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

i think that children should be allowed to have and use cellphones at the age 12-13. because i think that they already know how to handle responsibilities such as having a cellphone and not losing it, and having it for urgent purposes only. but it's up to them to use it for chatting with friends as long it's on the right time. just an opinion!

In India, cellphones without a camera can be used by any child who is responsible enough to use it. But students in schools are not supposed to use camera phones. Children should be taught from the beginning that it's used to intimate emergency messages and they shouldn't be allowed to use it in any other way. Many college students misuse the phones. And they end up in real trouble afterwards.

I think children above 15 years can use it well, provided they are properly motivated.
Happy mylotting.

I have had my first mobile phone when i was in 6th grade(12 years old).. I didn't expect that my family would give me a phone at a very young age.. i was able to understand why when they have briefly explained to me the right use of it.. there was no SMS feature that time and it's main purpose was to make phone calls.. i didn't use my phone to chit chat with friends.. i have only utilized it to call my family.. that's it! you know, it's the parents responsibility to make sure that the mobile phone is only used in emergency cases and for them to know the whereabouts of their kids..

I think children shouldn't have a cellphone until the attend high school or even until university.I'm in a boarding school and I don't have cellphones until I graduate.For students, cellphones aren't always tools for emergencies.They use them to txet more often.That the mainly reason for why I'm against sellphones at schools.

I don't really think there's a standard age that we could use as a rule for things like this because children are all so different. I think that a child should be provided with a mobile phone only when they've demonstrated the maturity to be able to use one as intended and clear ground rules need to be set as well. As they mature further with their usage of the phone, then maybe these rules can be relaxed over time. I've personally seen children much younger than 12 years old with mobile phones and to be honest, I never even thought twice about it! I'm just so used to seeing people have them I guess.

I think it mainly depends on the maturiry level of the child. My son is 8 and he wanted a phone last year. I ended up picking one up for him and his brother who is 7 to keep with them when I was pregnant with the baby and I had them take it with them just in case I wasnt able to pick them up, went into labor or was at the doctors and wasnt able to leave and in that case I would leave them a message (text or voice) and explain why I wasnt there and who would be there along with calling the school. Luckily I never missed picking them up. They still have the phones and they take them with them to school but they keep them off until after school. They use them to call their dad or grandparents and sometimes to play games in the car or whatever. They know they can not use them while in school and they dont talk on them just to talk for the most part.
I have taught them how to use them in an emergency situation as well as daily use and so long as they follow the rules they can keep them.
I have a neighbor who has a 13 year old daughter that wants a phone of her own because she is CONSTANTLY on her mothers phone but her mom refuses to buy it for her because she doesnt know when to stop.
So again in closing I think it depends on the individual child.....

Cell phones have become an integral part of the modern life. But I think we should start using it only when it is necessary for us to use it. Because we must not forget about the bad side effects that it have if used extensively. I think children who have not passed their 10th standard does not require a cell phone of his own if he/she is not staying away from home. There is actually no definite age limit for using cell phone. What I think is that children should be given a cell phones only when there is no other alternative.

I think generation by generation the new breed of humans is getting more smarter, meaner and much more practical.. in life...

So it is better to provide children cell phones once they graduate out of high school thats my opinion I guess... coz I have seen a dozen fights of children that age with their parents about not providing them with cell phones...

Although it is not good for them... unmonitored and prolonged usage may harm their health ..but let them be in control of their lives... just be a good parent and issue them timely warning about ill effects of excessive usage of cellphones!

Each generation has been advancing... in 1900's children used to respect their parents much more... they obeyed orders.. they stayed confined in home so that they could be with parents..IN todays world all the priorities are different... No one I know likes to be at home.. they say the world is too big enough to see in one birth... so why waste time at home...

Well rightly even I feel so... Parents are there but u need to see and experience the world for yourself...

Providing cellphones to high school grads will give them the freedom they desire... I think it is a step towards their liberation.. it makes them feel that way... I have talked to many of my friends younger brothers... so I feel so!

I think it depends on the child and also where the family lives....My kids are responsible enough (they are almost 14 and 15.5 yrs old) BUT we live in the country so there really isnt any need for them to have cell phones ya know..Not that they dont try to come up with every possible excuse in the book to get me to change my mind though LOL

Hi,alokn99
I agree with you that there are many negative impacts using cellphones.I think it is not age,but the recognition in cellphones that is the key.If kids don't use cellphones correctly,then it is not good to let them use cellphones no matter how old are they.If some kids can use cellphones correctly,then they should be allowed to use cellphones if they want because cellphones are helpful tools.So,the age depends.
Have a nice day!