldest is 8 and she'll be getting one soon. It's the situation more than a want. I'll be going back to work part time and the time at which they are picked up from school will vary. I need them to have a way to communicate with me and their dad. I'll only be 2.5 miles away in case of anything that comes up. If there are no special circumstances then I wouldn't do it just because. You can let him know that phones contrary to what it may appear are really for emergencies and for people that really need them. Good luck!

Crystal - posted on 03/09/2010

I definitely think everyone's situation is different ... so it would depend on the circumstances. But, for my household as of now, no cell phone until probably around age 16 when they start driving without me. Even then, I think I'd go with one I can control, of course till 18. In my eyes, there is no reason for a kid that young to have a cell phone, electronics in our society are just getting out of hand. Best of luck in your decision.

Jenna - posted on 03/09/2010

i think he doesnt need one till he actually NEEDS one like if he starts playin sports or stayin after school!! but there is no need to get him one if there is not a good reason!!

Keisha - posted on 03/09/2010

Wont be happening in my house until they are at least teenagers or if there was an absolute need for it. I just dont see the point in letting a child carry a mobile phone. We have a land line at home and until they're teenagers they aren't going any where with out me, my husband or a responsible adult anyway. They cant take it to school, so there's no point.

Emili - posted on 03/08/2010

i think it depends on the child. my 7 year old daughter has one but my 6 year old i dont think will ever be ready for one. lol good luck!

Deanne - posted on 02/10/2010

My daughter is 8 and 1/2. This year she started taking the bus home from school. I am usually at home, but there are times when I may have an appointment and can't be home at the exact same time as her. She is also an only child, we live in a condo, and she often goes out to play with the neighborhood kids. The townhome community has a park, but it is not within sight of my building. I decided it was time to get her a cell phone. I found a service called Kajeet (it is for kids) and it is AWESOME. I have total control of her phone...I can set times when it is on or off, the only numbers she can call or get calls from are entered by me, control of downloads, etc. all done on the internet at their site http://www.kajeet.com/4u/index.html Best part...it has a GPS locator, I can set it for specific times to email me on my phone to tell me where the phone is at! I feel more secure about letting her out of sight and being responsible at home alone for a few minutes. My package is $20.99 for 150 minutes of talk time and unlimited texting monthly and the GPS service is $10.99 a month. There are no contracts and you can add or drop features whenever you want or discontinue service for awhile if you want as well. I love it! If this service is still around when she is a teenager...even better!!! I'm a 24/7 single mom, so she's pretty responsible too...she has had to be. I cannot possibly be with her every free moment we have. I want her to be able to go out and play and have fun, without the anxiety and worry for me! And...LOL...honestly the novelty of the thing wore off in about 2 weeks, she only uses it now when she absolutely needs to! Hope this helps some. Good luck!

Natalie - posted on 02/09/2010

I agree with Heather!
My kids are way too young for cell phones BUT when they go off to school by themselves and start hanging out over a friend's house or something... anything over the age of 10... i would def consider it. It would be limited of course, they wouldn't be allowed to call and text people all day. It would be purposely for us to stay in touch easily and me knowing where they are and with whom. Of course it would have tracking.. come on! lol

Shell - posted on 02/09/2010

16 or when they start working... Unless special circumstances call for one where they absolutely need one, they dont need it before then.

Heather - posted on 02/09/2010

I just got my daughter, who is 11, one at the beginning of this school year. This is the first year shes taken the school bus to school and i wanted a way to make sure she was safe and getting to school and home okay. I dont really thing theres a perfect age. I think its totally up to you and what you are comfortable with. Im really glad i got it. Its nice to be able to keep in touch with whats going on in her day, and in the afternoon when she gets home before i do. :-)

Christi - posted on 02/09/2010

umm, yeah my son won't be getting a actual cell phone until he is 16. i think something like the firefly cell phones that only allow him to call people that you put into his phone for emergencies only would be fine. that way, he feels like he is just like a big kid and he has something in case of emergencies.