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How Old Were Your Kids When They Got Their First Cell Phone?

Posted September 10, 2015 - 11:34am

I hope I still have a few more years before I'm dealing with this, but was wondering what ages you all started or plan to start. Also, do you put limitations on their cell use?

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beachcitymom

My child is still waiting on a cell phone..lol. He is almost 12. That being said, he is also homeschooled. he does have friends that are his age in public school who do already have cell phones. I am not sure but maybe I would want my child to have one in middle school if he wasn't at home. 


justamom

I'd say 16 is a good age. It's a big responsibility & I wouldn't try it any earlier.


Mommy Ramblings

It depends on the child, the activities they are in, your feelings etc. I don't think it is a blanket age. My son had one at 10 or 11 but he had 2 older siblings with them. Now my younger sons are 8 and 6 so we shall see when they get one. I do think if a child is 11 or 12 and plays sports or after school activities that a phone even a prepaid just for staying in contact with you would not be a bad idea. I am sure that is my younger sons are doing that I would get them a phone more for my peace of mind. LOL.


Frugal Minded M...

We got track phones for emergency purposes when the kids were having to stay after fo school events.  This was at 12.  Then when they are in high-school they got i-phones under a family plan.


jonbonjovious

My youngest (9 and 11) were given cell phones. My 9 year old never used his and said after three months he really didn't want it. My 11 year old has one--it's more for our peace of mind....so she can call us from school if she needs to, check in from a friend's house, and communicate with us. My husband also has it set up with a GPS so we know where she is at all times (she is aware of this). We recently moved to a small community and we don't know anyone. Things are far different her than the suburbia we are accustomed to.


Your Kid's Table

I love the safety component too, but I'd like to wait as long as possible. My kids have been exposed to very little technology at this point, quite intentionally.  I know there are some down sides to that too, of course.


Momofboys

My oldest is five so no cell phone yet. I am thinking around 14 or 15 he may get his first one.  I was amazed to read the handbook for elementary school and see that they covered elementary kids not using their phone during school hours. I guess some students must have them early, but I don’t see the need for my kids to have one.


Frugal Minded M...

My son told me last year his classmates in 2nd grade had iPhones.  Think that's a bit much.


CandyOvercaffed

We aren't quite there yet, either. My friend has a daughter older than mine and feels the same way about cell phones that I do, but is finding she may need to get her 11yo a phone just because of activities to have a way to keep in touch.


sunnykathleen

My daughter was 12 and she had to save enough money to pay for the device and a year of the montly fees. She babysat and saved her birthday money for it. My son ended up with Type 1 Diabetes and I got him a phone when he got out of the hospital so I could keep track of him and he could look up carbohydrate counts online. He was 12 also.