At what age would you allow your child to have a Cell phone? Why?

1. 68

   Writerly Yoursposted 14 years ago

   At what age would you allow your child to have a Cell phone? Why?
   
   What rules would you apply once they have the phone?

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2. 59

   noturningbackposted 14 years ago

   When they show themselves as mature enough to use it responsibly.
   I would say from about the age of 10 and up.
   I would want them to have it in case of emergencies.
   They would have to leave it on vibrate in school, no texting , or use in school except on breaks- if allowed by the school- and once home turned off by 8pm if younger and later if older with the time deemed appropriate for them by you.

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3. 66

   Aussieteacherposted 14 years ago

   Luckily my children are older, but it is an issue we discuss in relation to our grand children. I'd say it depends.  At my grandchildren's schools, students are not allowed to use them, and if they need to call home they go to the school office.  There is no reason for them to have a phone.  However, if they were older and likely to be on their own somewhere, a phone may be useful, but I would suggest that the parents give them one with an active SIM card, to use for emergencies.  I think they will not be given one to use freely until they earn their own money.
   
   I see 9 and 10 year old kids with them and wonder what sort of life they have if they need one at that age.

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4. 68

   Writerly Yoursposted 14 years ago

   Thank you to all! Great answers. My boy is 8 and he knows not to even ask! I know where he is at all times and the school has my phone number and can call me anytime. 
   
   We shall see once he gets older.
   
   Thank you everyone. This was my first question on HP and I am thankful for your feedback.
   
   Happy Holidays.

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5. 71

   onegoodwomanposted 14 years ago

   All of my kids had cell phones long before I did.  But I did not pay for them.
   
   Now, that they are so prevalent, I would think, that once your kids start going to the ball field or the mall ( etc) with their friends rather than with a parent or other adult family member, would be a good time.  If parents are providing the service, it requires parental control and monitoring.
   
   For the younger ones, I would consider one of those plans where the child can call me, a grandparent, favoured aunt or other trusted person.
   
   Kids do not need a phone on their hip in class or while mowing the family back yard!  They are not responding to emergencies and don't need 500 hours of unlimited talk and text.
   
   Does your child NEED a phone?  Are they coming home to an empty house with no land line?  Are they walking to the park or home from school?  Do they have an after school job to pay for the service?  Like curfews and driving lessons, the answer depends upon the child and the family unit.

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6. 37

   Rusty32posted 14 years ago

   It depends on your circumstances.
   
   In our situation my daughter who is seven has one.  The reason however is for safety as we are expats in the Middle East (sometimes the behavour of some of the local kids at the school is a bit rough!).  She is however, only allowed to make calls to my wife or myself in an emergency, and not to anyone else.
   
   An example is when my four year old daughter was pushed down some stairs, my seven year old daughter called us.
   
   For us it provides a lot of peace of mind.

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7. 61

   MickSposted 14 years ago

   When they are old enough to go out to work and buy their own.

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8. 0

   Helpful Hannaposted 14 years ago

   Depending on how responsible they are, I think junior high or high school.  I'm not sure they need it before that.

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9. 59

   Rob Hanlonposted 14 years ago

   I gave my daughter a cell phone when she was 11 years old, simply to use in the event of an emergency.
   
   Better to be safe than sorry.

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10. 68

    Curtis Aronposted 14 years ago

    I bought my son a cell phone at the age of 12.  First and foremost it was purchased for emergencies.  I also think that it is important for his social development and a form of entertainment for him because cell phones these days do so much.  As long he uses it in a responsible manner, there's no problem.

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11. 79

    PDXBuysposted 14 years ago

    The child would have to be old enough to use it responsibly, not lose it, and pay some or all of the bill (a lesson in basic economics).  That age might be 13 or 23, depending on the child.

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12. 55

    vicky4227posted 14 years ago

    By the time they get to the age of 15. Though civilization has been making a lot of things easier.

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13. 63

    CASE1WORKERposted 14 years ago

    my kids all had mobile phones around the age of 12 when they started to do things independently. At the moment I pick up the bills for all their phones as one is at school and the other two at college and Uni- however they have never gone over the agreed amount on their monthly contract,-

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14. 0

    esatchelposted 14 years ago

    My children were given cell phone on their 13th birthdays. That is the age at which I would allow them, with restrictions (LOTS of restrictions at first, diminishing with age, experience and proven responsibility), to go to a movie or the mall with friends, without me or another parent being in attendance to supervise.
    
    This is also the age where their social lives become more active - sports, music lessons, being let off the school bus before we get home from work. I feel safe knowing they have a phone on their bodies, and with gps, that I can find them if I had to.
    
    We actually have given up our landline and all have cell phones now, mine acting as the "home phone".

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15. 67

    Poethepoetposted 14 years ago

    When they are out on their own and need to get in touch with me.

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16. 61

    Right On Timeposted 14 years ago

    15. Because under that age, they may not understand the concept of money well enough until they start casual work.
    
    Rules: cash/usage limit. Can only send x amount of texts.

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17. 0

    Butch Newsposted 14 years ago

    I think they should be at least 12 or 13.  There are still unanswered questions about the effect of high frequencies on developing brains but, aside from that it's a tough decision based upon cost.
    
    Some families just can't afford it no matter how convenient it may seem.  Family plans can help for some but if a parent can't afford the phone then it's out of the question.
    
    If the child has a job and will pay for it themselves then they should be allowed to do that.
    
    There is a lot of peer pressure to have a phone and kids are strongly affected by feeling left out of the crowd.
    
    Kids these days are very mature by age 12 compared to a generation ago.

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