What do you think is an appropriate age to buy a cellphone for a kid?

Question

My daughter Paige is wanting one sooo bad. She's 11, almost 12. She goes 2 the mall so she WOULD use it, but do you think that is a good age? or if not, what age? she mature too. I don't know!?!?!!?!

Answer 1

I would say when they can pay the bill. Get her a firefly or something with 4 numbers programmed in.



Ash

Answer 2

I don't think any kid needs a cell phone. But if parent and child mutually agree on it, I think a good age would be when the "child" will be primarily transporting themselves to activities and events (ie: when they start driving on their own).



It really depends on when the parent wants to supply the phone and who is footing the bill.



Also, I don't buy into the "just because everyone else has one" as a good enough reason. I don't care if every kid in my town has one at age 9, that's not a good enough reason for my child to have one. Each family is different and kids have enough peer pressure without parents buying into the hype too.

Answer 3

I am 12 and I have a phone. I got it when I was 11 but I gave it back to my mom at 11 and a half cuz I didn't use it. It depends if your daughter goes places like the mall, movies and stuff like that. When I started going places I asked my mom for it back. Tell her she can only use it for calling her parents that was my rule. And I think its very fair.

Answer 4

Unless it's one of those firefly ones where you can only call certain numbers and receive calls from certain numbers, I would say not until they're able to pay for it themselves. I don't care how well you think that you can trust your child, when they are out of your sight, you have no idea what they might be doing. A cell phone is a good tool to use when they're in trouble, but a lot of pre-teens don't have the self control or the understanding of money to realize that the talking they do on a cell phone costs money, and that they need to conserve their minutes.

Answer 5

It really depends on how mature your child is and what kind of phone you are thinking about purchasing. My son is 11 and he wanted a cell phone. He's a pretty responsible kid, but I am not footing a cell phone bill for an 11 year old. Instead we opted for a tracfone. He can't go over his minutes and he pays for it himself with money he makes for doing chores around the house.

Answer 6

i think their is no age limit, i think it has to do with a childs maturity level. i wouldn't buy a phone for a 15 year old if all they did was talk on the phone, b/c i know they would run up the bill. I wouldn't buy a phone for a child who always loses things, like the house keys ect., b/c i know they may lose the phone or not take care of it. if the child was 9 years old and didn't do those things i would get my child a phone. not only if they wanted, but more importantly because i can reach my child if i needed to, and my child could reach me.

Answer 7

depends on the need. My six year old had one for a little while. Never did use it. The school teacher and bus driver sent her home with a sitter.. but my duaghter was crying as she didn't remember the sitter! They sent my daughter with someone she didn't know! The teacher had a cell.. but didn't call me because 'she knew the girl'. I got my kid a phone and set it up so she knew how to call only me. Anywya, I didnt' do that shift again... and I ended up swiching her schools (other reasons too)... her minutes ran out unsed. So if there is a need, I would get one early. I see some kids on the playground have them, but I let my duaghter use walkie talkies instead... 12 is young.. but hey, if you give it to her.. then you have something to take away if she starts disresepecting you... but 12 does seem young if it is just for friends.. especially if you are paying for it

Answer 8

our days, kids have cell phones by age 9, so your daughter's demands are not that out of line. However, you will realize that phone bills can be expensive and unless you teach her how to manage her phone calls, time management... and that she be aware of the cost of her phone bill and she doesnt go overboard with text messaging and talk on the phone till the early hours of the morning, then it should be ok. She is probably in middle school by now, and it is a good way to keep in touch in case of emergencies and stuff like that.

Answer 9

Well, I didn't get a cellphone until I was eighteen (because my dad refused to pay the bill. I had to do it myself). If your daughter stays gone and you think it's best she has a cellphone, I say get her one. However, if it's just to talk, she's too young. She can use the house phone. My aunt's friend got her son a cellphone, because he plays a lot of sports and he's gone so he has a cellphone so he can call if he has a problem. And he's 13. So, it's up to you.

Answer 10

I think 13-14 is most appropriate. I like what my parents are doing for me. They lay a set amount of money each month that they will pay, anything over that, I have to pay for. I think that if she is able to support a little bit of the bill each month (if it goes over) then she could have one. I use my phone all the time. Another thing you could have her do is sit down and make a list of reasons she thinks she needs the phone and if you decide she could get one, look at plans and discuss with whateer company what she would be using it for, texting, nights/weekends, downloading, etc. Then, I would definitely lay down rules for it. I know I would have gone crazy with my phone if I wasn't inside the rule box. Things like how late she can be on it, who she can talk to, who she can give her number to, etc. etc...it drove me insane, but I realize why I needed them. My parents have relaxed on many of the rules since I have gotten older and shown that I can be responsible with one. Do what you think is best for her and it will work itslef out. Hope I helped.

Answer 11

I think 12 is a good age. You can put so many controls on those things now I think she would be fine. My friend got her 5 year old son a cell and I think that is just stupid and a waste of money!!! What 5 year old even talks on the phone??

Answer 12

It depends on the kid....my daughter is 12 and she got her first cell phone when she was 11. We started with a prepaid phone and she had earn the privileges to buy more minutes. She has now worked her way up to being on our regular family plan.



It is nice to know if she is out and needs to call, she can. Also, I can always call her and find out where she is.

Answer 13

My sister got all three of her kids phones and they were 9, 10 & 12 and they don't even go to the mall. They just wanted them. They're not even rich. It's up to you. I say if she's going to be out alone she needs to have communication with you in case, God forbid, something happens. Especially since she's a girl.

Answer 14

At that age I think that phones like trac fones are a good idea because thay can't go over minutes, and maybe she can do some things to earn the time. It is what my 13 year old has and she babysits to buy more time.

Answer 15

Well if your daughter shows the signs of muturity i think go for it and if you allow her to go out alot and you think that it would be good for her to have one then ya. In my opinion though i think 12 is good thats when i got my first phone and a butterfly phone is an excellent idea for a starter phone she can have like your number and some friends cuz' she should know her home phone!!!!!!!

Answer 16

She's old enough. I'm 15 years old and I got one when I was in 6th grade. Today everyone in 5th Grade and 6th Grade has one. I think you should get one for her.

Also, it's a safety issue as well, if God Forbid she's in an emergency, she should have a phone to call 911.

Have a great day.

Answer 17

As soon as they are old enough to legally sign a contract without you...



However, given the direction things are going...at her age, buy her one that will allow her to dial 9-1-1, home, and a (short) list of pre-programmed numbers that you can program for her. You can also set-up the phone so that it is pre-paid, and SHE pays it.

Answer 18

Buy her a prepaid cell. I got my 10 year old one for $20. He uses it when he's out in the neighborhood to check in. (In a neighbors back yard or at their house). We put $10 worth of minutes on it each month and if he uses them all and wants more he has to use his allowance. I like it because it gives him a little responsibility without damaging my bank account.

Answer 19

10 years old would be a good starting age. you should check out the fire fly mobile phone for kids. it can be used as a prepaid phone or a monthly plan which costs only $9.99 per month. that is a good deal. for more information go to this website.



http://www.fireflymobile.com/

Answer 20

Buy her one of the cell phones that you preprogram. It only lets them call the numbers you want her to and emergency numbers.



And she can buy a real one on her own when shes old enough to work.

Answer 21

Sure its ok.... IF she is mature enough. Just be sure to keep a close eye on what messages she is receiving and sending. Its good to know that you can reach her if you need to incase of any emergencies.

Answer 22

i think that the right time to buy your kid a cell phone is 13 or older unless they are always running around or not around you much or when they get a job

Answer 23

i think 13 teen.. when she can go the mall and you can get the new phone where you can track where she is at all times and see her use of the phone.. get her pre-paid so when you need min she come to ask you...

This is up to the parents to get they kids cell phone.. i would never get my kid cell phone until she maybe 13 ..

Answer 24

When our son went to high school he was bought a cell phone because he was travelling on the bus.

Answer 25

If they're in middle or high school and involved in extracurricular activities I say it would be OK. I would still do a prepaid plan so you dont have astronomical bills.

Answer 26

In our country most kids have cellphone at the age of 6...It's a prepaid though....not postpaid...

Answer 27

I think at lest 12 1/2 2 see if she really NEEDS one cuz sometimes they want one cuz there friends want one just wait!! :-}

Answer 28

Never. What does a child need a phone for?

Answer 29

MY ELDEST IS 15 BUT IM GOING TO GET HER ONE FOR 16 THAT WAY SHE CAN PAY AFTER SHE GETS A JOB

Answer 30

Not until they are old enough to work for it and get their own!

Answer 31

10 years old is youngest age...

Answer 32

if she"s mature enough its fine. my friends grandaughter has one and she"s eight years old.