What's The Appropriate Age For A Child To Get A Cell Phone? Is 12 Too Young?

Question

I'm asking because my little brother is this age, and wants one. I was thinking about getting him one for Christmas, but am not sure if it's really a good idea or not. Do your children have cell phones? If so, what age did you get it for them? What do you think about a 12 year old with one?

Answer 1

My opinion is that when my child can drive, then he/she needs a cell phone. Before that - I will know where he/she is, and when he/she needs to be home. My SD received one from her Bio dad for her 13th BDAY, and we all thought it was ok - unnecessary, but ok.

Depending on various circumstances, it may be a good idea. I don't know if age is the barrier, necessarily. If it's just to have a cell phone (Which can cause all sorts of problems in school!!!) then, I would recommend against it. My daughter called me today from school - from her friend's cell phone. OH YEAH - SHE'S 8!!!! I was not happy. It was at recess, but still...

PS - make sure your folks are ok with - likely that they will be footing the monthly bills!!!

Answer 2

Maybe arouns 12 or 13 becasue in some cases around that age there can be sum real emergencies considering there can be one all the time but basicly what im saying is when they start midle school just get a basic phone though nothing special maybe a cricket phone or a go phone would be good. And also im 12 in the seventh grade. And when they get about 9 grade then maybe get a kid with a phone company. Or maybe even 8 grade

Answer 3

Both of my children have a cell phone. However, I wouldn't let them have one until age 15. Apparently, that is much older than when most kids receive their first cell phone. I believe that a 15-year-old is more responsible taking care of the equipment and not losing it. I also believe a 12 year old would not use the phone responsibly ( movie theaters, school, excessive minutes and text messages). Both of my kids still have their original phones and they pay for any usage over and above their alloted minutes and text messages. I think they have learned to be responsible with what I consider to be a luxury.

Answer 4

I think it is differnet for every child. I know that my brother is 16 and has one. He got it at an early age because he is in sports and needed to call mom when the bus is leaving the school so she could pick him up. What my family did was get a family plan and it cost only 10 bucks a month and you share the mins. He has to earn it by doing chores or it is taken away. We also have rules about the cell phone. He can make his calls on it after 7 when the FREE mins kick in. My advice... do your research and get the best plan you can maybe for your family ANd sent rules!!

Answer 5

I think 6/7/8 is fine. even 12 is a good age,
for a child to have a recycled/used cell phone on hand. but not in service. As long as it is charged, they can call 911 for emergancys.

12 is way too young. to be chatting about with friends, this is what a home phone is for, and parents can monitor.

Answer 6

i think that 12 is just too young, but then again maybe its more safer for him to keep one. i think the best age to have a cell phone is around 16 years of age, when they receive their driving license....this is the age when people really start "going out." i got my first cell phone at the age of 16 and my younger brother just recently got one at the age of 18. i think you should consider these things, since having a cell phone can possibly influence him or allow him to open up to things that may not be that safe and potentially fall into danger at a young age as that.

Answer 7

If he's a responsible type it;s ok. And he should know th erules for keeping it such as utilizing minutes, and not talking in school, keeping it on silence. It's irritating to be eating in a eatery , or doctors offce, train station ect. and cell phones gong off all around you.
I wouild nopt get a kid a system unless it was with limited minutes that he could not go over. Too many parents or others end up with thousands of dollars in cell phones due to kids.
I sayu a study on middle, and high school kids in california and many of them had 500 to ocer 2000 a month in charges,

Answer 8

my son turns 12 next week... and boy o boy would he love a cell phone.
no way.
at least, not yet.
I MIGHT consider it if he spent alot of time away from home and I needed to 'locate him'. Thus far he has been extremely good at keeping in touch with me when he arrives at a friends, or he calls when he is on his way home, etc.
ALSO.... he is a tad forgetful at the best of times, and I truly wonder how long the cell phone would be around. I am not willing to get upset over a lost phone.... MAYBE when he is a bit older....
What age?
I would think each kid is different and maturity level has alot to do with it. Your guess is as good as mine. I really don't know if there is a magic number.

Answer 9

It really depends on the kid's maturity level. You have received so many opinions, it's time to discuss the issue with your parents if you are still considering it.

We gave my son a cell phone when he was 9. We were nervous about it, because he's not that careful with his stuff, but he guards it with his life and is very careful with calls, text messages, etc. He calls mostly family only (free minutes on the Cingular network). He can call me to pick him up when he's done with Cub Scouts etc. If he's playing outside down the street I can call him to come home for dinner instead of yelling myself hoarse. He uses the phone as a game boy (Yay I saved $$ there) and also as his alarm to wake up each morning. As we tend to lose each other all the time in department and grocery stores (he loves to wander off), we can call each other and get back together LOL. His phone costs us a total of $9.99 per month on our family plan. It's worth our peace of mind.

Answer 10

how is he at taking responsibility for things in his life, such as chores and homework? his maturity level can be judged based on those things, and if he is quite timely when he does his academic assignments and housework, that should be a good indication that he should be able to have a cell phone. But talk this over with your parents and see what they think.