what do you think is the appropriate time to get a cell phone?

Question

Like at what age?

Answer 1

when u r at the right age, and at the time when a mobile is really needed, not for being "hep" or nything like that.

Answer 2

As a child becomes more mobile, doing more activities away from the parents, then a cell phone is a good thing to have as an insurance policy in case the child needs to contact the parents or vice versa.

But of course, the downside is that the child could abuse the privilege of having a cell phone and rack up one heck of a bill. Teens seem to have their cell phones surgically attached to their faces these days. I know some parents whose kid racked up an $800 bill for the first month of use after getting her first cell phone. Clearly, limits must be set and penalties for violating those limits must be defined.

One way to enforce those limits is to get a cell phone with a predetermined amount of air time. When the air time runs out, the cell phone is unusable and new air time will need to be purchased. But two caveats with that method are that (a) it's a pain to have to keep remembering to buy new minutes, and (b) the minutes can have a way of running out at the most inopportune times -- like even during an emergency.

Some other phone companies have alternative plans such as setting a maximum charge per month for a particular phone and notifying the parents through e-mail or automated phone message if that charge has been reached before the month is over.

As long as you manage it properly and make sure the kid doesn't abuse his/her privilege of owning a cell phone, then it could be a good thing to have, if for no other reason than safety's sake.

Answer 3

16

Answer 4

I was given a cell phone to use when I began to be involved in school activities and when I began to drive on my own. I could always use the one at whereever I was before that. When I began to drive, I wouldn't be with/near a phone anymore, so I have one in case of emergencies and to talk to my parents.

In the state I live in, you may drive without a parent (full license) at the age of 16.

One thing to consider is how will the phone be used. Is it more economical to add on to a parents plan to get free minutes between phones or less expensive to get a prepaid phone and twenty dollars of minutes every 90 days.

Answer 5

depends, if your child is away from you a lot (sports, activities, friends, etc) they do make phones targeted to kids that just allow them to call mom & dad (some even have GPS so you can track where your child is)... if this is the case, I would say around 9 or 10 just to give mom & dad peace of mind.... but if your child wants a cell phone to talk to or message friends, I would say probably 13 or 14, and then only with the understanding that they are responsible for anything that exceeds the basic monthly bill

Answer 6

I think whenever the child is responsible enough to not abuse their privileges, or whenever they seem to need it the most, is the right age. Some kids mature earlier than others. I got my cell when I was 12, if that helps.

Answer 7

Umm I think around 13, because those are the years when you're in middle school and about to start highschool, which is when an emergencies come up the most, it seems like. Like school shootings and whatnot, kids need to have a phone to call 911 or call their parents to come get them. As long as they don't abuse the privelege of having it, no big deal.

Answer 8

Well, it depends on how you need it. If you want it for friends and stuff I would suggest you get one at 13. If it's for emergencies, get one around 11 or 12. Or maybe earlier.

Answer 9

16 years old

Answer 10

75-80. That way you can call and say "I've fallen and I can't get up." Anyone else doesn't need one.