At what age will you give your child a cell phone and why?

Question

When I grew up we didn’t get a cell phone until we were 16, and that was because we had a job and could pitch in. But times have changed, and that was a flip phone lol   I’m wondering what parents are doing these days that have older kids, and why?

Answer

When they start going places I’m not. I got mine when I was 14, in 2004. I started going to a school far away and carpooled, so I needed to communicate with my parents. It was only M-F or if I went out with friends on a weekend. 
I’ll do the same when mine start doing after school events or going to friends houses. However, it will be locked down and mine otherwise. I don’t think kids need free reign of technology until they are mature enough to understand the consequences. I’m not a jerk, but I will definitely be protective of my kid for as long as possible. 
It’s hard to deny them technology I won’t lie. My oldest is almost 7 and is the only kid in her class who isn’t allowed an iPad or to watch any YouTube. We also don’t allow phones at restaurants or anywhere to be honest. I absolutely HATE seeing a family out and their kids are on a device. What’s the point in even going?!

Answer

I will probably want her to have some method of calling us when she’s old enough to be places on her own. It probably won’t be a smart phone until she’s a little older, but I will probably want to get her one of those ones that’s designed to have a few numbers it’s limited to when she’s school age.

Answer

When I was growing up, i didnt get a cell phone until i was 15. I dont plan on giving my kids one until i feel they are responsible enough to have one. So that depends on them. I'm thinking high school. At the rate kids go missing due to chatting to unknowns on their phone is terrifying.

Answer

We got our daughter a phone last year for Christmas, she was 10. It was the cheapest straight talk phone from Walmart, $30 and we get her the $15 plan that lasts a month. At first it was only for her to contact us (her parents) and her grandparents and cousins. Then after a few months we decided that she could use it to talk to her friends and use it on WiFi for games. She earns her phone time buy doing chores around the house. If she gets bad grades or gets in trouble the phone gets taken away, although we haven't had to do that because she gets good grades and never gets in trouble. Other kids her age may not be mature enough for a phone. I don't think age should determine when they get a phone, it should be maturity.

Answer

I said 14-16 but I also agree and am willing to change depending on need and maturity level. Safety is the number one reason she will have or not have a cell phone. My daughter is about to be 10 and she will not be getting one in the near future. The children who are her age and have them use them to bully each other and do other things they aren’t supposed to. I intend to get a landline soon so she can still talk to her friends like I did as a kid, but I don’t think she needs a cell phone when she isn’t going places on her own.

Answer

6,when he starts school.

Answer

I didn’t get a cell phone until I was 16 and could drive because my parents wanted me to have a phone In case something happened. I now have a 13 year old and her dad and I have her a cell phone when she was 12, one reason we like her to have a phone is because we are divorced and we can both get in touch with her whenever we want to and we both agreed that was an appropriate age to give her one, we also have a 9 year old but have told him he can not have a phone until he is 12 as well and in the 6th grade like his sister

Answer

I think I would allow a cheap phone, not a smartphone, for communications, from the time they go to school alone or go away with friends.. because I get worried as hell if they're 5 minutes late 😂
I try to hold back but I can't help but pacing and looking out the window every 10 seconds.. But I realise that's kind of insane so I try to keep that for myself 😅😅
Anyway being my child I would always ask them to let me know whenever they leave for home or when they arrive anywhere.. Except for this 'trait' I feel like I'm a cool person like.. Anything's fine for me as long as they're home on time for dinner, their homework is done responsably and they let me know where they are in case something happens (with me or them) and they need picking up asap.
Whenever they show they can deal with all this freedom responsably and they take care of their stuff.. Then we can talk about smartphone

Answer

Freshman year of high school. Before then I don’t see one as necessary.

Answer

We have discussed no cell phones until our children start driving on their own. We don't see why they need one prior. Again... That's about 13 years away for our oldest so who knows by then?

At what age will you give your child a cell phone and why?

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