At what age should you give a child a cell phone? I say wait til they around 13-14, old enough to be responsible. What do you think?

That sounds like a good age. I have an 8 year old son and he is not quite ready for a cell phone. maybe in a few years

If they spend nights away from you at all (scouting trips, sleepovers, etc), then they should have the ability to contact you when they are not at home. Even if you just get the phone and only let them take it when they're away from you for the night, I think it's a good idea to have the phone there as soon as they're old enough to learn how to dial home.

You know, I think this depends on the situation the child could be in, the child's maturity, how responsible they are, and how much money you are willing to shell out for lost cellphones.

My son Peter is very much the air-head, but he does respect his things and other people's things. He just forgets where he last saw his stuff or other's stuff...lol

MuseMom

Somewhere on TV I saw a wrist type of cellphone for kids where you can check in on your child and the only numbers that the child can call out on are the ones that are programmed in. I think they can be programmed on a speed dial system. It would save anyone with kids that would lose the cellphone.

DCMerkle

I'd probably get them Go phones or TracFones. Something where you're not responsible for a huge bill if they happen to lose the phone and somebody else finds it and uses it. I think that would be the way to go for a child's first cell phone.

It would depend on the child. If you think that they are responsible enough, not just in the possibility of losing it, but in understanding that it cost money to buy it. If you get one that is the basic of basic, no bells and whistles, then it should be easier on the parents wallets.

seeker

I think it depends on the situation, if they are responsible at a good age, thats fine and dandy, but if they just want one to have one, thats another story. My husband swears up and down our little girl will not have a phone til she is 21. :D

Call me cuckoo, but my son is going to get one of those little phones that only calls mom or dad and has like 3 buttons as soon as he hits kindergarten. I'm so scared of him wandering off or being taken. I'm going to use one of those zip pull thingies that some people have their keys on and bodily attach it to him to reduce the risk of him losing it. Then he can call me if he has an emergency or I can call him.

The technology is there, I'm going to use it. When he grows up and can demonstrate real responsibility we'll consider a phone that he can use for more than calling me.