What’s the appropriate age for a child to have a cellphone?

Maturity and circumstances,not to mention finances,tend to be a better yardstick for this decision than age.Only a few years ago,experts said to wait until high school.That is no longer realistic advice;kids at younger and younger ages are getting cell phones,and sometimes for very valid reasons.For instance,if there is a safety issue-if a child needs to travel alone after school to get from one place to another-that is a perfectly valid reason.On the other hand,if a child wants on because its social currency and a status symbol-and it often is,when kids compare the features-then that is not a good reason.

My daughter will be 10 years old next month and I just recently got her a cell phone on the family plan with me and my mom. I can hear each and everyone of you right now saying that she is too young to have a cell phone. The only reason I got her the phone is because she goes and stay with my relatives in different locations which will be long distance to call on a landline phone. This is my opinion, if the parents feel that they want their child to own a cell phone, then it is up to the parent on wether their kid needs a phone. I think 7 is a bit young to have a cell phone and I have been to my daughter school for carnivals and school activities and seen kids with cell phones. All I am saying is that it is up to the parents, no one should go by what others are saying.

a child does not need a mobile phone. Because bhildren do not have a lot of interest as an adult. I felt the children were not worthy of using mobile phones.

For me the appropriate time to give your child a mobile phone is when they reach high school or college. By then they are more responsible and they most know when and how to use the mobile phone.

my 7 year old niece have a cellphone.. my dad recently gave his old phone to her.. she doesnt really use it.. she only use it for games and sometimes, to text her grandfather, my dad... she is living with us by the way so sometimes her mother would call her in her number... but then, i dont really think that is necessary.. she doesnt really bring the phone in school or somewhere else.. the phone is just lying here at home... my dad just gave it to her, since he already got a new one and my niece loves taking pictures of herself with that phone.. hahaha

There is no rule of age for the kids to use the cellphone... he/she should understand the importance and emergency use of the cellphone rather using it for pleasure sake. as per my opinion the best age is after 15 years so to understand the pro's & con's of cellphone... The kids nowadays are learning faster which is good news but it should for the right use of technology.

My girls just brought the cell phone thing to me last week. I thought of getting them cell phone that they can only call 911 on but my 11 year old is the kind of person that would completely un hear whatever I say about them being for emergencies only and then call them up to discuss Barbies latest fashions. I say when they are ready for a cell phone when they have shown themselves to be fully responsible and they are able to understand the whole concept of money.

well i think for protection's sake then i think if they know how to use it then its ok.

A seven year old has no business having a cell phone, whether it be a boy or a girl. When my kids were growing up, cell phones didn't exits, and I am glad they didn't, as they would have wanted one, and I certainly wouldn't have bought them one when they were younger that is for sure. They are both grown, so now they have cells. My son won't let his kids have cell pho0nes that work as they are only 8 and 11. They don't ask for them either, but it wouldn't do any good, as they won't get them until they are much older. My oldest grandson which is my daughter's child, he is 15, snd he is always asking for cell phones. I just don't think he is responsible enough to have one, that is for sure. I don't think they should have them to young, as they just aren't responsible enough to have them, as they would just start charging up things on it that aren't necessary. I am just glad that they weren't in existence when my kids were growing up. Take care, and happy mylotting.

Hi, It is really difficult to tell. I've seen many grown ups abusing the cell phones. It actually depends on the maturity level of the child. Many kids are not matured enough to handle cell phones even after they turn 18. My cell phone is a headache to me. People keep calling and calling for petty reasons. They don't seem to understand the simple fact that I may not always be in situation to receive their calls. Now, this irritates me a lot. I have started to have my cell switched off during the day. But then they mind. There is a popular belief that girls gain enough maturity at the age of 18, so they can be provided with cell phones and other gadgets. My experience say something different. I have seen a girl as old as 32 using cell phone as a potential device to disturb others just because she has nothing to do, and wants some recreation. thanks God bless you

Oh I think he can keep using your phone for a while-at least until he understands the responsibility of paying the cell phone bill. maybe when he starts driving

present days mobile has become necessacity ,hence they may be provided at any age ,precaution for handling should be told

When you decide to get your child a phone is a personal decision based on your family's situation. Some kids walk to school so may need it for safety, others are involved with sports and school activities and having a phone could be convenient for last minute changes to plans, others go to one parents house one weekend and the next the other so its easier to stay in touch with the opposite parent. Whenever you decide to get them one check out kajeet at http://www.kajeet.com/michele We pay $14.99 a month for 60 anytime minutes and unlimited texting. Plus they offer free parental controls so you can set the phone to be off during specific times (like school hours). Save 15% off any phone at checkout too!

I personally didnt get a cell phone until i was 15, and i think that might have been a bit too early, i think an appropriate age for children to be receiving a cell phone is 16, not 9 or 10, which is the age a couple people i know received their first phone.

7-year-old child, I do not think it necessary to have a phone, if he wants to use the phone, can use their parents', so that parents can monitor. Too early to give phones to children, it is not a good result.