How old should a person be until they get a cell phone?

Question

Can you tell me about what age range and if you can, one reason why please?

Answer 1

My neice is 13 and we just got her a cell phone. We did it so we could reach her anytime she is needed. Also with cell phones and the new emergency device I am sure if a person was missin the might could find them. I dunno though.

Answer 2

It depends on the child and the family's lifestyle. In a society where we have 'latch key kids' sometimes the little ones NEED a way to communicate. Both Verizon and Cingular have kiddie phones (the Migo and the Firefly). These phones have the capacity to call only 4 numbers (and 911) that are pre-stored into the phone. Verizon even offers 'Chaperone" which is a service where you can locate your kid's phone thru gps technology. Scary right?

As far as teenagers are concerned? It depends on their maturity. My 16 year old has a cell phone and never goes over her minutes so she has a VZW phone w/ the works - vcast, picture messaging, etc... My 14 year old who is chatty cathy has a Nextell, no pictures, blocked texting, and free incoming minutes. I guess it depends on how convenient is is to the parent to be able to get a hold of the kid, and how responsible and reliable the kid is.

My daughters don't have jobs yet so I can't say the best time is when they can afford it themselves, but they also have good grades and know that having a phone is a perk and they can lose it if they bring home bad grades.

Answer 3

If you are under 18 it is up to your parents to decide when you can get a phone. If they say no then you have to wait because as a minor they would be responsible for the bill. A cell phone is not a necessity despite what most people seem to think. If you are 18 or older then you can get a phone as soon as you can afford to pay the bill yourself and be responsible for it.

Answer 4

If you want a defined age range, I'd say 14-16, right around the beginning of high school.

But I really think it should go by maturity level, and employment status. A 12-year-old who saves his money and buys prepaid cards and manages minutes wisely is more deserving than a 19-year-old who doesn't have a job.

Answer 5

They should be old enough to be respectful on the phone and not yell into it in public, not spend most of their free time playing with it, and already have a social group that the kid can socialize with. I've seen lots of people/kids use cell phones to avoid talking to strangers or to use as a cruch whenever they are in an awkward situation. Pathetic! Have social skills people!!
So, if the person is mature enough to handle themselves socially, they are old enough to use a phone, in my opinion that is.

Answer 6

My daughter got her 1st phone when she was in 5th grade. It was what she wanted for her birthday and of course, most of the other kids had one, too. Another reason was because she was going into a junior high that was a tough school and I wanted her to have it for safety reasons. Now my 9 year old son has one only because he came along way in school and it was well-deserved...more like a reward type thing. By the way, he never uses it.

Answer 7

22 years

Answer 8

well, i think that kids in elementary (within a reasonable grade) should be given a pay as you go phone (so they dont rack up a huge bill) then, as they learn how to manage minutes, they could actually get a real phone a service. then, when they get to getting a job, they should have to help pay for it.

Answer 9

i think 13 or 14, the only reason a kid in elementary school should have one is one of those kiddie phones where you can call the police, and your parents

Answer 10

you should be at least 14 to have a cell phone.