What's the right age for a child to have their own cell phone?

Kimi - posted on 06/21/2009

I think it's really up to you. There are plenty of pros and cons. If she is staying the night with a friend it could be a nice lifeline for her or if you forget to pick her up from school or she want's to call you to get permission for something. There are some that have gps and that can be handy for even the best parents. She could rack up a hefty bill if your'e not carefull with the plan you get. Durring the summer it may get droped in water so you'll need to have it insured. If you can afford to get her one than go for it. There aren't pay phones at every corner anymore.

Amy - posted on 06/21/2009

My kids cannot have one until they can pay for it themselves and they are in high school. There is no reason my kids would need a cell phone any sooner. It is ridiculous for young kids to have them. My hubby and I share one, so they don't need one.

Cathy - posted on 06/21/2009

Once they start high school, they should have a cell phone...and should be paying the bills themselves with babysitting money or a part-time job. Any younger than that is just self-indulgent and unnecessary, in my opinion.

Dale - posted on 06/21/2009

I also think it depends on the child. My daughter had one while she was in middle school. This was only to be used for calling if she needed a ride home. The cell phone I got her is a prepaid phone. I told her I couldn't afford a cell phone bill and when her card ran out, she was out of time. This has worked out well for us.

Cecilia - posted on 06/19/2009

Dear god no!
If they have to have a cell phone ten you get one of the babyones that have preprogrammed numbers in them... And do NOT let them start texting that young.

They cant handle it. SEXting is getting down to kids under 12 now, because they do not understand the consequences. There really is no need for a kid to have acell phone until they are a lot older. let them interact in reality.. On the phone or in person.

Lydia - posted on 06/18/2009

I dont have to think about it for awhile yet. WhileI would like to say I see no reason for a mobile at that age I have not decided firmly against getting one that can only call family members and the emergency services. But a restricted one isnt what your daughter is after anyway so it comes down to what you feel she could have. Maybe a prepaid phone with a little credit that she needs to top up out of her own money would be the better way to go if you decided she can have one. At least this way she is learning about the value of money (do I want a phone enough to pay for it or would I prefer to spend my pocket money on ...? Maybe

Mimi - posted on 06/18/2009

No way! 9 is too young for a phone. It depends on the kid, but 13 is a good age. Teens have more responsibilities and a phone is a good way to reward and take away if needed!

. - posted on 06/18/2009

Quoting Lisa:

Here in Canada they have been talking about the amount of text-messaging kids are doing - did you know the AVERAGE is 80 text messages a day - that is the average - alot of kids are doing more. That is crazy. I do not understand why parents let their kids have these things. I agree with Melissa - the safety thing should not be part of the equation as a 9-year old is always going to be with a known adult, right? I also am not buying into "but all the kids have them" - other people are not raising your child - you are. You have to make the decisions that are right for your family and not succumb to the "but everyone does it" argument. Just like my mother always said, "if everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you follow them?".

A 9 year old is not going to have an adult with them 24 hours of the day. They do not always have an adult with them if they go down to the local park with their friends.

The day I was confronted by a man at our local park (the park is located on a buisey road, its also where alot of club sports are played), I reported it to the police and mall security only to learn earlier on that day, he had also confronted two younger girls on the opposite side of the park, while they were on their way to the mall, which is off the park.

I didn't have my phone on the day that I was approached. I ran home to tell my parentsm, by the time I got home, it gave that man enough chance to get away and not be found. Had I'd  had my phone, the guy could have been caught.

You can purchase prepayed phones, restrict the usage on them, only let them have them if they are going out with their friends etc.

Lori - posted on 06/18/2009

I don't think there is a "right" age for kids to have their own cell phone. It is really just up to the parents. My 12 yr. old has been begging for one for the past 3 yrs. & lets me know often that she is "the only one" out of her class that doesn't have one. The rule at our house is she has to have a driving license & a JOB!! She can be responsible for paying for the bill if she goes over on minutes. I have 3 older children,now in their 20's,that had to abide by these same rules & they agree with me now that there really isn't any reason to have one at an early age. Who do they need to call,other then their friends? The parents should know where they are at all times regardless of them carrying a phone. Obviously I'm old fashioned & I don't feed into the latest toys & gadgets that our kids think they need to have. And now with sexting being a big fad,I am not in any hurry for my young daughter to have a phone.

Tammy - posted on 06/18/2009

Quoting Misty:

When they need one. If you drop them off at a school or sport function and you won't be there, you want a way to be able to get a hold of them. I think it is more for us parents than them. To them it is fun, to us a little extra security.

This is nearly word-for-word what I was going to write so I'll just copy hers!  My 16 yr old is the only one of my children who has a cell phone.  She is often out or dropped off somewhere and I need to get a hold of her.  I also use it to text her when I arrive somewhere to pick her up so she knows to come out to the car.  My 12 yr old is green with envy but she just really doesn't need one.

Alyssa - posted on 06/18/2009

When I was growing up, I wasn't allowed a cell phone until I got my driver's license and once I started working, I had to pay for my portion of the plan. When my parents first allowed me to have one, I had to pay for anything extra (text messages, games, ringtones, etc.). Later, I was able to add unlimited text messaging and internet to my "plan" and I still pay them my portion of the bill every month years later. Before I started driving, we had a "community" cell phone my sisters and I shared. If one of us went out with a friend to the mall or somewhere where my parents couldn't reach us by landline (sports events, field trips,etc), we took the phone with us. The community cell phone started when I was in middle school and started going out with friends more.

I felt the system worked very well and when the time comes, will use the same system with my son.

Misty - posted on 06/18/2009

When they need one. If you drop them off at a school or sport function and you won't be there, you want a way to be able to get a hold of them. I think it is more for us parents than them. To them it is fun, to us a little extra security.

Edith - posted on 06/18/2009

Quoting Jeannine:

What's the right age for a child to have their own cell phone?

My 9 year old daughter wants a cell phone. Two of her firends have one adn she wants one to text them. When is the right age for kids to have their own cell phone?

I say its OK as long as it is not abused.  I do think there is a right age but a right
"mature" age of the child.  If your child is responsible I do not see a problem with it.  I have a friend who gave her teen a cell phone and the bill was astronomical.  My daughter is 12 now and I gave her one last year.  The purpose of the phone was to stay in touch with her older sister who is in college and to call me and her Dad when she gets to her grandmother's house after school each day.

Hope this helps  :)

Jinglebones - posted on 06/18/2009

Here in Canada they have been talking about the amount of text-messaging kids are doing - did you know the AVERAGE is 80 text messages a day - that is the average - alot of kids are doing more. That is crazy. I do not understand why parents let their kids have these things. I agree with Melissa - the safety thing should not be part of the equation as a 9-year old is always going to be with a known adult, right? I also am not buying into "but all the kids have them" - other people are not raising your child - you are. You have to make the decisions that are right for your family and not succumb to the "but everyone does it" argument. Just like my mother always said, "if everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you follow them?".

Melissa - posted on 06/18/2009

i cant see any reason AT ALL why a 9 year old needs a mobile phone- the "safety" reason doesnt sit well with me because at that age they are likely to be with a responsable adult not out on there own.



Who does a 9 year old call anyway? If you were to give a phone to someone in that age brackett i would suggesting having it blocked to ALL numbers except the parents home/work numbers and emergency numbers, because you couldnt trust who they would call/ call them.

. - posted on 06/18/2009

I just think security is a good enough reason, the world is not as safe as it used to be. I mean they can top up their phones with the money they have saved from pocket money. That would teach them to be resonsible with the credit in their phones

Sarah - posted on 06/18/2009

The right age is when they can pay for it! My daughter is 12 & she's had her phone for 1 year. She pays for the extra line & texting using her allowance & babysitting money. My theory is that if your child thinks they are responsible enough to have a phone, they should be responsible enough to pay for it!

. - posted on 06/18/2009

I believe at any age. I was approached in a park by myself a couple of years ago by a sicko, had I had a cell phone with me at the time, I could have called for help much sooner.

You can purchase pre payed phones.

Lesley - posted on 06/18/2009

Mine got their's in high school for safety reasons but please make sure they learn manners with them. Cannot abide people stopping meetings or conversations or talking even in public toilets just because their phone rings. We all managed without them so why has everything changed

Betsy - posted on 06/17/2009

Mine don't get them until they start driving, and they get a basic one. If they want one earlier or want one with extras, they can have a job. I can't stand the lack of adults having manners while attached to their phone, and now starting kids with that habit at 8 or 9 yrs old, I really hate (esp face in the phone texting nonstop or at inappropriate and rude times). Our oldest got his first when he got his license. Our 12 yr old asked for one but we told her straight out it is not a toy, and we aren't started to train her with that rudeness now. When she is driving, she will have one for safety reasons. We see no reason now for safety reasons because we make sure we know where our kids are and how to get in touch with them when needed, so we haven't found a need for that reason. Driving is different. I don't want a child stuck on the side of the road with a flat and no phone. It will be the same for all the younger kids.

Sara - posted on 06/17/2009

My daughter received her first phone for her 9th birthday. I used a company called Kajeet. They aim directly at that age group. It's a pre-paid phone. You put money in two different "wallets". The parent wallet, and the kid's wallet. The money in the kid's wallet is available for the child to use as they see fit - games, ring tones, talk time, text messaging. There are package deals you can buy - fairly cheap (200 text messages for $4.99/month). There is a $0.32/day charge, but there is another pack you can buy that has 10 minutes of talk time and pays for a month of fees for $4.99. I normally put about $25/month on the phone - and she could add money as she earned it for games and such. I think managing her wallet helped her realize that it costs money to do things. I know on more than one occasion, I heard her tell someone - hey - don't call me - I don't have much money left on my phone and I don't get more until X date. :-)

Angela - posted on 06/17/2009

I think it really depends on the child.They have to be able to show that they are responsible. I know that Nextel (the boost phones) has unlimited minutes, text and web for $50.00 a month which is a really good deal for a start out cause your not locked into a contract if they show you their not responsible enough to have a cell.

Alison - posted on 06/17/2009

That is a hard one! My boys had one when they were 7 and 8, though for safety reasons. As a single mom, being able to track down the kids at any given moment is important! But this sounds like more of a social status thing. For me personally, that isn't a good enough reason to have a cell phone. Is she responsible enough for it? Is it a reasonable expense? Man, I miss the old days when we all went outside to play and didn't go in till we heard our mom's yell blocks away!