What age is good for a child to get a cell phone?

Answer 1

16, then it's a trac fone, prepaid. No text or photo crappola, a cell phone is for emergencies, not a form of entertainment.

Answer 2

I don't think before Jr year in high school, and then they should have a job and pay the bill. I take this stance for many reasons, one being that kids should not have one while in school or at after school care, etc. Two they do have a home phone, and can use that to be in contact with their friends. Three, it is a great distraction, kids need to be more focused.

We give our kids so many things these days to pull our attention in every direction, and then wonder why on a whole they are becoming fat lazy and unfocused. Seriously.

If it comes along with being responsible, paying for it, great. Think though what child has a need for a cell phone? A genuine need? Put the extra $50 a month in to a savings account or in the college fund. Heck use the $50 month extra to your mortgage bill and pay off a little more principle at a time and avoid some long term interest.

Besides their generation will be the first real generation where we can tell the long term effects of the radiation. Why get them using it before they HAVE to.

Answer 3

Depends on both you and on the child. That is, there is no fix age. If the child suffers from a chronic sickness or something or he/she needs to travel a lot to get to school etc, then you'd agree that you could keep in touch with he/she. Also, think of the type of child and what could happen if the cell is misused; remember that the cell is an opening onto the "world outside", where lies all types of psychos etc... Well, to get a good and unbiased pic of the situation, I think you could try asking the parents of your child's friends or his teacher(s).

Answer 4

In my opinion, up until and including 14, the only type of cellphone you should provide to your child is one that can only dial preset numbers that you have stored in the device. If you shop for a phone for the child, ask the carrier (such as Verizon Wireless, or Sprint or Cingular or what have you) for some ideas about products they carry that do this.

If your child is 14-18 and is mature enough in your eyes and responsible, for example they have good grades, are in clubs and/or sports, then you should decide how you feel about them having a cell phone. They need to understand that it is a privelege (that is earned) and NOT a "right." Good luck to you.

PS. Edit your question and add details of their age and gender.

Answer 5

13

Answer 6

Every body will have a difference of opinion on this question. But what I do is this. I am a single mom of 5 boys, and with my boys they have to be at least 12 years old to have one, but if they bring home anything from a teacher saying that they have missing homework, late assignments, or are getting anything below a "c" than the phone gets taken away until the homework is done and handed in or that you get a letter from the teacher stateing that their grade is no longer a "d" or an "f", they are now getting a "c" or better. As long as they can keep good grades, get their homework done, and chores done, and aren't talking back to you, ect., than as long as they are 12 or older than I think it's a good idea for them to have one. That way if they have to stay late after school, or need a ride home from somewhere, or are riding their bikes and get into an accident, they can at least give you a phone call and let you know what is going on in their lives. They can be life savors. But make sure you have rules for them, most schools will allow them to bring them to school, but they must be turned off during school hours, and they can only use them before or after school, and what ever rules you make, make sure he follows them or take it away for awhile.

Answer 7

As an educator and working in a high risk area school we are prone to several lockdowns where we might stay after school for a while. Also living in california we are prone to earthquakes. my students in second grade are the ideal candidates for cell phones because they are able to reconigze the numbers and dial a sequence of them with the comprehension that they will get ahold of a parent. Plus at that age they feel important enough to be trusted with a phone. My suggestion is a phone called the Firefly. It can be easily purchased and activated at target or other retail stores. it can only acces preprogramed numbers including 911. try it out it worked for my niece. plus it is very kid friendly

Answer 8

I would think that when there old enough to go off by themselves such as like the fair, you can let them run around and have a cell to get ahold of them when you want them back..also though a suggestion if that is the case a set of walkie talkies are great alot of them reach up to 6 miles or more..but if they are older and are staying after school for somthing there are many cell phones that are made just for kids..i just seen a commercial on tv about disney phones. but It may be better if they wait till there older.

Answer 9

Your child using cell phones at an early age does not really matter as it will actually enable you to know their whereabout at all times and they can contact you if they get into trouble. I would say 9yrs is a suitable age for a cell phone as your child will be growing by then.

Answer 10

12

Answer 11

12