At what age should children be allowed to have and use cellphones?

Some kids may be able to use the cell phone responsibly at the age of 12 and some do not use it responsibly even at the age of 20. These days with both the parents working it is good to give a 12 year old child a cell phone but the child should be taught to use it only as an emergency tool and not to chat with friends the whole day. Actually the parents these days are better able to keep a track on the child if there is a landline and the parents can contact them on the landline because with the cell phone very often the children do not tell the parents the truth of their whereabouts!!!!!

I think there's a company that makes cells phones for kids. It only allows the kids to call four telephone numbers that are programed in the phone by an adult and the phone allows all incoming calls. I think those are a excellent tool for kids once they start going to school. It allows the parents to have a way to locate their children and the kids have a way to contact their parents or a trused adult in a emergancy. As far as a "normal" cell phone, I don't think kids should have those until they can pay for the bill or the prepaid cost of the phone itself. Its a good way to teach respocibility and repect.

I think is a right time when they are in colleges or universities.
I've seen many students in middle school or even primary school use cellphones,they use it to play games,chatting,listen music and take photos,and many of this ringed at the class,yes,I can't negate there's some children just use it as a relation tool with their parents,but most of them can't use it the right way,it do much distraction of their study.and some school,teachers had to collect their cellphones and give back when the weekend or the school off to make sure they are not play with the cellphones at the study times.and the parents also worried about the kids,you see,how bad the thing is!
but when they come into the unversity,they are old enough to control their behaviors,they can have a cellphone,and it's needed.

I think the right age for them is fourteen.Especially the girls.It is the age when they are in their eighth grade and like to have their own gang and like to attend the Bday parties or gettogethers in their friend's homes by themselves.I prefer them to have the cell phone at this stage with proper patrolling over the usage as it is very useful in locating your child in case of an emergency.And at this age they become intelligent and responsible enough as in my experience.

I've also seen kids here with mobile phones at the age 12-14 and mostly boys and they seems to be capable of using it, not that I know how they really use it, but once I'm in the cinema with my Husband and we're sitting next to the six childrens and when their phone rang they would pick it up and go out. I am surprised to see them in the cinema without their parents actually, but maybe that's the reason why their phones kept ringing in every few minutes. I think these ages would be fine to have their own phone with their parents guidelines.

children should use cell phones only after their schooling.In school teacher should conduct an awareness class about the merits and demerits of using mobile phones.They want to know the bad effects that had happened due to the using of mobile phones.Mobile phones should strictly avoided from school premises.Not only teachers but the parents also want to take a care towards their students.

may be at the age of 12so that it would be a bad influence to a children

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all the best urban

If it is very necessary then we should give cellphones to the children otherwise not because they will more concentrate on chat with friends on cellphone not on study.
we should give cellphone after the age of 18 years, but if really necessary then then it is after 16 age.

Firstly, I think, it depends a lot on the parenting. Children a have different behavioral patterns, different psyche and different level of comprehension. The maturity of a kid vary from one another. Some are mature and responsible even at a young age while others are not even when they grow up! Today's world is certainly more complex and difficult that previous generations. So, I think a cell phone is a good idea. The age would depend on the maturity of the child. That's for the parents or counselors to decide for in many cases the parents get biased and fail to understand the pros and cons. Thirteen to fifteen would be a good age if things are normal.

And also, I feel, the children should be provided with a phone with minimum enhancements and applications. a phone should just serve the purpose of a phone - that's it! They can always play on when at home under adults' supervision on computer. I might sound harsh but the kids must be given proper cell phone etiquette before providing them with one. But in a world where we adults are not aware and responsible how will we make the children aware!

I am not in favour of cell phones to children until they are responsible enough which may vary from one another. And if I can, I would refrain fro carrying one myself. We tend to use it so irrationally! Just a while ago, a patient was ringing the doctor from outside this chamber. What a waste!