Should an 8 year old be allowed to have a cell phone?

Answer 1

Absolutely not. Parents need to start drawing a line in the sand! There are somethings, no matter how culturally acceptable, that 8 year olds should not do. There is absolutely NO reason for an 8 year old to have a cell phone. They can't drive. The only places they go are school, home, out with friends - all places where they are supervised by adults who, in an emergency, will call their parents. There is nothign good that can come from an 8 year old having a cell phone.

Answer 2

although many kids have them I think this is a definate know. I have an 8 year old and I would not allow her to have a cell phone. My feeling is these that if you give a kid a cell phone at 8 then what are you going to give them when they are 10, 12, 14, and 16. Not only that but children don't need a cell phone. This gives them more privacy and access to things that at such a delicate and vulnerable age they don't need. Just my thoughts but you know your child.

Answer 3

A year ago I would have died hearing of giving an 8 year old a cell phone. That was before my son's 'babysitter' (a family member) forgot to pick him up from the bus and he sat on the front porch for 45 minutes alone.

I say, if it's for emergencies and not for gossiping with friends...sure. It'll ease yours and theirs fears.

I love the concept of the new kids phones where you program the numbers and they can't call anyone else, however, unless your provider offers on of these, they are expensive. the prepaid ones are great in concept but the minutes expire every month so you might as well give them the free phone and add them to your plan.

Answer 4

No, I don't think so. At least not for personal use. I friend of mine lets her nine year old take an extra cell phone when she goes on sleepovers or to a friends house. Its a privilege. She's only allowed to use it to call home.

There are some companies who have cell phones (sorry I don't know the specifics) that you can preset numbers for. Like home, mom's cell phone, grandma, and 1 friend. Or something. That way its a cell phone, but its limited.

Answer 5

If it would make you feel better to know he's got one of those call-home-only phones, I don't see why you should tuck one in his backpack in case he misses a school bus or something like that; but I think 8 is way too young for a cell phone. If he ever stays over at someone else's house it might be nice for him to pack a call-home-only phone in his bag as well.

He isn't going to want to be worrying about one if he's out playing (and even if he wanted to no child that age will take care of one correctly and not lose it).

If he likes the cell phone let him call his other parent or some other relative once in a while from your phone or let him play games on it if you out in a restaurant or visiting, but that ought to be enough to satisfy any wish he has to use one for now.

Answer 6

An 8 year old should be shown how to call 911 or a family member on a cell phone. That's about it.

Answer 7

The only kids that MAYBE need a cell phone are the ones with 2 parents working and will be alone when they get home from school OR they are very active in after school activities and times and schedules may change. The average child does not need one at all.

Answer 8

Yes; they are good in safety-related situations. Put a limit on her monthly time, however, and make her pay you back if she goes over it. You might even want to consider getting a family plan, so she can only phone members of her immediate family, or else will be charged extra. Do some research on the internet to find out more about the pros and cons of children having cell phones.

Answer 9

No not unless it is for use to keep up with family happenings....say if both parents work and you are running late that way you can give her instructions on where she needs to be. But just for talking to her friends, she should be able to get all the talking to friends done in a short amount of time on the family home phone. It would just be a waste of money and she may end up spending too much time on the phone instead of playing and being a kid.

Answer 10

Okay look they have these new cell phones avaliable for youngins where they can only call mom/dad fire dept or police station u can only use a limitedd people they can call they cant amke direct calls to just anbody just the people on the phone I THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA BECAUSE WHEN I WAS 7 I was followed ALL THE TIME BY Different guys where I lived thank god nothign was rthe outcome BUT IT WOULD BE A GREAT JUST INCASE UNTIL UR CHILD GETS OLDER I THINK THE COMPANYY WHO HAS THIS IS EITHER SPRINT CINGULAR OR VERIZONE ONE OF THOSE I WOULD CHECK IT OUT!