So when did your kid get a cellphone?
By teamrose
@teamrose (1492)
United States
March 17, 2010 3:28pm CST
Friend of mine's daughter has one at 9. I was just shocked. SHOCKED I tell you. He claims it's so he can reach her w/o having to deal with BabyMama, but still..........
It was rule of thumb when I had to worry about these things that they'd get one around 16 and really only so they wouldn't have to use a payphone if they broke down in the car. Granted they used it for everything else (this was before 9/11/01 and texting) and weren't allowed to have them in school.
2 people like this
5 responses
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
17 Mar 10
My youngest son got one when he graduated from high school, his dad gave it to him. My oldest son got one in his junior year because he got a job and bought his own and paid the bill each month. I don't think young kids have any business with cell phones. They should be around proper supervision, should not need phones.
2 people like this
@Janey21 (12)
• United States
17 Mar 10
I agree. There are so many problems that arise because of cell phone use among teenagers, "sexting," being one of them. I can't imagine what a 9 year old would need a cell phone for. If there is an emergency in school, for instance, I am sure they can go to the main office and use a phone. I think the main problem is that kids want to feel part of the group. If a friend or peer has a cell phone, then they feel they need/deserve one too.
1 person likes this
@kaylachan (57780)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
17 Mar 10
Today students are still not allowed to use cell phones in school. cary them yes, but not use them. But, that's beside the point. I was 18 when I got my first cell phone, and my sister Nikky was about 11, 12 I think. There is a just about six and a half year age gap between the two of us. SO yeah she wasn't even offically a teenager when she got her first phone. And, she used it to talk to her friends. I still think that was a bit young anyway. but still. I almost wanted to twitch.
2 people like this
@goldeneagle (6745)
• United States
26 Mar 10
I think schools should completely forbid them to be brought into the school, and they should automatically suspend anyone caught with a cell phone on campus for one week. Students have no need of a cell phone at school, so phones should not be allowed. I also wish that my employer would take steps to ban people from bringing them to work as well...
@sk66rc (4250)
• United States
17 Mar 10
I don't see any reason for child under the age of 16 should have a cell phone. When they start driving, may be a pre-paid phone. Like one person above said, no child should alone or go unsupervised. Any kid under 18 is too young, I think, but that's just my opinion.
1 person likes this
@rosekiss (30380)
• Eugene, Oregon
17 Mar 10
When my kids were younger, there was no such thing as cell phones, so that I never had to worry about that. Now that they are married, they do have cell phones, and my son won't allow his kids to have htem as they are only 8 and 10. I am glad of that too, as I feel that is way to young to have a cell phone. My daughter has 3 boys, and the oldest boys are living with their dad and they have a cell phone, that they share. The oldest one has his firs cell phone at 24, now he is going on 15, this month. I still think some what that is to young as he is just not responsible to have one as he loses things. At least he learns when that happens, and I am sure his dad won't allow him or his brother to even take the cell phone to school. I know I wouldn't especially when they are so irresponsible. Take care, and happy mylotting. 
