At what age should you trust your child with a cell phone?

Answer 1

Eighteen, but only if he/she has signed the cell phone contract.

Answer 2

I think it totally depends on the child. We got our daughter one when she started high school, and it was a good move, because she would stay after school so many times, and it was so much easier on the family when she could just call and say "come get me at 6" or whatever. Definitely when they start driving, because they'll need one then if they get stranded or break down. But, I do think you need to be prepared for the unexpected phone bill, when the kid goes way over their minutes (like our daughter did last month). She'll be paying that one off for a few months...LOL

Seriously, it's like any responsibility. Set a plan up that works for your family. If the phone is to be used only for contacting family, set it up that way. If they can use it to talk to friends, figure out how that will fiscally work as well. Just set the ground rules up, and stick to them. Good luck!

Answer 3

i gave my children cell phones when they were in 6th grade, so 11 yrs old, simply because of all the crazies in this world, it seemed like the right thing to do. It gave them the security of knowing that they could call me and me the comfort of knowing that I could reach them. However, along with the cell phone came the limitations. They were only allowed to call us and were not allowed to give out their phone number to anyone else. Both of my children were respectful and responsible with their phones. Now they are in high school and have never gone over their minutes and/or text message allotments. I think that if you can trust your children with this responsibility and privilege, then they will not betray it.........only you know your children......

Answer 4

around 12-13 but do not buy a cell phone which requires a contract or monthly bill. they make trac phones which are cell phones. you purchase the phone for 30.oo and then buy the minutes on a card and program in the phone very simple. only buy one card once a month. when they run out of minutes tell them oh well you will have to wait til next month or start doing extra work to buy your own minutes. learn to use them wisely or you dont need them.

Answer 5

14

Answer 6

I have four children, which my eldest is 12. My older two have cell phones, however, there are settings on the phone which allows us to control who call them and whom they call. They can't call anyone outside of the network and they can't receive any calls outside of the net work. If they want to just talk and shoot the breeze, their friends can call the house and that way we can see who they are receiving calls from. I am very conservative and I don't just let them have private conversations and people in their lives that I don't know. So, maybe this is too micro managerial for you, but it works for us. My girls have not gone over their minutes and are very responsible with their phone. It took some guidance from their father and I though.

Answer 7

I got a cell phone (w/ prepaid cards, no contract) when I turned 16 and I've been hooked ever since...

They even sell cell phones especially made for small kids now...
I saw one in a dpt. store the other day and it only had 4 preprogrammed buttons (you know, the 1st one is the police, 2nd is home, 3rd is grandma's house, etc.)
I thought it was a brilliant way to keep in touch with your child w/o having him call in China just for fun ;)

Answer 8

It all depends if you think he is a dependable person,and a responsible person.Some kids get them at 11 and some wait until they are 13or older.Before giving permission, make sure you let him know what you expect of him write it down and make him sign it. Now you have a contract with him. Sometimes it is necessary to give your child a phone at an early age. especially if both parents work, and this is your way to keep in touch until you get home.

Answer 9

I would not provide one to my child. First of all, these teens do not pay attention to how minutes fly away as long as they don't have to foot the bill. Secondly, I do believe that overusing a cell phone can really lead to brain tumors and as long as I am responsible for my child am I not going to expose my child knowingly to that risk.
If you still feel that you should provide one to your child/children: look at them with objective eyes and evaluate how mature and responsible they are to prevent disaster, because they can rack up a bill in a flash....Good Luck

Answer 10

I say at age 12 or so, start out with those little Disney phones where you can monitor them and where they go, what they do, how many minutes you allow them to have, etc... Try the Disney phone. Then upgrade when they get old enough and show responsibility.

Answer 11

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