When did you get your first cell phone?

@dafnie (382)
United States
July 12, 2007 12:43pm CST
I am 17 years old and I still don't have a cell phone. And yet, there are a whole bunch of little 8 year olds chatting away on their cell phones! I guess it's not so bad since parents can contact their kids any where and anytime. Most of you guyz are probably alduts here, but when did you get your first cell phone? What was it? And what do you think about little children having a cell phone these dayz?
6 people like this
37 responses
• United States
12 Jul 07
I was about 21 when I got my first cell phone. It was a prepaid one. Now my whole family has a phone with the family plan on verizon. It is a good thing to have incase you ever get stuck anywhere. My oldest daughter is seven and we are going to add a phone for her when she starts going places without us so if she ever needs anythign she can get a hold of us. They are very helpful if you are ever in a jam.
2 people like this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
12 Jul 07
hmm.. maybe i should convince my parents to get a plan! they each have separate plans and because they cannot afford to add another $50/month bill into their budget yet, i can't get a phone yet (unless i decide to pay for it)
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Jul 07
With Verizon you pay so much for the first line and then add on 9.99 for each line.
2 people like this
@hotday (152)
• China
13 Jul 07
I got my first cell phone in 1998 ,when I was 25 years old.It took me $200.Although it is heavy and big,I still like to put it in my pocket all time. Now I have changed three cell phones.cell phone is a necessary part of my life.
2 people like this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
14 Jul 07
lol, the cell phone took over ur life eh?! yeah it is pretty important, yet some people still function without it! like me! i guess it's hard to stop using it once you get one because it makes your life easier!
• United States
12 Jul 07
I got my first cell phone when I was 14 years old. I played high school football and would normally be in practice until 6, and then I would take the buss home and not get home until about 7:30-8 PM, so my parents liked that I had the cell phone so that I could call them in case of a change in plans or if I needed anything or in case I needed to call someone because of an emergency. I think that children can have cell phones, but for parental contact until they are, say, in high school. And even then, it should only be used in moderation. They have cell phones where there are no numbers to dial, it's only got three buttons: two programmable numbers for "parents" or any other emergency number, and another for 911. Those I thought were really good innovations.
2 people like this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
15 Jul 07
yeah emergencies are great reasons for phones! that's mostly why my parents have begun to consider me having a phone!
@suspenseful (40193)
• Canada
12 Jul 07
I got mine about a month ago and I am in my sixties. I really do not like it when little kids have their own cellphones. Don't the schools have telephones that the parents can phone to in emergency and wouldn't the schools allow the kids to call their parents or rather have a teacher do it for them? I think once the kids get into school, the principal should take all the cellphones away and keep them in his office. The only ones that should be allowed to use the cellphone at school would be those over fourteen or better still, sixteen and older. At least, they would have the excuse of needed it for a part time job.
@dafnie (382)
• United States
12 Jul 07
yeah i've been using the school phone forever and it's worked well. the only reason why i'd prefer to have my own phone now is because i just got a car and i'm waiting for a job!
1 person likes this
@dianagnes (1088)
• Singapore
12 Jul 07
Time and technology changes.I felt about little children having their own cellphone do match with this era and time.As they grow older,they will find out more interesting and powerful gadget that their youngers children will have like what we are experiencing..Young childrens now have their own phone;and during our time..its hard to find one in a child.Its fine too for me as their parents can contact them.Children now are expose with the modern world and more up to come. I get my first cellphone about 4 years ago..when i was 14 yrs.Thats is still consider quite young since cellphone are very popular that time with the new functions that is camera phone.
2 people like this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
12 Jul 07
yeah i think ur completely right about how the times have completely changed! way back when, people were able to trust their neighbors and school administrators to watch their children and contact them in case of trouble, but these dayz, no one can be trusted! and kids are exposed to soooooooo much on television, and kids 'chill' around more and at later times (movies, clubbing yada yada)
1 person likes this
@rabbitgt (40)
• Latvia
12 Jul 07
I got the mobile phone when I finished the high school, when I was 18. At that time it was a very good phone - Nokia 6210. I still have this phone on my desk somehwere (I use it for the other mobile service provider). Now I'm 24 and I have not so new Sony Ericsson T630 - I got it few years ago. Currently I am satisfied with it, but I would like to get this brand new Apple iPhone. Probably I will wait for one year and then look how good it is and then decide to buy or not to buy.
2 people like this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
12 Jul 07
yeah the iphone seems cool... EXPENSIVE, but cool! i'll wait and see if it's really worth my $$!!
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I am 26 years old and I have never had a cell phone. If I don't, a teenager doesn't need one either. Give them 50 cents to use a pay phone. Life does continue without cell phones. Although, I know in some cases, a cell phone is a must.
1 person likes this
@AmbiePam (84628)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I just noticed that in the discussion it says you are 17! I didn't see that. Knowing that, it sounds like I'm harping on you, but I'm not. I'm thinking primarily of some of the teens I have seen around here. When I was a teen though, I wanted one. But financially, it wasn't and isn't possible. Hope YOU get one though. : )
1 person likes this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
14 Jul 07
lol i see what u mean! a lot my friendz just chit-chat all day about meaningless topics (gossip) on their phones and they sneek their little boyfriends around on it, and text all day long! the more they talk, the higher their phone bills go, and their parents get totally upset! for example, my friend gave her mother a $1000 bill (T-Mobile has really high rates when u go over on minutes and text!). But that's not my motive! i just got a car and i'll be driving to school (30 minutes away) and church (an hour away) so i just wanna have a phone w/ me just in case and of course, to talk with friends!
• Malaysia
21 Jul 07
sony ericsson rose pink z610i - my mobile phone, se z610i
i got my cell phone when i was 18 hehe..at that time i was in college. my first phone was the nokia 8210, which my mom bought for me after much pestering. i'mn o longer using that phone though..it amazes me how little children and teenagers have such cool cell phones these days! where do they get the money? lol.
@dafnie (382)
• United States
22 Jul 07
lol great question! who knowz where they get the money... maybe they have a money tree in their backyard!
@dafnie (382)
• United States
22 Jul 07
cute cellphone pic!
• United States
12 Jul 07
I received my first cellphone when I was 14 years old. I was starting high school around then, and since I had to commute to school by myself (subway & bus), I convinced my parents to get me a phone as a saftety precaution. Besides that, I also had a tendency to hang out late after school and using a payphone was a bother, so a cellphone most certainly came in handy then.
2 people like this
• Malaysia
13 Jul 07
I got my first cell phone at your age, 17. I bought it with my part time job salary. it ia made by motorola but i have forgot the model. Anyway this cell phone lost about one year time and i had to buy a new one again. i think it's nothing wrong for today if a kid posesses a cell phone. Nowadys, the world flooded with technologies, a camera cell phone now even cheaer than the frist phone i bought.. So it should be a norm and you should get yours sooner or later of course the later the better cause you will have a higher specs phone..
@dafnie (382)
• United States
20 Jul 07
yeah let's just hope i do get one soon!
@raychill (6525)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I was about 19 I think when I got my first cell phone. My parents wanted me to have it since I'd be out to all hours of the night, sometimes morning. They just wanted me to have it in case something happened or whatever. I think it's so crazy how many young people have cell phones. I mean, when I was in high school it was still the "beeper phenomenon" no one had cell phones! I think cell phones are perfectly ok for kids after they turn 16. By 16 is when you're going out more often than ages before that and you're probably driving, a great reason to have a cell phone. Before that I just don't see why you would need a cell. Do you want a cell phone or are you ok not having one?
1 person likes this
@raychill (6525)
• United States
12 Jul 07
I think it's a pretty good idea to get one when you're driving and working. What if you get a flat tire on your way to work? You can call and tell them you're going to be late. Or what if something happens on your way home? You can call your parents. Whenever I'm driving and I end up needing my phone for something I'm like "man how did people live without cell phones!" ha ha. But I mean, I definitely don't think youngin's need them!
1 person likes this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
12 Jul 07
i'm pretty much okay not having one, but i just started driving to school and i will soon be getting a job! so i'd really like to get one! but besides that there really is no need for a cell phone unless a youngster is barely ever home!
• India
13 Jul 07
i got it as a 16 year old..a nokia 1100..ordinary 'un but strong nevertheless and soon i developed a passion,a madness for cellphones..I write reports for newspapers..nuthin intrests me more dan mobiles..am in luv..soon i got a k700i n now am about to get a w710i.!!
1 person likes this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
15 Jul 07
that is so cool how u've got a passion (madness) for cellphones!
• Saint Lucia
12 Jul 07
well i am 18 got my first cellphone at 14 and it was those big nokia's. i beleive that some little kids should have a cellphone for in case their parents wanna get in touch with them at the park or at school breaks,etc.
2 people like this
13 Jul 07
i got my first mobile phone when i was 11. ony b'cause i went to a proper british boarding school. i have now left there. and whereever i go i never leave my fone newhere. it is the most useful thing i have
2 people like this
• India
21 Jul 07
When I was at 25 I brought a new cell phone.Before this I usually manage by my land phones.Thanks.
1 person likes this
@Flight84 (3048)
• United States
13 Jul 07
LOL...I was such a loser. I had a pager in high school but no cell phone to call if anyone paged me. I think I got my first cell phone when I was 17 or 18. I'm pretty sure I was 18 though. I was behind too.:P Now, kids a lot younger than me have cell phones!
1 person likes this
• United States
12 Jul 07
Ok - so aside from the 60yr old... I think I'm one of the older people not yet with a cell phone. What I mean is - I am 21 (almost 22) and without a cell phone. I have a land line and that is good enough for the most part. However, I wouldn't be surprised if I do give in and get a phone in the next year or so. I just do not like the idea of someone always being able to find me lol I believe I would screen a LOT of calls ;)
1 person likes this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
13 Jul 07
u don't like the idea of people always being able find u? lol. thanx for commenting!
• India
22 Jul 07
i am 19 years old . and i am a person from a middle class family . thats why i got my cell pfome just before 1 year and in perticular that cell phone is of low price.
• Singapore
13 Jul 07
I got my first cell phone when I was 17. It was a Nokia 1100. Its the most reliable phone in terms of voice quality and accidental falls. Now I am 18 years Old and have a K750i. which is excellent in terms of taking pictures and listening to radio and songs. But the voice quality lacks a bit and it has a big problem of detecting signals in weak network areas.
1 person likes this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
14 Jul 07
yeah it's probably not the phone, it's the phone service is ur area! thanx, when i go phone shopping i'll try to find one with a strong signal or somethin... good luck wth ur phone! thanx 4 writing!
• Sri Lanka
13 Jul 07
Well Nice Quiz Hid. i had mu first phone when i was 16. but its not that much useful on those days. now i am 27 and now i cant live with out a cell phone. In my point of view its not bad, Even childrens get emergency. if any thing hapend while coming home from school how do the childrens inform home. its easy and the same time if parents wanna talk how do they talk if the child dont have a cell phone. My Advise : Buy a cell phone. take care bye
1 person likes this
@dafnie (382)
• United States
14 Jul 07
i'd love to buy one! but i gotta get a job first! but yeah it's really not a bad thing at all..... one might feel that they can't live without it after a while, but it's for a good reason! imagine if during 9-11, if people didn't have cell phones!