Should a 10 year old have his own cell phone?

Answer 1

No, sorry, that's how I feel. I think 16 is ok when driving. But before then, they do not need one.

Answer 2

Depends on the kid and the situation. A cell phone might be reasonable for a responsible 10 year old who is involved in lots of activities. It would give him a way to reach you and you a way to reach him if you need to coordinate getting him home safely from soccer practice, music lessons or whatever the case may be. On the other hand, if the kid is the type who has lost every jacket he's ever been sent to school with, he may still be a bit young to handle the responsibility. Likewise, if the only reason he wants one is as a status symbol because "all my friends have one," he may not really need one yet.

If you do decide to look into getting a cell phone for your kid and you're worried about the child talking you out of house and home, you may want to consider a "pay as you go" phone. I know T-Mobile has their T-Mobile To Go accounts, and other providers may have something similar. With this type of account, you can load the phone with $10 or $25 worth of minutes and once those minutes are used up, the phone won't work except for 911 calls until you put more money on it. This way, you can make sure your son has enough minutes that he can call you if there's an emergency or he's running late or whatever, but he won't have enough minutes to be talking for hours with his friends. And if he goes through the minutes you put on the phone every couple of days, you'll know he's using the phone just for recreation and can take corrective action.

Answer 3

What do you think? Do you think he is mature enough to have his own cell phone. When i was that age I would say i certainly was not so i got one when i was 12. But you never know. There are loads of 10 year old that are VERY mature yet I have seen loads of 10 year old that are VERY childish. Now you decide, do you think he can handle not losing it/damaging it (i.e dropping it, throwing it around). Its hard to tell because kids are all different. If he is mature in your eyes, sure go for it. if you don't think he is ready you should wait a year or two. In the meantime, I would suggest giving him a task to test his responsibility. Tell him to carry around a small thing like a certain quarter for a certain amount of time like 1 day 2 days give or take. That is one way to test if he won't lose it. Good luck, I hope i helped :\
~Hugz

Answer 4

Depends on his 'social life' and if both parents work. What are his after school activities? His social time with his friends. Today kids can work so many electronics, why not a cell phone. At age 10 a cell phone is simply an additional way of family keeping in touch. Now, if it's for him and his friends to just call each other at random...then I'd say that...no, at age 10 it's not necessary to keep in touch with friends that way...family yes, friends, no.

Answer 5

No but maybe when shes 13 then you could get her one 10 is to young to be having a cell phone.

Answer 6

Hmm...this is every family's dilemma. This would depend on your living situation. I am a single dad of three now grown children. With todays technology, cell phones are relatively cheap. They are also programmable. Alot of people don't realize you can put restrictions on the phones to only call certain people. They even make special phones specifically for children. You can buy them at TARGET. They can only be set to certain numbers and they only take pre-accepted numbers. Depending on the maturity of your child, it is a tough decision. Do you really want your child to grow up that quickly? or do you consider the need or urgencies your child needs to contact you, or you to them? Weigh the issues. They haven't needed them up to now, but if you are single, and work two jobs as I did. They can be a lifeline! Good Luck!

Answer 7

hmmm. Possibly if he is very responsible and u know u can trust him. BUt if u do this you should definitely give some strict rules on who to call, and set a limit on minutes used. You should also let him know you can view who he calls. Personally cell phones should be used for emergencies if u r under 10, in my opinion. But the decision is up to you in the end, u just have to make SURE he has rules on his phone and he can eccept the respnonsibility. My brother is 10 and i know he would lose or accidentally break a cellphone instantly, but everyone is difffernet. remember, u may be taking a risk. But i would give it a try! Good luck and Merry Christmas!

Answer 8

Well, it depends on his situation. I got my first cell phone when I was 9 (I am 13 now). It was very basic. My mom wanted me to have one because she was always at work, and I had a nanny, and several activities I did (tennis, swimming, piano, singing, ballet, guitar, drama). It's also about safety. People these days are NOT nice people. Teachers, after school activity teachers, and even his friend's parents could be predators. I think it is toally reasonable to get him a BASIC cell phone. Don't get him a razr, or anything like that. At my school, a girl in 4th grade had a Sidekick cell phone. Rediculous. Anyways, he could loose it, be not careful with it, or someone could steal it. I hope this helps! REMEMBER: BASIC!!!

Answer 9

only if it was to be used as a way of using it in an emergency or keeping in contact with parents....but i dont think a 10 year old should have a cell phone just to contact friends

Answer 10

That's ridiculous! No 10 year old should be out (except for school) without a parent or babysitter to necessitate a cell phone!

Answer 11

Yes - there are cell phones offered by Verizon that are made just for Kids... they have a way to program 4 numbers -- home, work, friend, emergency contact. This limits who they can talk to and no worrying about the bill.