When should i get my kids a cell phone?

Question

What is the right age to buy a kid a cell phone. I know it has to do with how responsible they are, but I am just curious. They are both 8 year old boys. They may need one because they have soccer practice 3 times a week, school, and at a friend's house or something. I wouldn't buy them something like a Sidekick, but just a cheap, simple phone that they could use to call their mom or me in case of emergency. Any answers would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I think the company firefly has a phone especially designed for kids. There are only a few buttons and YOU preprogram the phone. You can only call certain numbers and you can have control over when the phone can be used. try going to the cellular store and ask about phones for kids. they do make phones just for kids.

Answer 2

When it gets to the point where they need to talk to you because they have activities and such, I feel it's time for a cell phone. Pre-pay phones are an option ... that way you don't have to worry about them running up the phone bill ... and you can tell them that they can't stay on the phone that long or the minutes will run out and they won't be able to contact you. Also, some of the phones are really cheap ($20) and if they're lost (or stolen ... which happens a lot with kids and cell phones), it's no big deal. Also, some pre-pay companies, such as Net 10, have great coverage and the minutes don't cost that much.

Answer 3

I was always one of those that felt that younger kids do not need a cell phone. But in todays world with both mom and dad working, kids being involved in extra activities after school and on weekends, I can now see the necessity. I would say that your boys are old enough to have phones. AT&T has something called a GoPhone that has worked very well for my daughter. You purchase the phone and then drop whatever amount of money on the phone that you wish (there are different plans) and recharge the money and minutes when need be. I have also seen phones at Sams Club, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc. for reasonable prices. Disney has a phone that is very easy to use that you pre-load with 4 to 5 numbers and those are the only numbers that they can call, 9-1-1 being one of them. There is also a phone called a Jitterbug that is being targeted towards older folks, but would be great for a kid; simple to use and fairly inexpensive.

Answer 4

What if the child had an emergency at school? Over the years school shootings have gone up and a cell phone could help the child in school. The student could tell those outside where they are and what the attacker is doing. This could very well aid police in arresting the attacker before anyone is hurt. Another reason is that there is a risk of someone kidnapping a child, and though it is relatively rare it is still possible. Most cell phones have GPS so the police can find the child faster and return the child to their parents. Another good reason is that in case of an accident the child would be able to call 911 faster and therefore potentially save lives. Any lastly (though I have several more in my arsenal) the cell phone would help a child keep in touch with friends and family no matter what they are doing or where they are. This would help if there were a family emergency and the child had to be contacted quickly in order to notify them. For example: My dad recently had a heart attack, upon arriving to the hospital my dads heart stopped and he stopped breathing. My mom was hysterical and in shock and the only person that the hospital could call was me. I was at the mall with some friends and immediatly went to the hospital to console my mom. Because of the hospitals phone call I was able to tell them not to use latex gloves because my dad was allergic to them, therefore preventing further harm. My dad survived the heart attack with no lasting side effects.

Answer 5

Hi,
I can't stand cell phones. They are so annoying, however, I can see a use for them with kids. You are coming up on 9, this is the age they start trying to find their identity. This is a good age to start setting up awards, privileges, and discipline. The cell phone will be a good tool.
They should really understand that this is a tool, a privilege, not a necessity that can be abused.
If you can get the phone model without text messaging or camera functions you'll save money. Texting can get very expensive very fast unless you get a good deal with this feature. Next ; the GPS feature. I think this is worth the money, you can find there location at anytime and its a safety feature.
Good Luck...

Answer 6

To tell the truth, they don't need a phone. I didn't get a phone until I was 15. One month is all it took for me to realize how little I use it. I'm a guy who likes to use learn by error methods so i just wonder farther and farther until I find new things, which is why I got a phone in the first place. I really didn't need it as much as I thought I would.I ended up just using it to browse the web all the time. Your children might if you want to be super-safe. I think wait until they are at least teens to give them the responsibility of a phone. Do yourself a favor and don't get them an internet-enabled phone; you want them to stay kids. Thats IF you decide to even get them one. Good luck and I recommend a non-flip screen-less phone( for durability)

Answer 7

I personally thing 8 years old is too young for a cell phone. I wouldn't give them a cell phone until atleast double digits, but personally, 9th grade. That's when they start to be real independent. As long as they are as young as they are, their will always be parents around and they have cell phones. I sure the other soccer moms have cell phones, their are house phones for when they are over a friends house. Don't make it so easy for them to pick up a cell phone and call. They need to learn responsibility by knowing to call you by any means. They should learn to ask a parent they know to use the phone to call you. Once they proove they can do that, then give them a cell phone.

Answer 8

That's a tough question. Cell phones are good for emergencies and last minute changes, but then again, you never know what they would do, who they would call, or who could get their number.

If I had children, I think 8-10 would be just right.

Answer 9

ok...i hope i don't get "stoned" for saying this, but my question is...why do kids "need" a cell phone? i know that i survived without one, as i am sure you did too. my kids want one too because all of the other kids have them...i don't give in to that...they have practices too...but i am there with them, and if there is a conflict where i have to leave one to run the other, then i have another parent keep they're eye on them (who have a cell, and know my # say anything were to happen)...as far as school goes...aren't there phones at the school? and surely...they can't use them during school hours. and if they are at a friends house....hopefully they have a phone they can use there....i just don't see the justification in kids getting cell phones....just parents giving in more and more to society

Answer 10

I'd suggest NOT getting them phones. We all grew up without them and managed to do fine.

Consider getting a kids' phone like a Firefly. They give you control over how your children use the phone. I know that you think you're 8 year olds are responsible and perhaps they are. But, they're still 8. $1000+ phone bills are really no fun. http://www.fireflymobile.com/flyphone/