Right Age for Cellphone, Looking Back???

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Right Age for Cellphone, Looking Back???
13
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 6:25pm

Looking back, what do you think is the right age for a cellphone?

and why?

Any advice on that matter - agewise or servicewise or parentwise?

Thanks - I appreciate what I think may be freshly, more experienced opinions here!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 09-29-2004
Thu, 03-15-2007 - 2:28pm
My kids both got a cell phone when they started high school since the school was a far distance from home. It was and is used only for emergencies and/or to keep in touch when they are out & about(i.e..Hey Mom, missed the bus. Could you come & get me? or Have to stay late at school for band practice?) It is not to be used for chatting with friends since it costs money to use it to call non-family members. I have no problems with them calling their friends to say "Hey, been waiting at the mall for 30 minutes. where are you? but I do have a problem with the cell phone being used as if it is a land phone. It should never to used while driving the car. Both have adhered to the usage rules with no problems or complaints. It was just accepted as "of course". In fact, DS's cell phone is a dust collector. DD hardly ever uses her phone and I have used mine only about 3 times so far this year.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-13-2007
Thu, 03-15-2007 - 7:19pm

I agree - the right age to get a cell phone is when you need it.

We got a family plan when DS was a high school frosh and DD was in 6th grade. Both were playing sports and were often at two different fields at the same time. At first they only used them for "come pick me up now" calls. S still only uses his that way, but now that he's driving I'm SO glad he has it in case he ever has a car problem. DD uses hers more.

We've never had a problem with going over our minutes. We have a Cingular family plan, member-to-member minutes are free and many of DD's friends have Cingular. Also nights & weekends are free. Plus we have a ton of roll-over minutes.

If you get your child a cell phone, you might want to invest in the $5/month for insurance. DD's first cell phone went thru the washing machine.

I like that I can contact my kids whenever they are out of my sight. It's come in very handy to locate each other at the mall or at high school sports events. If I call they know they'd better answer! (unless DS is driving, in which case he knows to call me back when he gets to his destination.)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2005
Fri, 03-16-2007 - 9:47am

My son got his cell phone last year. (12). It was the right age for him because he had reached a point where he was often off doing things on his own or with friends and needed a way to call for rides, check in etc... (it's not like when we were kids and there were payphones on every corner). We gave him a tracfone so it's prepaid and for emergancy and check in purposes only. He can't really use it to just chat. He doesn't need it for more than that anyway.

stacy

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