What age for a cell phone?

[StagLefty]

I had 2 cans and a string when I was 8.

[Monky]

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]

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]

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.

[brutal]

When I was 16 phones looked like this.

[crays]

Riiiigghht...

[mackbamf]

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...

[Punkface]

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]

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.

[al_g]

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.