Cellphones? Right Age to Start?

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-18-2006
Cellphones? Right Age to Start?
18
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 6:22pm

What do you think the right age is to start a cellphone?

Why?

and does anyone use Disney or something age-specific?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-28-2004
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 6:38pm
jackie had a migo from verizon it only calls four people that you program in and 911.
Its was perfect for a young child.......
I think it all depends on your child. If the child is responsible and can handle that kind of responsibility. If your child really needs one. And it would help out in alot of situations. If its just because the child wants one or complains that he/she is the only one that does not have one then no. But if situations have arisen that both you and child would benefit from having one then yes and age appropriate would be good to have. Its a tough decision but some companies offer only a limited amount of calls or certain plans are available for just kids. Look around and find one that fits your needs.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 6:52pm

It depends on the child and the situation.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 11-22-2004
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 7:15pm

That's a good question and I think it really depends. If you are a working parent and your child has to walk home from school then maybe there's a need. My 10 year old has no need for a cell phone. I never drop him off anywhere and leave him. I stay at baseball, basketball & football practices and games.

My 10 year old would LOVE a cell phone...LOL! He'll just to wait until there's a genuine need.

I'm soooo mean.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 8:03pm

There is no "right" age, its what works for your family. Some kids never have cell phones, others have them from a young age.


My DD got a cell phone when she was 10.5. She started coming home from school on her own and she was also at the bus stop without me (other kids and the odd parent but not me). It is ONLY to be used between us and her friends can use it in an emergency (their parents aren't there to pick them up kind of thing). She has had it for 18 months now and has never abused it. We just have a family plan with a local provider. She has the same phone I have, a camera phone and the novelty wore off on using that after about a month. We have never used up all of our minutes so we pay the basic price and that's it.


If you think it would be useful (and now that DD is involved in more afterschool activities I find it a real time saver as she can phone me when she's done or contact me at work to tell me she's staying late and I need to pick her up, just handy things as there is no pay phone in her school (lots of people us the payphone response but that's not an option for our kids at this point)), then go ahead and get one. Do some investigating and you may find that just getting a regular phone on your regular plan is the cheapest. Just have some clear guidelines, what the phone can be used for and what not and it should be fine. If its abused its taken away. The cell phone she has is MINE, not her's. I can take it away anytime if I think its being abused, that has to be understood up front.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 9:03pm

I think the right time to own a cell phone is when a child is gaining independence and will use it for contact with their parent. When my son and daughter began going to the neighborhood library alone or with friends, taking my cell phone, I saw a need for them to have one of their own.

They have a one-year t-mobil pre-paid plan, 1000 minutes. More than enough minutes to call home :).

Lynn

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-12-2003
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 9:15pm

My boys will be 12 and 14 this year


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Thank you Ruby for my wonderful siggies!

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-26-2003
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 9:34pm

Yep I agree, it really depends on the child and the situation!


Our DD got her cell phone for her 12th birthday!


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Community Leader
Registered: 12-16-2003
Wed, 03-14-2007 - 10:59pm
We got dd one in 5th grade since she was involved in sooo many things. My ds wants one, and I can see getting him one in 5th grade as well. Dd has never abused her phone.

Ramona  Mom to 2 great kids and wife to one wonderful hubby since 1990!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-18-2003
Thu, 03-15-2007 - 12:03am
Alex will be getting one this summer because he will be out and about a lot on his own and it will help him let me know where he is. Up until now he hasn't needed one.

Linda
mom to
Alex (16), Rachel (14), Matthew (12)


iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2005
Thu, 03-15-2007 - 5:33am
My DD ended up getting a phone when she went with DH to but me a new one last May. I wasn't very happy a bout it then cause she was only nine. It was 9.99 to add the line and she shares our mins. Now I'm glad she has it b/c she's been involved in so many activities this year it came in handy and it made me feel more comfortable knowing I can always get in touch with her.
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