"I need a cell phone mom"-child / "wait 'til you're older"-mom

I got my son a cell phone for Christmas and he is 15. I paid for the months of Jan and Feb and told him if he wants to continue to have it he had to pay the bill startind in March. I love him having it because I can always get in touch with him. He can call me when he is running late or needs a ride home. I also got him the unlimited texting so he can't run up his bill.

My children keep bothering us too about getting a phone. I just don't see the need for them to have one. My kids are 7,9 and 11. None of them have a social life yet and as far as sports go,either myself or my husband are there. I am thinking maybe in Jr. high which is next year for us. As far as restrictions goes, are you talking about once they get a phone or at what age a phone should be an option? I think it's a parents personal choice and how responsible your child is. Do they hang out with friends or go places without you? Then maybe you might consider it.

I started this discussion about 3 weeks ago and am still wondering what the answer is...why is it that we do not allow children to be children anymore?

Some companies make phones specifically for children -- they can only dial certain numbers, they have large number pads or specific buttons for numbers -- for instance, I saw one that had an image of a house for "home" and a red cross for "emergency". I guess It's all a matter of your child's activities. If your kid is being droppped off/ picked up for lessons and sports, etc. then it makes sense that you'd want that kid to have a phone so you can communicate with him/her in the event that plans change. I wouldn't give a kid under 15 or 16 a REAL cell phone, though. I wouldn't really trust a kid with all of that unlimited potential to call anyone or pick up a call from anyone until they were really mature.

they have that one phone where theres 3 buttons, ones like 911, ones the home phone, and the others like one friend or something. i think REAL phones shouldnt be given to kids until high school, when they get out with friends more and actually NEED to call home to tell people where they are