View Full Version : What age for a cell phone?
Curious what age people think is appropriate for a cell phone? Our daughter is about to turn 11 and has been asking for one for quite a while. We already have the phone (extra from an upgrade) and adding it to our plan is $15 a month. We also monitor everything going in and out of the house and she's not on Facebook or any social media sites, she wants it to communicate with us and her grandparents. Just wondering what you think. [Coffee]
Both of my kids got basic phones when they were 10yrs old. That's when they started flying as unaccompanied minors.
Madeinhb
09-20-2014, 21:05
You can get her a phone that you can lock with a password for any calling outside of the phonebook and you can't add numbers without the password.
boomerhc9
09-20-2014, 21:24
I'd also suggest one without a camera, or can disp;ay pictures. like a pay as you go phone. I got a burner cell that doesn't do photos. Was ten bucks, and I've been through 2 phone number changes with it.
Rooskibar03
09-20-2014, 21:25
Mines had my old iPhone for about a year but only active over wifi to prove she could not loose or break it. She turned 10 in July and I acrovated it as a normal phone but I don't want to put it on a contract so I can turn it off if she proves she can't handle it.
As as an only child I like the idea of her having a way to keep in touch.
I got my first cell when I got my driver's license. A Nokia brick phone. Probably still running, wherever it is.
Eggysrun
09-20-2014, 21:27
When they get a job and pay for their own bill.
I got mine when I was 17, but times have changed after 15 years lol
I got my first one at 37, my kids when they started to drive.
hurley842002
09-20-2014, 21:29
When they get a job and pay for their own bill.
I got mine when I was 17, but times have changed after 15 years lol
Yup, I got one when I was 16, but I also paid the bill. One of the original Motorola flip phones if I remember right.
Eggysrun
09-20-2014, 21:40
Yup, I got one when I was 16, but I also paid the bill. One of the original Motorola flip phones if I remember right.
Mine was like those first razor phones that came out
When my son started after school activities.
Zundfolge
09-20-2014, 21:45
We don't have kids (nor cell phones) so you can feel free to dismiss this as simple curmudgeonism if you like, but frankly I think a kid should get their first cell phone when they're old enough to sign the contract and buy their own damn phone.
spqrzilla
09-20-2014, 21:48
Get 'em a flip phone. Voice calls and texts. Nothing else until they can pay for it themselves. Seriously, there is much evil involving kids and smart phones.
Most people, especially teachers can attest to the problems they can create in and out of school. A phone is perfectly fine to have, but with much caution as texting, pictures, sharing numbers with every kid etc can all turn ugly fast. Rumors are a simple group text away, serious distractions are in your pocket all the time, and stupid pictures or video are just a click away.
tmleadr03
09-20-2014, 22:10
My daughter is 6. She has already started to ask when she can get a phone. My answer is the same for all her other "can you buy me x" questions. You want that? Then you should get a job a buy it yourself. Her mom is spending money on her at the drop of a hat when she is with her so she constantly gets something new when she goes somewhere. Not with me.
buffalobo
09-20-2014, 22:14
Some good advice above. Our kids got cell phones when they no longer had to abide by house rules.
Full disclosure - my kids are older than many members on this forum, cell phones where not yet common when they were still in high school.
When she started walking to school outside of the neighborhood at 15. She got one of the older phones which is good for talking and some basic texting. All of my kids are told and frequently reminded that if I am paying for it, I reserve the right to review any content. This includes, email, text, Facebook, and anything else that they may get involved in on-line. Don't like it? Hand it back and you can do what you want when you leave the house and pay your own bills.
Thanks everyone and there is some good advice here. I already have the phone so there isn't much of an issue there and she would be paying for the service. I look at social media training similar to firearms training, they have to understand the power and the danger if not used properly. She understands that we watch everything, in fact I capture every packet in and out of the house and have for years. I know I can't do the same with cellular but her misusing it isn't a major issue for us.
ruthabagah
09-20-2014, 23:36
6th grade. Just because there is no after school program offer and we both work and couldn't pick them up. Kids got my beat up old iphone, so that I could track them using "Find My Iphone" and control what messages they would send and receive. Never had a problem with overage or any texting issues. If they start messing with me or give me attitude I just lock their phone remotely! If they are not home, and I see that they are at a friend house, I just start the "find my Iphone" function and it beep so loud they can't ignore it!
Worked for us.
blackford76
09-20-2014, 23:38
Mine was like those first razor phones that came out
That is what I'm still using!
My daughter is 11. I fought with my wife as she was in favor of giving her a cell phone for a number of reasons and I was not. About half of her friends have them, some have had them since 7 or 8. What eventually convinced me - I wrote a contract that she had to read, understand, and sign, and it has consequences. It took me a few days as I asked other parents for ideas and copied some good ideas I found online. I also turned off all games, camera web browsing, etc. on her phone. She is only allowed to call or text (respond) to people who are in her address book, which my wife or I control. This has actually worked out extremely well for us, as my daughter is learning responsibility and she's had it at least 6 months now with zero issues. She was provided with an otterbox case to protect it, but knows she'll have to pay herself if it's ever damaged or needs upgrade/repair. I let her have feedback into the rules, wording and consequences on the contract. We'll eventually relax some of the restrictions, but it'll be quite a while before I open up internet access or social media.
Curious what age people think is appropriate for a cell phone? Our daughter is about to turn 11 and has been asking for one for quite a while. We already have the phone (extra from an upgrade) and adding it to our plan is $15 a month. We also monitor everything going in and out of the house and she's not on Facebook or any social media sites, she wants it to communicate with us and her grandparents. Just wondering what you think. [Coffee]
You're going to get a mess of answers here....
Very diverse community here.
Some people will say 10 to whatever age... and some will say "when they can buy their own damn phone."
It's up to you. But if it was me, I'd say middle school.
Posted Via Glade Plug In.
Double00
09-21-2014, 09:21
We went with middle school with both of our kids. Of course my daughter is a senior now and has a better phone than me!
Got a cell phone when I was 16... Nokia, the only non phone feature it had was snake, and I played the crap out of that game. It didn't text, it could only call. My how things have changed...
StagLefty
09-21-2014, 11:06
I had 2 cans and a string when I was 8.
The only reason a child should have a cell phone is if they walk to/from school, just in case. Too many creeps out there...
Sent by a free-range electronic weasel, with no sense of personal space.
rockhound
09-21-2014, 12:11
seems it has become a necessity for our kids, although the 15 year old is the only one that has one.
the middle schoolers are both into sports, coordinating pick up after games and track has become an issue. they travel pretty far so a sett return time is hard, they ahve to use the coaches phone.
i do not allow facebook or other social media, the ipod touch has been ok for a while as they can call their friends that have an ipod or iphone
Aloha_Shooter
09-21-2014, 12:45
Depends on the kid, really, but use it as an opportunity to learn responsibility. If nothing else, it gives her an option for emergency situations. Set voluntary and involuntary limits so she learns to moderate her behavior on her own but you have circuit breakers in case someone (not necessarily her, could be a friend who picks up her phone or a stranger who finds/steals it) goes nuts. I have one nephew who does fine with his cell phone while his younger brother went crazy with texting and got his privileges revoked.
Zundfolge
09-21-2014, 14:37
Got a cell phone when I was 16... Nokia, the only non phone feature it had was snake, and I played the crap out of that game. It didn't text, it could only call. My how things have changed...
When I was 16, cell phones looked like this
http://3219a2.medialib.glogster.com/media/17/179002e27912bbfd35d39d439107eee1029654038c91a40957 8b59b0e853ae8f/cell-phone-in-1985-jpg.jpg
And cost something like $4500. Times have changed indeed.
When I was 16 phones looked like this.
http://www.consumerwarningnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/rotary-phone.jpg
When some members were 16 phones looked like this.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/18cq2x8rm4wx4jpg.jpg
or this
http://www.oocities.org/kathyl.geo/stuff-candlestick-phone-front-view.jpg
I think we may have had a princess phone for a while, then a wall mounted rotary in the kitchen with a 40' cord. THAT was mobile.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/18cq2zxg8kftfjpg.jpg
Anyone remember party lines?
Anyone remember party lines?
Didn't you also post this in "I Really Miss That..."
49861
I'm sensing a theme here... [ROFL1]
Didn't you also post this in "I Really Miss That..."
49861
I'm sensing a theme here... [ROFL1]
haha, But to be perfectly clear, that wasn't something posted that I miss, it was a response to another post that looked like the item pictured.
I always get nervous when I'm swimming, and a mushroom swims by...
mackbamf
09-21-2014, 16:18
We tried to hold off, but when my son turned 11 with his school and sports schedule it made sense, he got an iPhone for his birthday...
Rooskibar03
09-21-2014, 17:07
Hell I bet there were some with this.
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm251/cmuthard03/e3bb9d9f9a393fa9f90b675148cde1d1_zps1f309303.jpg
When some members were 16 phones looked like this.
http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/18cq2x8rm4wx4jpg.jpg
or this
http://www.oocities.org/kathyl.geo/stuff-candlestick-phone-front-view.jpg
Punkface
09-21-2014, 17:28
I'm younger than most the guys on this forum but I got my first phone at 14. I bought it myself and paid for it with the money I made from mowing lawns and selling sodas at school.
I would give the kid a phone when after school activities such as sports or clubs came into the picture. Or at about 12-14. That's the age where they start hanging out with their friends more and start leaving houses to hang out at places such as the mall/movies/etc. My niece recently got a cell phone and she has some pretty reasonable restrictions. Such as: no phone at the dinner table, no phone during homework, phone stays downstairs at night, phone turns off before going to bed, parents can take/look at the phone whenever they want, and when the parents call she has to pick up immediately or call back within 20 minutes with a good reason.
The cell phone is a tool and a privilege. Also, any future phones and phone repairs are financially on the niece.
Holger Danske
09-21-2014, 19:11
Jusr got phones for my 14 and 11 year old boys. The wife and I anguished over the decision, but so far so good. The 14 year old is definately more responsible. Both turn their phones in at night and can only call folks in the phone book. Actually works well with sports, scouts and school to keep in contact with them.
I think early teens, depending on when the kid is responsible enough and there is a need for that close of communication. On Saturday my wife was getting a new phone and there was a girl that looked around 4-5 getting a new iPhone, way too young in my opinion. I really expect my soon to be born son will be asking for a phone in 3-4 years just because of the hipsters who think everyone needs a phone.
I got my own cell phone at 18, when I was able to pay for it. During high school, I was able to borrow my parents on weekends. I find that this is about the only area my wife and I differ on when it comes to kids. She feels they should have one much sooner. I say MAYBE when they're 16 and can drive. If they do get a phone prior to them paying for it, it will be the MOST basic phone possible and they'll hand it over when they walk in the house. None of this "I stare at my phone during meals/conversations at home" crap.
Mine has been bugging for at least 3 years, answer is the same when you work and demonstrate you will be responsible and pay bill. An outline has been prepared and it has not happened in over a year. Grades too.
I told him everyone else has a cell phone too, so he can call me.
I am suprised none posted the cell phone of the early 1980's:
http://www.mailcase.com/images/lineman-handset.jpg
You could always tell her you'll get her a cell phone when she passes her HAM tech and general tests. :)
I think I got my first one at about 22. Seems about right. Man, that bag phone was awesome. [Coffee]
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