Is 10 years old too young to have a cell phone?

She is too young. It will distract her from school work. She doesn't NEED one, most young kids don't even use them to call their parents.

I think children nowadays should have their own cellphones. But you should remind or teach them how to use it properly so as not to distract them from their school, activities etc. Parents can have some peace of mind if they know that they can reach and trace their children anytime. Give them cellphone but not the expensive models.

I think cellphones are something very important and useful for communication even between parents and children. I agree with you that 10 years old is too young so if ever your friend decides to give her daughter a cellphone she should supervise it that it would not be used for something wrong. Also, she should just give her a cellphone that only has the basic functions mainly calling. Otherwise the kid might be too addicted with it or spend to much without control.

It will depend on several factors: 1) Can the parents afford to give the child a cell phone (and buy him/her load?) - In our house, two of my kids "inherited" old phones from me and my hubby. Buying them brand new ones were out of the question. 2) Is the child responsible enough? - Does s/he take care of her belongings well or is someone who often loses or misplaces things? Parents should think twice if the kid falls in the second category. 3) What's the purpose for having the cell phone? - We gave our sons cell phones which they only use when they have extra-curricular activities in school, on field trips, or staying over at their grandma's. We discourage them using the phones to text their friends about nonsensical things unless they can save up and buy their own credits. Using the land line phone for making free calls is still the best way to communicate with friends. My youngest son is turning 10 in a couple of months and he's already asking when he'll get his own phone. I usually reply that he has to wait until one of us upgrades to a new model. Since he doesn't really need a cell phone yet, we tell him to borrow his brothers' phones when he really needs to contact a classmate about an important matter.

i don't think so. it's better for kids know about technology now. celphone is one.and for thier security too. its really good for kids to have celphone.

it really depends on the child's interest on cellphones i think. i got a nephew who owns a cellphone at 10 and i see that he's not that interested anymore on using it. maybe it's too technical for him and he's just too busy to play with some other things.

I think it totally depends on the child. Some children at that age can be very responsible, but some can be the total opposite. A cell phone can come in handy, especially for emergencies, but can also become very expensive and troublesome in the wrong hands. My advice to your friend is to find a "second hand" prepaid phone for the initial purchase. This way little money as possible is being spent, just in case her daughter does not do well with it. If she takes care of that one for awhile and proves she is trust worthy with it, then upgrade. Show her responsibility pays off.

i would say that it is not, if she know how to use it then she is a smart kid and will be good to have a cell phone in order to be more smarter in future ... the only bad side is if she can not limit her in spending money on it, if she often call her friend and send them messages without a reason, then you should try to limit her account limit or just do not give her a cell phone untill she start to earn money that she spend

cellphone nowadays is very important but i think for a ten year child i think it's not good. Despite of all the goodness that cellphone give to human kind it also have disadvantages, and maybe a ten year girl is not yet ready to face those disadvantages.

We adults have gotten used to thinking of cell phones as 'toys' and status symbols. There are some excellent cell phones designed just for kids - and cell phone plans that allow parents to place strict limits on cell phone use. If the ten year old is not either at home or at school 24/7, then a cell phone that is locked to specific pre-programmed numbers can be an excellent way for the daughter to call home for rides or permission to do other things - and for mom to check in with daughter if there's an emergency or she needs her home immediately.

If a child is involved in after school programs, practices, etc...that would require them to call someone to pick them up afterwards or if they spend time away from home -- whether it be at the other parents' house (if it's a divorce situation), at a grandparents' or friends', I think it is a great device to have. For me, because I am divorced from my childrens' dad, I needed to have a way to contact THEM directly, in case there were communication problems between us adults. Also, my son is in band, daughter is in competition cheerleading, so both needed a way to call and say "I'm ready to be picked up" or "Our practice is running a little over, so I'll be ready in 30 minutes." I've even used it (once arriving to pick them up) to call and find out which side of the school building they were at or which door they would be coming out of. It can be a time saver as well as a good communication tool in the case of an emergency. Having said that, it is important that a child knows expectations, limits and rules of their cell phone use. It is also imparative they know the consequences should any rules be violated. If they know all of this upfront, there will be no surprised looks when the phone gets taken away. So far, my kids have done quite well. My son went over his text message limit last month, but will use his allowance money to pay the difference. He knows this is one of our rules. Cell phone use by younger kids should be determined by the individual maturity of the child. A parent knows when or if their kid would be responsible enough to take on the task of having a cell phone by the way they take care of other belongings (glasses, retainers, school supplies, things at home). It's just up to them as to whether or not to take the "plunge"!