How old should a child be before they get a cell phone?

Answer 1

If they are responsible I'd say 16..If not wait a few years...or until they can pay their own bill

Answer 2

When I kid gets to be in the 7th or 8th grade it is wise for them to have a phone. Many kids this age are on their own before and after school until a parent gets home. In our small town the kids this age hang out at the park, the putt-putt, and movie theaters until dark in the summer (around here that is 9 pm or later). A good rule is if you can't reach the kid by phone at any given time they loose the privilege of going out with their friends the next time. Also check with the cell phone provider and block all text messaging in/out and Internet access. This will cut down on overages and high costs greatly. Rollover minutes are great to have for the entire family, but set a limit for talking. Deduct minutes the next month if they go over their limit. Always get an itemized bill for any child's phone. It will give you valuable info on who they are talking to and for how long. Even though it is tempting not too start off with a "has everything" phone, get a basic phone and let the child prove that they can be responsible and keep track of the phone before investing in one with more features.

Answer 3

It is really up to the parents, the maturity of the child and how they are going to use it, who is paying for it...etc. I had gotten my sister a pre-paid cell when she was 10. She was in so many after school activities that she used it to call when she was finished/needed a ride. Now she is 15 and pays her own bill by working after school. Phone companies also have newer phones made for children with emergency numbers, and a load of other features that can limit the children to how they use it.

if i had my own children, it would depend on what my work schedule was like, my husbands work schedule, childs activities etc. but i think that 14/15 is a good ages to start paying for it (work certificate age is 14/15)

Answer 4

Definitly varies between childrens maturity. Some of my friends siblings are only 10 or 11 and have cell phones. It's good to have in case of an emergency to have you and the childs husband and emergency number in the phone if it is necessary to be used. Although they'll want a great phone, don't go buying one that has a camera and video. Get a simple phone - as well inexpensive.

Answer 5

As soon as they are old enough for you to sometimes not be able to find them. Get them a cheap phone (check, there's probably a plan for just this purpose now) and the first time you can't find them after they get it, there are NO EXCUSES, and they're grounded.

Believe me, the phone will have been left on a table in the other room, or accidentally got turned off, or the battery will have run out or . . . well. you get the idea.

I found them indispensable when mine were younger. (Alternatively, get them a pager, but there are even more excuses then.)

As they prove that they can be responsible, you can adjust their plan.

Answer 6

I'd say a very responsible 16 year old or when they can pay their own bill. I have a 15 year old and an 18 year old. The 15 year old got his mom to buy it for him because we wouldn't and the 18 year old gets it shut off about every month because he doesn't pay the bill. I wouldn't put it on my credit!

Answer 7

16, i say whenever the kid starts to drive then there is a real need for a cell phone, before that whenever they go out they can borrow a phone from someone/somehwere else.

Answer 8

my daughter was 12yr when she started to ask for a cell phone.
wouldnt get one, then when she was 15yr. and talked to some of my co-workers they got me introduced into buying a cell phone for her and I , and I dont know how I got along without the cell phone its great.
my daughter, I told her that she could only use it to call a couple of friends and we used shared minutes.
and she has done well, she is mature and responsible. and I trust her.

Answer 9

I think that if the child is mature and responsible, it's up to the parent. You know your kids, and if you don't I would say around 16. It all depends on the person.

Answer 10

Dealing with this dilemma right now! My daughter who turns 10 in a couple of weeks; wants one. All of her friends have one; but I think it's ridiculous to have one at that age; but then I don't want her to be "the only one" that doesn't have one. Guess it's a case of keeping up with the Jone's, lol. We still haven't made up our minds; so I will definitely be reading the answers you get for this question!

Answer 11

Depends on how responsable the child is. My daughter just got one a few months ago and she is 13.