What do you think is an appropriate age to buy a cellphone for a kid?

Question

My daughter Paige is wanting one sooo bad. She's 11, almost 12. She goes 2 the mall so she WOULD use it, but do you think that is a good age? or if not, what age? she mature too. I don't know!?!?!!?!

Answer 1

I would say when they can pay the bill. Get her a firefly or something with 4 numbers programmed in.

Ash

Answer 2

I don't think any kid needs a cell phone. But if parent and child mutually agree on it, I think a good age would be when the "child" will be primarily transporting themselves to activities and events (ie: when they start driving on their own).

It really depends on when the parent wants to supply the phone and who is footing the bill.

Also, I don't buy into the "just because everyone else has one" as a good enough reason. I don't care if every kid in my town has one at age 9, that's not a good enough reason for my child to have one. Each family is different and kids have enough peer pressure without parents buying into the hype too.

Answer 3

I am 12 and I have a phone. I got it when I was 11 but I gave it back to my mom at 11 and a half cuz I didn't use it. It depends if your daughter goes places like the mall, movies and stuff like that. When I started going places I asked my mom for it back. Tell her she can only use it for calling her parents that was my rule. And I think its very fair.

Answer 4

Unless it's one of those firefly ones where you can only call certain numbers and receive calls from certain numbers, I would say not until they're able to pay for it themselves. I don't care how well you think that you can trust your child, when they are out of your sight, you have no idea what they might be doing. A cell phone is a good tool to use when they're in trouble, but a lot of pre-teens don't have the self control or the understanding of money to realize that the talking they do on a cell phone costs money, and that they need to conserve their minutes.

Answer 5

It really depends on how mature your child is and what kind of phone you are thinking about purchasing. My son is 11 and he wanted a cell phone. He's a pretty responsible kid, but I am not footing a cell phone bill for an 11 year old. Instead we opted for a tracfone. He can't go over his minutes and he pays for it himself with money he makes for doing chores around the house.

Answer 6

i think their is no age limit, i think it has to do with a childs maturity level. i wouldn't buy a phone for a 15 year old if all they did was talk on the phone, b/c i know they would run up the bill. I wouldn't buy a phone for a child who always loses things, like the house keys ect., b/c i know they may lose the phone or not take care of it. if the child was 9 years old and didn't do those things i would get my child a phone. not only if they wanted, but more importantly because i can reach my child if i needed to, and my child could reach me.

Answer 7

depends on the need. My six year old had one for a little while. Never did use it. The school teacher and bus driver sent her home with a sitter.. but my duaghter was crying as she didn't remember the sitter! They sent my daughter with someone she didn't know! The teacher had a cell.. but didn't call me because 'she knew the girl'. I got my kid a phone and set it up so she knew how to call only me. Anywya, I didnt' do that shift again... and I ended up swiching her schools (other reasons too)... her minutes ran out unsed. So if there is a need, I would get one early. I see some kids on the playground have them, but I let my duaghter use walkie talkies instead... 12 is young.. but hey, if you give it to her.. then you have something to take away if she starts disresepecting you... but 12 does seem young if it is just for friends.. especially if you are paying for it

Answer 8

our days, kids have cell phones by age 9, so your daughter's demands are not that out of line. However, you will realize that phone bills can be expensive and unless you teach her how to manage her phone calls, time management... and that she be aware of the cost of her phone bill and she doesnt go overboard with text messaging and talk on the phone till the early hours of the morning, then it should be ok. She is probably in middle school by now, and it is a good way to keep in touch in case of emergencies and stuff like that.

Answer 9

Well, I didn't get a cellphone until I was eighteen (because my dad refused to pay the bill. I had to do it myself). If your daughter stays gone and you think it's best she has a cellphone, I say get her one. However, if it's just to talk, she's too young. She can use the house phone. My aunt's friend got her son a cellphone, because he plays a lot of sports and he's gone so he has a cellphone so he can call if he has a problem. And he's 13. So, it's up to you.

Answer 10

I think 13-14 is most appropriate. I like what my parents are doing for me. They lay a set amount of money each month that they will pay, anything over that, I have to pay for. I think that if she is able to support a little bit of the bill each month (if it goes over) then she could have one. I use my phone all the time. Another thing you could have her do is sit down and make a list of reasons she thinks she needs the phone and if you decide she could get one, look at plans and discuss with whateer company what she would be using it for, texting, nights/weekends, downloading, etc. Then, I would definitely lay down rules for it. I know I would have gone crazy with my phone if I wasn't inside the rule box. Things like how late she can be on it, who she can talk to, who she can give her number to, etc. etc...it drove me insane, but I realize why I needed them. My parents have relaxed on many of the rules since I have gotten older and shown that I can be responsible with one. Do what you think is best for her and it will work itslef out. Hope I helped.

Answer 11

I think 12 is a good age. You can put so many controls on those things now I think she would be fine. My friend got her 5 year old son a cell and I think that is just stupid and a waste of money!!! What 5 year old even talks on the phone??