At what age should one buy a Mobile Phone for a Kid?

For safety purposes, most middle schools are allowing cell phones for students.

I agree with lindagoffigan in that a cell phone is really necessary for children as a safety measure. And the age that they really need one is when they start going places on their own.

I personally would even give one to a child of mine as soon as it was able to understand and operate it as children often get separated and lost from their parents in big department stores or anywhere with crowds and phone contact would help in these cases enormously.

I guess it all depends on how responsible the kid is. I think between the ages 12 or 13 years of age. I say that because kids start to associate more with others around this age. Whether it be their hang out times with their peers like going to malls, movies & parks. Then of course, there is the puppy love stages where they start talking to their friends more on the phone. Also when kids are commuting home from school its a good link for the parents to keep up with your child in their absense. So I think the mobile or cell phones becomes a necessity around this age period and also depending on the need for one.

I don't think age has as much to do with whether a child should have a cellphone as much as necessity. I have 3 children in my home. One is my Daughter (15), Stepdaughter (15), and Stepson (11). My daughter has a cellphone because she is back and forth to her dads house and has a very busy social life where the need for me to contact her and her to contact me is important. My Stepdaughter and Stepson are always where I can get ahold of them if needed so we do not spend the money on a cellphone at this time until it changes. You will know when the time is right when you start worrying about them when they are away from you and wishing they had a phone on them so you can call them.

anisetta - it appears to me as if you do not like "change". While I would also love to have the security of the world you describe, the world is not like that anymore (if it ever was). Security and safety is definately an issue today and the urge to "be like other kids" is a long held desire. Cell phones have their place, monitoring how the child uses the phone and restricting it's use by buying a prepaid phone is much more revelant today. I vote with M. Goodwin...it's the responsible parental answer.

The right age is when your child convinces you that most of his or her friends have cell phones and lets you know that she or he feels left out because she doesn't have one.

as is true with most children, it depends on the child and his/her particular circumstances. if they are on their own a lot, need to contact home regularly for pick-up or just to check in then, yes, they need a cell. unfortunately the old stand-by payphone is no longer an option. most of the time you can't even find one! assess your child's needs and whether or not they have 'earned' the responsibility of owning and taking care of a cell phone, then decide if you can bear the additional expense.

do the kid a favor and don't buy them a mobile phone.

I'd have to be at least 30 before I'd buy a mobile phone for a child.