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

it depends all on the kid. it depends if they are responsoble enough to have a cell phone. If they dont waste money or just use them constantly. It could be a big impact on the parent but also a way to reach the child in case they need to go home to dinner or something like that. your probably saying shut up and get to the exact ages so my guess would be when the maturity starts to settle in around 14 - 16. It would be also easier to give ur child the cellphone if they were just starting high school cause they would be out more and going to parties and high school to most people would be far away. So thats when a cell phone would be recommended given.

You know, this is a great discussion. My boyfriend and I are in total disagreement about how old a child should be to have a cell phone. I see a cell as a privilige and he sees it as a necessity. For example, I did not allow my children to have cell phones until they were sixteen. My reasoning is that before then, they are not responsible enough to take care of it. He gave his son a cell phone when he was 8. His reasoning is that he gave it to him at that age so he could call him anytime he needed something. I think that 8 years old is way too young to have that kind of responsibility. His son actually ended up proving me right. He left his cell phone at the public library. By the time my boyfriend found out it was missing, some teens had ran his bill up to 600 dollars. His son failed to mention the missing phone because he didn't want to get in trouble for losing it.

I do believe that age should not be the basis on whether you will allow your child to have a cellular phone or not. Their maturity level and sense of responsibility should be the basis on whether you will give them a cellular phone or not. Parents can have a liitle assurance knowing that they can contact their child anytime they want because they have issued her/him a cellular phone. But we should also remember, technology is not as family/child friendly. So your should inform and prepare your child for the possible scamming he/she may encounter in using the cellular phones.

Im thirteen and had a phone for 2 years (since eleven) i definetly think they should be able to have one at about ten because what if they need a ride to or from school etc. but idefinetly think kids are spoiled when it comes to cell phones (such as $400 phones) and the textingis outragous. but kids should have a phone just in case but then agian it is your call and your kid.

Have a great day my fellow MyLotters!

I think it depends on the children.My children are using their cellphone when they were 9 and 10 but i make it a point that they can't call or text if it's not a life and death situation.Besides they see their friends everyday so i think there is no need for cellphones.

Hi alok, my children are still in toddlers age. In my opinion kids should be reach the age of 13 before we can trust them with cellphones. But it'll also depend on the child characteristic, is she/he can be trust and can have the responsibility, only their parents will know the answer. Have a nice day my friend .

hi,
there shouldnt be age as a criteria but the time when the parent feels that the kid has attained maturity enought to understand things that is when one shud buy a mobile to the kids. mobile is not the only source for the kids to be being spoiled there are many ways in which they should be restrained from the usage of any kinds of gadgets or being given a lot of freedom or money..gadgets generally attract kids and in turn they loose interest in studies as well
mobile thou has become a necessity but the usage can be restricted and guarded by the parents..like the mobile shud be given to the kids only when the kid leaves the house in other circumstances it shud be used by the parent so in this way the parent can even keep a check and hold on the usage of the cell.
the cell phone model shudnt be very hi-tch but a very basic model whose purpose of use shud be only for communication and nothing beyond that..
but an ideal age cud be when a kid enters a college...

My idea would be after highschool graduation, they are now ready for college and in college there are many activities in school, my children in the future will be needing a way to communicate with their classmates so the best time is in college. Cellphone is a necessity during that age.

Personally i am not in favour of giving children cellphoes,this is because i see and read about incidents of misuse of cellphones by children of tender age everyday.I agree that cellphoes are useful gadgets for informing the parents in case there is an imergency.But my suggestion is that cellphones should be given to the children not before they are 18.And they too should be given handsets without camera or other features.

Alokn99 - To tell you the truth I dont see why children have cellphones younger than 18 its ridiculous. Im a teacher at Church for C.C.D. students its for community service hours. Anyways I've spoken to many children and I ask them "Why do you have a cell phone if you really dont need it? Your parents are always on time and your parents are wasting a lot of money for you just to have their number."These are their responses:

- "I passed one of my T.A.K.S. test."
- "My parents are never on time." Which they are...I say.
- "I got it for a Christmas gift because all I wanted is this."
- "I have a girlfriend/boyfriend so I can talk with them.

"To tell you the truth, children dont need cell phones." Actually its been a lot in the news....well dont believe much of it but its that younger of a certain age cant be using a cell phone because it will affect their ear later in life. I dont see a point for children to use cell phones. I understand sometimes things do happen but we have to face it plus daddy and mommy are not always going to be there...I understand kids are kids and we want our children to be protected 24/7. I respect that but I will only pass it if they walk through a dangerous place or many people are getting raped stuff like that. Okay I guess so but on the same time its not for children to be responsible. They are supposed to be responsible in cleaning their rooms, chores and certain things... When I have my kids there wont be no cell phones to them. I want them to go outside or their friends to come over and hang out things like that not be on the cell phone or playing nintendo all day. The ones that do this its because parents are not responsible at all. Sorry...I have to admit in saying that screw what happened 9 yrs. ago about the twin towers were safe...I got an airplane sure was lucky. All of that its the past...we have to move forward. It depends the way you know your child very well. I didnt need it but I went to a high school that was pretty far from my home and also to contact my bestfriend from Florida because she had just moved out...so I got it during the half of my junior year.