What is the age I should get my kid a cell phone?

Question

I am in a bad situation, i promised him a cell phone for his 10th birthday, and his mother wont let me! Please post a comment saying the right age you think a child should get a cell phone!

Answer 1

When his mother wants him to have one. I would think as young as 6 if it is prepaid and programmed only to call people like his parents home and work numbers and 911. But if he is always under his parents eye he won't need one for being picked up and the school will call if he needs something while in school.
For chatting with friends I don't think I would get them one they should see friends in person and call from the home phone.

Answer 2

Do you both work full-time or is he involved in a lot of activities? If so, I think a cell phone is perfectly appropriate for a 10 year-old.

HOWEVER, it should come with a lot of rules. First off, the cell phone cannot be turned on in school, if he goes over his limit for calls or text messages then he will have to do chores to make up for the high phone bill. If he doesn't do the chores within a week then the phone will be taken away.

You could always get him one of those phones that only allows the child to call mom, dad, or 911. That way he can only call you guys.

And in the future, don't make promises before talking it over with your wife. If you end up denying your child the cell phone then your kid will automatically know that his mom said no. You don't want to make her the bad guy.

Answer 3

It all depends on the child and the situation. My son is 9 and a half years old and his father and I are getting a divorce. I am getting him a cell phone for Christmas and programming my cell number as well as my family's cell phone numbers since we are all on the same network. This way when he goes to Ohio with his father for Christmas (we are in NC) or is with him on the weekends, etc., he can call home whenever he wants at no charge, etc. This is also a great way to help teach responsibility, especially if you get a phone that is not so high tech they will be confused by it.

Answer 4

You should get a cell phone when you are no longer under direct adult supervision.

At 10, your child cannot be left alone legally. Therefore the risks outweigh the benefits (yes there are risks in holding a miniature microwave oven next to a developing brain).

My son got one when he started driving.

My daughter got one when she started going out of town on sports trips. She can call when we need to come pick her up.

Children always "want". 30 years ago, a 10 yr old had to have a "Star Trek" federation manual. 20 years ago the basic need was Star Wars action figures. 10 years ago it was Power Rangers. 5 years ago it was Beanie Babies. Today the perceived basic need of a child is a cell phone.

Unfortunately nobody was beaten or sexually molested because of misuse of their Beanie Baby. Power Rangers to my knowledge are not the triggering device of choice for IED's. You did not have to pay a monthly fee to use your Star Wars action figure. And while the jury is still out on the cell phones.... we are pretty sure the Star Trek Federation Manual does not cause brain cancer.

Answer 5

I beleive a child should get a cell phone at the age when they start going out with their friends all day. Then they need a cell phone to contact their friends, and their parents. I had one when i was 13, and my dad only gave me the cell phone when i went out to the movies or to the mall. I was 15 when they gave me a cell phone full time. But when i had a cell phone... it was relatively new.. remember those huge nokia phones? lol.. i bet with all these new gagets kids are dying to have one and rack up the bills with downloadable internet games.

but its totally up to you, if you think your kid is responsible, talk to your wife about it, but personally i would wait a few years.

Answer 6

13

Answer 7

I think every child should have a cell phone. These days they have ones for kids where they can only call certain numbers.

Answer 8

4

Answer 9

15 years old (when they start high school or start working) Why the hell would anyone younger than that need a cell phone??? They don't know anyone important enough to call yet and all they'll do is rack up minutes and waste money.

Answer 10

My son got his first phone at 13 years old. He wanted one prior to that because all of his friends started getting phones as early as 8 and 9 years old.

I told him that I felt he needed to show me that he was responsible first by doing what he's told, doing his chores without being asked, and doing well in school.

Once I felt he knew that money doesn't grow on trees, and he handled his responsibilities without being forced - I felt as a REWARD that he should get a phone.

I use it as collateral now when he acts up. He doesn't want it taken from him so he has been doing surprisingly well since he got it a few months ago.

Answer 11

I'd wait until he starts high school. Why would a 10 year old need a cell??