What's the right age for parents to get their kids a cell phone?

I don’t want to be a spoiled child like most kids are. In which, I believe that the cell phone age should be at least 16-17. Because, I’m 13, 98% of the kids at my school have phones, and I feel safe to say I’m smarter than all of them. And not only that, kids do a lot of misuse and bad stuff with cell phones, and see bad stuff as well.

the age for kids to get a cell phone is probably around maybe 10.. I gave my daughter a phone when she was 9 years old but she did sneak twitter and we caught her easy!! It depends on how much you can trust your kid and their maturity

I’m 11, and I own and iPad that I saved up for (my mum paid sixty pounds too). When I go to secondary my mum says I’ll need one, but I want to buy one myself so it would be easier for my parents but I don’t know which to save up for. Any advice would be appreciated :)

Based on my experiences, you should get kids a phone when they are in middle school. In my grade (6th) about 99% of the kids have school. I think that middle school is the right age to go to your friends house straight from school, and kids need to let you know where they are.

I think kids should get a phone when they enter Middle School. I am basing this belief off of what I noticed in school the past few years. In fifth grade, not many people had phones, but in middle school, about 80% of people had phones in 6th grade and 95% in seventh. As a seventh grader, I am sad because I don't have a phone yet and I am stuck in the minority 5% who cannot join in on certain conversations or talk about certain trends because I don't have my own phone. I have been begging to my parents for one for years, but my parents are not budging on the issue and I am not expecting one until high school when i will probably be the only one without a phone. A couple times these past few months, I have needed a phone but i don't have one. On snow days, I want to see if my friends are busy, but they don't check emails anymore because they all text on phones. That leaves me bored. Multiple times, my parents were super late to pick me up from chinese school and I get worried. If i had a phone, i would know where they were and what was taking so long. they just dont get it. Although i know they think they are just doing what is good for me, i feel that having a smartphone would put me in a way better and less uncomfortable position than what i am now. I feel left out at school and sometimes i get made fun of. My parents' decision to not get me a phone is doing more harm than good, at least to me. How do i get the message across to them that having a phone will help me a lot?

I think a child should have a phone at the age of 10-11 years old because it helps them become social although they could meet up with random people you should test them to see if if their ready if their been naughty and were going to give the phone if he says he sorry and hes desperate for a phone give it to him because it will help him/she alot.Imagine your child went to the shop he could tell you if he was in danger or if he stays home by himself if someone braking in.

My kids have been asking me for phones pretty much since the dawn of time. Just this week I bought my two youngest (10-11) an Iphone X and my two oldest (13-16) Samsung galaxy S9+s. I thought that they really deserved them and I am considered a "cool" parent among their friends. Was that a good Idea?

I may be a kid,but listen to me,please. It really depends on the child's responsibility,but for the average child,it would be 11 at the minimum. Sure,I got my phone in 5th grade,but that's because my parents wanted me to be able to contact them in an emergency and they know I'm responsible. 11-13 is the age when your child goes to middle school,aka the 3 years where they have to deal with bullying,grades,etc. Let's focus on bullying and emotions for now. Since middle school is the age where most children get phones. So if you don't have one,you're the one of the main targets for bullying. People might even not want to be friends with your child if they don't have a phone! Now for emotions. Sometimes on big field trips,the teacher lets the class bring their phones. Sometimes,people have their phones out,and your child is just holding schoolbooks. This can make your child feel left out and depressed. If you are thinking about getting your child a phone,I'd recommend on getting a reasonably priced Samsung,LG,etc,before building your way up to Apple when you see they are responsible. If you really want your child to be responsible,make them pay part of the phone bills,and speaking of which,I'd recommend limited text,call,and data so they will manage their phone in a mature way,instead of using it for practically the entire day. I almost forgot,get a phone that fits your budget. If your child doesn't like the phone you can afford and agree on,just ask them if they want that phone or no phone. I hope this helped! :D

I'm 12 and I think the right age to get a kid their phone is middle school. I think that I'm at the age where I should get my first phone but I haven't gotten one yet. It's hard because 75% of my friends have phones and are on social media. But I do NOT think that 4 th or 5 grade is a good time to get a phone. That's when a kid should have an iPod which is my opinion.

I am 17 years old and I just got a new phone , I Phone 8, I have always had the older phones of my friends but I kept waiting cause I knew one day I would get a newer phone. I had the 5s for 3 years ( that was after the 6 came out ) and yes I will be honest I complained about it but it was okay. All you kids that really want a new phone , don't worry about having the newest phone at such a young age , you have your whole life to have a new phone . Just go with whatever phone your parents give you and when you get old enough , get a job and work for a new phone . ( I pay $100 a month for my phone)

Honestly, I’m not so sure what’s the right age.. I got a iPhone when I was ten. Not the latest one,’ It was the IPhone 6s. I really never asked for one because I never needed one. As my grades kept getting higher each marking period, my Dad decided to get me a Christmas gift. Once again, I was really never focused on the idea of having a phone like other kids do. That Christmas gift was a IPhone 6. It was wonderful. I never really knew of social media until 6th grade. I got introduced to it by my many friends that I had. As I’m growing up and showing that I’m doing my responsibilities. My mom decided to get me a IPhone X, indeed I did not want it but as to be kind I decided to take it. I’m blessed with this gift. If you don’t know, this was a UPGRADE from my IPhone 6 to the X so my mom really didn’t pay much for anything. Except cases and protectors. You have to make sure that you take care of the stuff you have now, it’s dosent have to be technology it can be simple things like lunchboxes or walking your dog. If you have a tablet or IPad I recommend sharing it with a sibling (as I don’t have any siblings) and that might show your parents if your nice and caring about the things or people you love. Clean your IPad or tablet.

Honestly, I think the right time to give a child a phone is when they are entering High School, about 9th Grade. This is when they will start to socialize with more friends, and do more sports and after school activities.

I think that kids should have phones at about 6th grade that is when they start to do more things with friends and sports that you need to let them have the phone to call you if something is wrong. and about middle school I was staying home a lot with my sister so i needed it to call my parents anytime i need to. i would also only get them 1 phone and if they cant keep it safe in a month then they should not have one but it is up to you.

Here is a good criteria set: Ask yourself: “Is my child/teen involved in a lot of afterschool activities?”, or “Am I away from home a lot?” If this is so, you may want to get your child a phone for safety. Another thing you should ask yourself is: “Has my child/teen displaying maturity, are their grades good, can they complete tasks?” If they exhibit the traits you have been pondering, a phone could be an option. Another thing to consider is “How can a phone affect their overall life (for the better or worse)?” By using this criteria, you can properly consider if they deserve a phone. You don’t have to get them the latest model (I got a my first phone a few weeks ago and it was an iPhone 6S), as long as it can use the latest (or previous) version of whatever it runs. However, if you give them a phone your previously owned, and it is an iPhone, consider getting a battery replacement first to make it run good (it’s only $29).

The age a child should get a phone depends on the child. If your child displays lots of maturity and you believe they will do the same with a phone, you can get them one. If not, then wait. With me, I was the type of kid that had frequent meltdowns when I was younger, and I displayed maturity at times but it was inconsistent. Eventually, I realised I needed to grow up, and I picked up my game. After that, my dad told me he thought I was mature enough to have a phone. You, as a parent, should do the same. Wait until they are consistently displaying maturity and until they have proven they will do the same with phones. I got a phone at age 12, but some people got one earlier and some are older than that and still don’t have one.

Hi, I'm rosa. I'm am 15 years old, I don't have a phone, my parents rule is we are not aloud to have a phone until we drive alone!!! Yes! I now it's not fun haveing a phone but I just haft to trust my parents now what they are doing, yes I've always wanted phone most teens make fun of me becouse I don't have a phone, all the kids that do have a phone be great flu for what u have and don't want newer becouse there are kids out there who don't even have a phone! Anyway that's it.

When I was around 10 that's when I first got my official phone (which was a Blu studio energy 2) it was a little expensive but not to expensive (like around $150). But after a year of my phone being in perefect condition my parents decided to get me a iPhone 6 plus (which was around $500 at the time) and I took good care of that to. Then around a year and a half later I got the iPhone 7 plus (which was around $860 at the time) and then now a few months ago I got the $1,000 Galaxy note 8 (I'm 13 at this time). So my point is to start little and see how responsible they are before deciding to blow $600 on a phone, because if you give a child the latest iPhone as there first phone they won't know how it's like to own a basic phone so therefore they will not appreciate the value, they might appreciate it physically but not mentally.

I got my phone when I was in fifth grade and my dad got it for me so I could keep in touch and I’ve had it for a year now and it’s is still in tack so about sixth grade is the right time to get a kid a cell phone

I am 13, and in eighth grade. My parents, for whatever reason feel that I'm not ready for a phone. I do believe that a phone is very important in day to day life. I'm a triathlete, and so I go on 60 mile bike rides, how am I supposed to keep in touch? I'm also into photography, and sometimes I don't have a camera on me, I do have a small little flip phone, but the camera is .3 megapixel. That quality can't capture a single thing! Anyway, I don't think a kid should get a phone when he is 10, 11 and maybe even 12! I wanted one so badly at that age and I didn't get one. I look back at this and realize if I did get one at the age, my life would be a mess! I think the correct age to earn a smartphone is around 13 years of age. This is just my opponion and I could be wrong, so sorry if you disagree! Thanks!

There is no real age limit on having a phone. It is about maturity and if you think your kid would be sensible using their phone. Could it wait a few more years?

I don't have a phone and I'm in 6th grade. And the reason I NEED a phone because, in my Theater Arts class, we have to memorize lines and I won't be able to contact my friend who is in my class. How am I suppose to memorize lines if I don't get to practice with her? And her mom doesn't even let her stay after school.

I don’t have a phone and i’m in seventh grade. i have a cousin in second grade that has a phone. everyone but like a few people in my school have phones aka my friends. i get made fun of for not having one. i think the right age for parents to get kids a phone is sixth grade because in middle school that’s when it’s really important because you’ll hang out with your friends after school and they will need to know when to pick you up. my brother got his phone when he was 14 because my parents rule is you have to pay for it to have it. but i’m too young to get a job except taking care of my neibors cat. there’s nothing that can help me because i get 3 bucks for allowance a month and 10 cents for any additional chores. so yeah in high school you have to have one because the teachers make you take pictures of the board instead of writing so i’m screwed. thx for reading my rant i love you

So am 13 and everyone in my school even people 2 grades younger than me......but I don't. My parents are divorced and so my mom bought me a android phone my dad took it away like 5-7 time a day on time he took it away and dropped it (it broke and shaterd) before this happend my dad threatened me with a flipphone then he finally did it. I have all A and maybe 1-2 B in school I don't do anything bad but that's just how it is for me. My dad won't let me get a better phone even if I buy it and it's soooooooo hard because am in grade 8 with a flipphone. My friends are always complaining about how they hate their iPhone 6pluse they got foe christmas beach use it's gray and not rose gold it make me want to slap them. Buy I don't know what to do ive only told 2 people about it and haven't even told one of my best friends in the whole world. Thank you guys soooooooo much I thought I was the only one with these phone problems

Hi. im 13 in 7th grade and my parents won't let me have a Phone with CELLULAR. I have an old hand me down galaxy s4, and have a text app on it. It is super embarrassing when everybody is on their iPhone 6 or 7's. I have to use someone elses phone to call them They get mad when i miss calls and texts, but i go out a lot, and i cant receive texts if im not on WiFi. I feel left out. my parents also never want to talk about it, and Christmas is coming up but i know i wont get a phone. I dont understand. I have saved up for a phone, but m parents said no! I also have A's and B's in school. I dont know what to do. My sister has had a phone since December of her 6th grade. (She's 15 now.) she got an iphone 4s, and then got an iphone 6s. She is way worse of a person than me and has had her phone taken constantly. I have never had my phone taken away.

This depends on when the parents decide. I was one of the last kids to get a phone, there were kids in my fourth grade class with phones! At the time of writing this (11/29/17), my parents got me a phone in June 2017 (a few month prior to this).

I'm in 6th grade and everybody in my school has a phone except me. I asked my parents why they won't get me one and they just are like we haven't have time to talk about it. But I know their lying. I hear them every night talking about it. And they say I'm responsible but it's so not fair. I feel like such a loser. Everyone at school teases me and I get left out because of that. I think you should get your kid a phone when they start middle school.

Personally I do not have a phone with a SIM card so I am unable to make phone calls without a internet connection. It sometimes proves to be difficult to contact my parents to communicate. Age 14/15 or the freshmen year of high school is a good time to get a cell phone, and also the maturity level of the child plays a major part in whether a phone would be used appropriately. During the high school years a phone is transforming form being a want to being a need, as many schools use communications through technology. So the years of high school would be a good time to get a child a cell phone.

Hi! I'm 12 turning 13- I have a flipphone...*sigh* my parents haven't really told me why but I think it's because of social media news. I'm on social media but they probably think that they wouldn't be able to see what I'm doing or if I post anything inappropriate; or if I'm on it for too long, they consider me, "a noodle" if I zone into a screen for too long! I have to use their phones so they can see what I'm doing. They hardly ever let me use their phones...I'd be VERY surprised if they EVER got a phone for me on my birthday OR christmas!! My opinion, from the comments...I agree that it's mostly maturity! NOT age. Age doesn't matter or even if ALL your friends have a phone!

Ok, I have read basically every comment on this list to get an idea of what people are talking about. So as a 12 year old 6th grader, being mainly the majority of commenters on this thread, I'd like to give my opinion on the matter. But, before here's my history with any mobile device. I got my first tablet at age 8, it wasn't mich a cheap 50-ish dollar Digiland tablet, but I still loved it mostly finally having literally any touch device at all was a huge step up. Moving on adter a while due to boredom I soon moved to using the computer more often, because I was 10 and wanting something more. Then at age 11 August time, my mom had recently damaged her phone, her phone being a badly cracked cheap Alcatel Pop Star Lte 2. Me being fed up of tablets already took the phone despite the condition of it and fir the first 3 weeks it had data and calling, because after she droped she just abandoned it, I used anyway. This didn't last long, after my sister had found her lost iPod Touch, that had been missing for a year almost in a janitors closet in her high school... She started using it again.In March when she got a job she got an iPhone 5s, and I got her product red iPod ( meaning a portion of the money we paid for it was donated to cure AIDS in Africa). This is currently my main device I use, for all of my social media to interact with family and friends and to entertain myself. Now that it's out of the way, my personal future plans is a pre-paid iPhone 6 that's around $200 from Straight Talk. My reason why is so I have a phone of own to use to keep up with my school activities, friends on social media, calling people, since my parents seem to forget I can't call my sisters to see what their doing, and if I'm being honest it's the norm now to have a phone and even young teens and pre-teens need them now if there ready for it, most people at middle schools will have phones and they WILL BE ON THEM ALL THE TIME. In short if your ready for a phone and have valid reasons to have one go for it and ask your parents and prove it to them by getting chores done and setting points. Parents, sometimes if you're away a ton from the house working or their busy, it's important to keeps their needs in mind and think about getting them phone sit down and talk to them about requirements to get one. it's not just a texting machine, it can actually make it easier and safer if they had a phone.

I've read at least 20 comments and I could agree on probably a majority of them. I had my dad's iPod when I was five all the way to 10 years old. I wasn't in any grade when I got my very first phone because it was the end of fifth grade but it wasn't sixth grade either. I do believe you should at least have a device like an iPod or a cheap phone like a Samsung J3 Prime.. Your age and maturity can be key too. My recommended age to get a phone for your child is probably 5th grade, or the start of middle school like 6-7th grade. If peers are pressuring you, just lie to them and say you have a phone already and you aren't allowed to bring it to school. I bet that'll kick them off the road. If you are still unsure just make sure you do a daily check on their search history and maybe after they've gotten more mature and more respective towards the social media and technology, you can be sure they won't misuse it.

Well I guess I will take the role of "worst mom in the world". Like Heather Land says "I ain't doin it!" I have three children, ages soon-to-be 4, an 8 year old and a 9 year old. my kids are already addicted to their Kindles as is I am not throwing a phone into the mix. My generation and this next generation has become so entitled and self absorbed, they believe that when they want something they deserve it no that is not true. When you hand a child a smartphone you're handing them over a very powerful tool. To have unfiltered internet access is insane. Do you realize how easily children can access pornography? Not just through searching for it on Google but also through Messenger and other hidden apps. The social pressure of sexting and sending lewd comments/photos to one another is so incredibly high. Do you realize that teen depression skyrockets by being on social media platforms by trying to meet up to their peers standards it's constant evaluation of whether they measure up 24 hours a day. And you don't even have to look at pornography through Google or messenger it's right there on Facebook teaching our kids what sexy is. There's the pressure right there I don't look like him I don't look like her. I'm saying maybe age 16 and that is with accountability software installed on their phone and controlled by my phone. Parents it does exist it is out there and yes your kids will be mad at you for it but better safe than sorry. look it up on Google Play apps. If you don't have the software of any sort your kids will find a way to hide things from you on their phone. I'd rather shave my legs with my husband's dull razor blade then buy my kids a smartphone before they are 16 years old and that's even pushing it because that's when they start driving and they may try to talk or text and drive. Nope. I ain't doin it.

I am 13 years old and am in 8th grade. Everyone in school and all of my older siblings have phones. Everyone teases me about not having a phone, plus I'm in Middle School and I have to ask strangers or people on my team for there phones so I can call my mom. It is really embarrassing. I've had a phone before and I had it for a long time but then my brother stole it and reset it so now I don't have a phone. I also have enough money saved up to get a really good phone but my parents say I can't buy one. I would say that the right time to get a phone is the beginning of midddle school.

I'm literally a senior in high school and I don't have a phone. This is ridiculous. I am in the top of my class and never gotten a B or below in my life and I am super responsible. My parents are crazy.

I'm in 8th grade, and it stinks not having a phone. Practically everyone in the school has one. When I'm at a party or something funny happens in class, I can't take my phone out and record it ... because I don't have a phone. My parents won't buy me one until I get my driver's license because they say I don't need one. But I have a lot of extracurricular activities, I do track and dance and clubs at school. I hate having to ask to borrow a phone. I'm saving my money, because if I buy my own phone my parents will let me keep it.

I'm very surprised that nobody is looking at the health implications of getting young kids a cellphone. There are some interesting and pertinent points raised about cultural, social and other implications, but the impact to kids' health and long term affects need to be addressed, as it's potentially more important and impact-full than any of the other issues. Every legitimate study ever completed on cellphones and their effects has indicated that cellphones are dangerous for developing children, especially when they are younger and their skulls are not thick enough to shield radiation. A cellphone emits EMFs, which is another term for microwave radiation. Every time you hold one to your head, you are in danger of slowly microwaving your brain. The biggest study done on this recently in the US has determined that heavy cellphone use is detrimental to brains, especially those in developing children, and heavy cellphone use is defined as 3 hours per month!!! There are numerous studies available from other countries saying the same thing. I personally have been a heavy cellphone user for about 15 years, and earlier this year developed a massive subdural hematoma (bleeding on the brain). As a result I nearly died and was rushed to hospital for emergency brain surgery. It was due to weakened blood vessels around my brain in the exact location of my cellphone ear, and heavy cellphone useage was determined to be the culprit by my team of Neurosurgeons. I have told my kids they will not be getting cellphones until their brains are developed and skulls are thick enough to shield most of the harmful radiation - ie: at 16 at the earliest! They are absolutely fine with it after seeing what I went through.

Honestly being a freshman in high school sucks without a phone, You have people peer pressuring you to get one, and I’m way to shy to ask my parents and I already know they will refuse due to the cost and they think if I were to have a phone I’d need a line to come with it our the phone won’t work. At the moment I have an iPad, which I can’t take places and its a bit embarrassing to me. A relative got it for me last year. I just wish I had a phone, sucks asking strangers to use their phone to make a call, sucks not keeping In touch with anyone. I honestly would buy my child a phone at the age of 12.

I’d say late tweens but it depends on when the benefits of getting a phone start to apply to them. For older tweens and teens(like me) phones can help let parents know where you are and communicate with friends about important school projects, but for younger kids there aren’t as many advantages. Just listen to your head!

I don't believe there is an exact textbook age to get a phone. I'm 14, I have no phone whatsoever, and I'm okay with that. It depends on the situation. For example, I'm homeschooled, and none of my activities require me needing a device to communicate with my parents, like if I needed to text them to pick me up at a certain time. It probably also depends with the people you hang out with. I'm mostly friends with people who are younger then me and don't have phones, or don't frequently use their phones. I've noticed a lot of the comments are saying that they WANT, not NEED a phone. I wouldn't take it personally if your parents say no to giving you a phone. Your parents know best. But if you're constantly borrowing your friends phones to text your parents or something like that, you probably need a phone. I can imagine it can be a burden if you feel like you need to check your phone constantly, so your parents may want to protect you from that. And guess what? If you don't have a phone, your parents don't hate you. So please calm down and do something that doesn't require technology. Go talk to your friends face to face. You don't need to worry about checking your notifications or keeping a streak on Snapchat, you're free!

So, I turn 15 in about a month and I've only ever had one phone (no data or texting just a phone I could use wifi on) which was really crappy and broke after a couple months, my mother won't buy me a phone mostly because of money reasons but she won't let my dad buy me a phone who I'm pretty sure has enough money for it. I don't know why they won't get me one, I'm in all honours/accelerated classes and I've got straight A's, I do yearbook, drama, and my afterschool orchestra which you have to try out for plus regular orchestra and I take art. I think this alone shows that I'm responsible enough but I'm also in honour society and 4-h. I believe I am responsible enough but my mom thinks I'm too young even though most kids get phones in 5th grade now and I'm the only one in my grade(10 with 2 grade 11 classes) who doesn't have a phone. I believe I need one due to the amount I have to borrow my friend's phone to text her and the amount I stay after and go to events by myself and stay at friends houses. Although I try to respect her decision sometimes it's really hard and I will get into arguments with her. She never really explains why she doesn't want me to have a phone though it's always just "because I said so" and I'm curious as to why so if anyone has any ideas why please let me know.

I am 12 years old and in the 7th grade, but my parents won't give me a cellphone!! I have the money to buy one, but they say that I am too young!! Everyone else in my grade has a cellphone, except me!!!! I deserve a cell phone! I have never done anything bad in my life!! THey just don't trust my brother, so they think that I can't be trusted too!

I think that kids should get basic phones when they have valid reasons to have a phone (example, after school commitments), but when they are in high school, a smartphone, like the iPhone 6, is acceptable. This is my opinion because the world is changing, and this is a good idea, because you get children with iPhone 7's and their parents have iPhone 6's (experience).

i am a 16 year old and i dont have a phone but i think there shouldnt be an age on when a kid should get a phone the only factor in my house is if i can pay for at least half of the bill and when i am able to do that i can get a phone and i already can pay for half the bill and i am starting to get to the point where i need one just hear me out i ref hockey and i have had a few of my ref partners not show up for the game and i didnt have a phone to allow me to call my assigner to get another ref to help me out so i had to ref a peewee tear 1 so pretty high level by MYSELF!!!! and the parents and coaches were getting mad at me for not making a call they saw but i didnt because im only one person and i cant see everything

My mum said that when i go to secondary school next year, that i can have a cheap smartphone (under £70) and that i cant have a sim deal over 10 pounds unless i want to pay for it my self. I think that if (unless you know that they wont look after it) that any child should get a cheap smartphone for their 11th birthday/just before high school/secondary school. If they want an upgrade they can pay for it them self.

Honestly I only got a phone bc I had all A's and B's but tbh you don't really need a phone unless your parents are divorced and you need a way to communicate with them, or if you are in certain grade levels that your parents get worried etc.

I have 3 kids and believe that it is a must for your child and you for them to have a smartphone. These days phones are used for everything from being social to education and saftey.Kids get bullied for not having a phone and feel left out. Their are so many benefits of having a phone and I think it is stupid that some parents don't understand that their kids should get a phone. It is not as safe today as it was when us parents were growing up. Your child will need a phone when they get their first job, and do extra after school activities. By the age of 13 most kids are responsible enough and can benefit from a smart phone, it's better safe then sorry.

First phone idea - We got our son a "gizmo" at about age 8 (through Verizon) It's worn like a watch and limits calls to four phone numbers that you choose. We love the GPS feature that tells us exactly where he or the phone/watch is. When ever we go skiing, theme park etc, we make sure this is on his wrist. He's 10 now. I don't feel the need to upgrade to a smartphone yet, knowing he has the "gizmo" to reach us if he needs to.

I am 14 years old I have been asking my parents for a phone for about a year now. I know it seems silly to be so invested in just a phone but I feel left out around friends because I don't have one. I have been saving up for 8 months for a phone and still don't have enough money. It's hard to try and save up for something when you can't get a job. I'm going into high school this year and it seems like everyone has already had a phone forever. I feel I am mature enough to handle it and I keep trying to explain to my parents that times have change and a phone could really benefit me. I'm actually on this website to get thoughts and facts on why I should get a phone so I can write an essay explaining to my parents the reasons I want a phone. I think the fact I willing to pay and write an essay even though there is no reason I have to sort of show I am mature enough to handle my own phone.

I got a phone when I was 12, in seventh grade. I actually got my first phone when I was 8 or 9, but it was just an old flip-phone. I got a smartphone at 12 because I was heavily involved in extra-curricular activities, such as orchestra practice, martial arts and I had a job working at a grocery store. I think 12-13 is a good age to receive a smartphone. Children under that age are just too immature. I remember when I was 10, I wanted a phone so badly. I asked my parents for one almost 24/7, but they refused. At the time, I was angry. But now I can clearly see why kids under 12-13 have no business owning expensive smartphones. If they need communication so badly, get them a $5 flip phone.

I am 14 but my parents don't want me to us a cell phone. They think l will use my phone to watch bad stuffs, and l want use it for studies. this is really bothering me because,i use my phone to play games, and i don't use it for bad stuffs

Hi as a 13 year old who does not have a phone i have asked my parents for a phone since i was 11 they said no but i think it was okay then but now when i am going 8 th grade i don't think its fair not having a phone but when i go shopping i see 8 yr olds with iphones while i dont have a phone it hurts a lot but i think 13 is the age to start.

I'm 20 soon to be 21 end of next month and I got my first cellphone on my 18th birthday. I think kids should not get a cellphone until they are 18 cause of all the sexting I hear teens do and creating child pornography. I'm sure not all teens do that but alot do. At least only get 17- kids a flip phone with only texting/calling and no data so they can't send inappropriate content. At least they can stay in touch with their parents.

I got an iPhone 7 a few days ago. I am so happy to finally get one because everyone around me has one. I was the only person in 4th grade who didn't have a phone, so I think a person 10 or older can get a phone and use it responsibly.

I'm going into 8th grade and I don't have a phone. I'm not allowed to have any social media or communicate with my friends without parent supervision. I get really annoyed by not having a phone and I am very involved and our school is completely ran by phones and it's RIDICULOUS! Kids want to able to be on them at lunch, teachers post homework on instagram, and teachers allow kids to have their phones out for classwork giving them full access to the internet. My little cousins have phones and my 8 year old sister has friends with phones. It can be very embarrassing when somebody says, hey what's your instagram, Snapchat, or phone number and you have to come up with some excuse like oops I forgot it. I beg my parents for a phone and I tell them that basically everyone has a phone and they say that some don't. I get good grades and am responsible I have received citizenship awards and participate and volunteer at our school but my parents still won't budge. It now is a learning tool and I think that it is important to have a phone. think that 13 is a good age to get a smartphone if they are responsible and mature.

If you have a child under 18, you should have a reason why you're giving them a phone. Make sure they are responsible if they break or lose their phone. And I also reccomend an app or a phone that can protect your child from predators, bad apps, and bad websites. Always check their phone too once in awhile.

I say ages 11-12. Really middle school, because many kids walk/bike to school on a daily basis. Some children may need to wait another year, but most can handle following the school rules on cell phones. Most middle schoolers have them now, some teachers even allow kids to use them for certain educational projects because they know most kids have a smartphone. It's never fun to feel left out. That's why I think the start of middle school a good age to consider a smartphone for your child.

The only reason I want a phone is so I can have wifi all the time. But I see like 5 year olds with phones and I think. What the heck! Lots of people say 11 is the age where kids become mature enough for a phone and social. But being so small and having a phone is just wrong.

I think it is extremely annoying how there are kids younger than me that have phones. I only have an iPod touch and almost all of my friends have phones. I am writing a paper on this in English and I think that there should be an age restriction to own a smart phone. Having phones at a low age can be dangerous to them. They can look up inappropriate things that can be harmful to them. Also child abusers could ask them for pictures of themselves.

I'm 11 and I've got a phone. It isn't the iPhone 7 or anything, but it's a Nokia which is fairly tech savvy. I got it today and I'm more than happy with it. I can call, text and use Bluetooth. I recently shifted house, and I live in a gated community. So if my parents are at home and I'm on the other side of the community, in the playground or a at a friends place, I can use it to tell them I'm coming home or they can do vice versa. I think a kid should gat a phone at ages 9-12, maybe a bit later, but it depends on maturity and responsibility. If you think your kid is ready, then go for it. But don't give them a flagship smartphone. It can be quite dangerous. It's just my opinion. Thanks for taking your precious time to read this. Bye.

I think the best age for a person to have a smartphone is not an age but when the parent’s child is mature enough to understand the dangers of a smartphone and will have self-control over it. Understanding the dangers of a smartphone is very important. The child could do anything on their phone whenever they want without a parent around, like communicating with whomever they want and looking up whatever they want. Teenagers should also be responsible enough to have self-control over their smartphone, because if they let themselves become addicted, then they may not be able to pull themselves from social media or video games. Also, parents should make sure that their child actually needs a smartphone for useful purposes and not just for entertainment or because everyone else has one. It is vitally important for children and teenagers to understand the difference between being dependent on a phone and using it as a tool for extra help, and using it as a main source of connection with people and experiencing true connection through real conversation. If parents were to focus on this going forward, then instead of their children becoming more and more dependent on devices for connection with others, they might develop the ability to truly understand and learn from other human beings.

I believe that at the age of 12 and up you should be able to trust your children to not do anything dumb on their phone and of you are not sure just go through their phone every once in a while I do that to my children and I have no problem with her the point is just your kids

I know a 7year old who got a iPhone 7 which is crazy!! If I had a kid I would get them a flip phone when they get into high school.

I believe that the right age for a kid to have a cell phone is at a range of age between 14 and 17 because at that age kids are more responsible and mature. But getting them a phone doesn't mean that they have earned it. First they have to show you that they can handle a cell phone and won't get distracted when doing homework or other important things. If they do so then since you’re the parent you have the right to take it away until you see that they can handle it now responsibly and won't get to distracted easily. But on the other hands I still believe that kids that are still not that age need a phone to stay in touch with parents if they are going over to a friend’s house and or walk home or use public transportation from school home. I say that parents will think twice before giving their child a phone and also think on the reasons why it not good to give a child under age a phone. So I predict that parents will give their child a phone at age 14-17 when they’re responsible and mature enough or when they can prove they deserve it.

Most parents have trouble deciding when they should buy their children cell phones. In my opinion, parents should buy their kids cell phones. The tricky question is how to know when a child is ready to own a smartphone. Once you give your kid their first phone, you might start wondering what they are doing with it and who they might be talking to. It’s not that you don’t trust them, its that you don’t trust other people on social media. They are exposed to online bullies and child predators. However, children from different ages show different amounts of maturity. The age of a kid does not show the level of maturity or responsibility. Giving your child a cell phone shows that you’re ready to trust them when you’re not with them. It is understandable “why people buy their kids smartphones”. One reason to buy a cell phone is for safety purposes, especially when they have to take public transportation from home to school. When you’re not around your children, you worry if they’re not fine. A cell phone allows you to contact whoever you want whenever you want. Network problems actually do limit when and where parents can contact their kids, so providing your kid with a phone may provide parents with a false sense of security. It doesn’t matter where you are, with just a click of a button you’ll be able to contact anyone. In the New York Times “article” “ What’s the Right Age for a Child to Get a Smartphone?” Brian X. Chen gives a couple of reasons why cell phones can be used for other things. “ Smartphones undoubtedly bring benefits. With the devices, children gain access to powerful apps, including education tools for studying, chat apps for connecting with friends and the wealth of information on the web.”As a student, using my phone as a tool can be very beneficial. When I used to have troubles in math class, I would search up ways to solve the math equations. By watching videos, I eventually learned how to solve different equations. However, smartphones can also be a great distraction. Smartphones are not only used as a study tool. If you pay attention to the negative side of cell phones, you’ll realize that kids can become highly addicted to them. A few things that your kid can be exposed to is games, sexting apps, child predators, and cyberbullies. Most parents decide to buy their children their first smartphone in hopes that they are mature enough to avoid the dark side of these devices. Internet safety speaker Jesse Weinberger said, “The longer you keep Pandora’s box shut, the better off you are.” As I continued to read the same article, I found a study that was published last year. Common Sense Media was curious enough to poll parents and children to see how many admitted having an addiction to their cell phones. “5o percent of the children admitted that they were addicted to their smart phones. It also found that 66 percent of the parents their children used mobile devices too much, and 52 percent of the children agreed. About 36 percent of parents said they argued with their children daily about device use.” The main question here is “ How can you determine the right time?”The answer varies because it all depends on how mature the kid is. Age does not show levels of responsibility, independence and maturity. The Chief executive of Common Sense Media, James P. Steyer, said, “No two kids are the same, and there’s no magic number.” “ A kid’s age is not as important as his or her own responsibility or maturity level.” One example that shows how age does not show how mature you are is an incident that occurred at a Colorado high school. 100 student at a colorado high school were trading nudes of themselves on their mobile devices. A way to prevent kids from making mistakes while owning a smartphone is creating a contract. Ms. Weinberger came up with a family contract listing rules of smartphone use. The contract also contains consequences when breaking the rules. It “ includes promises never to take nude selfies and never to try to meet strangers from the internet in real life.” Parents state what the consequences are for breaking the rules, and the child must sign the contract before receiving a smartphone.” Overall, deciding whether to get children a phone depends on whether the kid can be trusted to send pictures or texts responsibly. If trust isn’t present between the parent and the child then buying a smartphone is probably not the best choice to make.

Well,I recommend kids between the age 11-13 to get one or it depends how "responsible" your child is.There are 2 options for to get for them 1. A flip phone or if they are teased about it.then use plan b 2.Have them do a challenge to see if they go 30 days without doing (insert child's major flaw here) and you can get them either a iPhone 4/5 or an android phone because my parents did this to get my phone.Parents,you can set restrictions/parental controls on their phone to see if they aren't abusing it or if you kid doesn't want you "Spying" on them,trust them to see if they use their phone appropriately.

As a 13-year-old, most of my friends have cell phones (some of which are iPhone 5-7). Of course, I would like to have a cell phone but I have an agreement with my mother. This says that I am allowed to get a cell phone when I am 14. Here are the reasons why we agree with this: 1. Phones can be dangerous. You can easily be contacted by people with bad intentions on purpose or by accident. 2. It's not good for kids to constantly be connected. 3. Kids will want to constantly play on their phones instead of play outside or do something productive. 4. There are always ways for kids to get in contact with their parents. Stores have phones and most adults would be happy to lend their phone to a child who needs to call their parents.

Many people will be shocked by my answer to this question. I am 15 going to be 16 this summer. I am obliviously in high school currently working on my GCSE's.It is hard to communicate with other people, but at least I have a laptop. I have never ever had a smartphone in my life and it is really hard to live without a smartphone in high school/in this modern world as you are surrounded by it each and every day. Yes, I have had brick phones for the past 3-4 years(Since year 7-11). My friends will always be laughing at me and when it is break time, after having a laugh they will all get their iPhone's out and browse on it for a good 30 minutes. I would be sitting there looking at them and then I will just walk out of the room because I feel left out. They would always be talking about new apps coming out, social media that I can't upload on my laptop. When we are going out for meals or something they will go on snap chat and snap everything. Many people out there will not understand as I come from a different background ( and I wouldn't like to mention it) It is very frustrating especially when you have strict parents. My sister got her first smartphone at age of 18 and she was going to UNIVERSITY. I KNOW RIGHT!! Fortunately, I am going to be getting an iPhone 6s when I start 6th form and I am going to be having this for a couple of years. My advice to the people out there that have a similar situation is that patience is the key, be very patient and time will fly by and you wouldn't realise it. I have 7 months to go!!

If your child is 6 years to 12 years, I suggest a Gizmo Gadget Watch. The new Ver. can hold up to 10 contacts, while the old one can only hold 4. I have one, and it's really useful!! While 13+ year old kids can have a Smart phone, or an IPhone. If you're a parent that's unsure if you should give your child a phone, I really suggest a Gizmo Gadget watch. Only the Parent/Guardian can control what contacts that their child has on their watch, and it has a tracking feature!! I highly suggest a Gizmo Gadget.

I just turned 12 and got a phone for Christmas. I got an iPhone 7 it's excellent. I would say kids below 11 should not have a nice iPhone like a 6 or a 7 or a new galaxy.kids from (8-10) would be good getting a smart tracfone like the ninja turtles one or just a flip fone like an lg chocolate that does have games,can text, and take pictures. I have had friends from years past that have had those phones and they are good for age. Even though I got an iPhone 7 any iPhone or galaxy or just any smartphone for a (12-16) if your son or daughters B-day is coming up soon I would suggest and iphone5c to a 6 because the newer iPhones are very Expensive. But other than that it's the parents decision.

Once they are about 9, get them a flip phone, or some other cheaper phone. When they turn about 12 or 13, consider a smartphone.

I am a 13 year old teen, almost 14, and i still don't have a phone. When I am allowed to get one, I will have to purchase it myself, along with paying the monthly cellular bill. I ride the bus home, and yet the only reason my parents wont let me buy one is because i don't need it. My advise would to either let your kid get a phone or buy it for them around 11+, unless there is an issue in which they need a phone beforehand. Otherwise, I see no need for a phone for kids 10 and younger. Also take into consideration how responsible your kid is. If there always getting in trouble, then maybe they don't need a phone quite yet. Hope this helps.

You should give kids a phone when they show that they are responsible enough for owning one, but dont wait until they are 15, probably they will be ready at 10+. Technology isnt avoidable, it is better to teach them to use them correctly than forbiding it. Dont give them an outdated phone! It should at least have Android 5.0 (Lollipop) or iPhone 5s , cause, believe me, if you give anything lower than that they will hate phones forever (bc of lags battery, no more updates, etc..) .Windows Phone isnt an option, lacking apps makes it suck.

It is really up to the parent to decide when their child should get a mobile phone. My first phone was something called a 'Gecko phone'. I was seven at the time and all I could do with it was call my mum and mums friends in an emergency or the emergency number. My mum was the only one who knew how to programme numbers into the phone and delete numbers from it. It only had the call, the hangup, the up and the down buttons on it. I had that phone for three years and on my tenth birthday, my mum got me a Motorolla flip phone. At the age of twelve, I was given a smartphone. I am eighteen now and now have an iPhone 7 Plus. Anyways... phones can be really costly and parents have other things to do with their money such as: buy food, pay the bills, keep a roof over their family's head etcetera, etcetera. But as I said; it is up to the parent to decide when it is the right time for their child to have a phone.

I didn't get my first iPhone until just a few days ago ( Christmas). Before I got my iPhone my parents started me off with a LG Cosmos 3, a simple starter phone that only texts and calls. I had gotten the LG phone in 7th grade and kept it for two years and wasn't really addicted to getting a iphone until my aunt kept bugging me about it (which was in the middle of the summer) I talked to my dad in August about it and asked him how many years you usually keep a phone for and he said 2 and I got very excited because I had kept my phone for 2 years already. When I asked him when I could get one he said Christmas..and I was like seriously? But it was worth waiting because now I am happy I have a new iPhone 6S.

I think that kids ages 13 and up should have phones. I have asked my parents numerous times for a phone, and although my dad does not have a problem with it, my mom refuses to give me a legitamate reason why she does not want me to have one. Every single person at my school has a phone, and I do not. I have a tablet, but this does not cut it. I do lots of sports, and numerous times nobody has picked me up from them, and I am afraid that one day I will be left alone after track with no way to call anybody. I do have a flip phone, but it is VERY embarrassing to use it in public.

I think kids should get a phone when they are 10 thru 12 because 1. I got my first I phone when I was 10 2. By the time you are in 4th or 5th grade it seems like everybody has a phone so you feel left out. Considering all of the above it is ultimately the parents choice because they will know how responsible the kid is and if they are willing to pay the money on the phone and data.

I think that giving a child a smartphone at a young age (like 10) is not a good move. I was given a cell phone at a young age and stumbled upon a lot of content not suitable for someone that young and impressionable. I say you should give your elementary school age child a flip phone with little functions. Texting and calling family should be the only functions, no games to distract them. Also check your child's phone often to see what they are up to (if they are mature enough to be texting friends). I think when a child grows to be in middle school it is okay to give them a smart phone if they are mature enough to handle the responsibility and are receiving good grades. Not having a smart phone in middle school is alienating and can make you seem uncool, so giving your child one can keep their social life from lacking. A child should definitely have a smart phone by high school because they will have no friends without the most recent phone. I am around this age and I can say that my peers who have phones are a lot more social and generally happier than those without. But, if the child has delinquent behaviors it is best to take away their phone and make them do specific chores or get better grades in order to earn their phone back.

You should get a kid a phone at age 9 or 10.It also depends on the grades and behavior.

When my son was 6, I struggled because I felt like he was too young and immature to handle the responsibility of a cell phone (not losing it, not playing games during school, not accidentally stumbling on inappropriate content) but he rides the bus to and from school and it made me extremely uncomfortable for him not to have a way to get ahold of me if he needed to. Especially because our district has had a few issues lately with dropping little kids off at the wrong place. I settled on getting him a gizmo through Verizon. Even though it's a cell phone, it's worn and looks like a smart watch - makes it much less likely to be accidentally left somewhere. There's also no internet access, no ability to download new apps, and the few "fun" apps built in aren't distracting games, and he can only make calls to and receive calls from phone numbers that I've pre-approved. Lots of carriers have similar watch phones for kids and I think there are several you can buy independently from a carrier. I think they make great options for kids who are too young for a cell phone, but still actually kind of need one.

I just turned 20 years old and do not have a cell phone. When I was younger I was given a track phone when I began driving, but if I wanted anything more I would have to pay for it myself. I started living on my own soon after first quarter in high school. I have been living alone ever since. It is hard to afford everything when you are paying for college, and all of the bills of living, when you are only being paid minimum wage! So currently my boyfriend and I share a phone that his parents pay for(it is cheaper to have him on their plan for them). I completely understand not having a cell phone and feeling socially inept when you do not have one, but kids do not understand how the world works! Having access to a crappy track phone is enough to contact parents, and friends, especially at a high school age. If you want anything more you should have to work for it just the same as everyone else in the adult world. If you want things that are provided by your parents you should have to pay them for it if it is more than the bare minimum. If you are already acting entitled to a phone at a young age, it will be hard for you in the real world.

I haven't reached this problem yet. My son is only 9 and homeschooled, but he's asked before. My personal opinion is unless they need one to communicate with their parents, cell phones are frivolous and a constant expense, not a one time cost like a Game Boy or stereo. It's a perfect way for them to learn some financial skills by paying for and managing their own payments for data, insurance minutes etc. If they aren't willing to work for it then why should they expect their parents to.

as soon as there going places alone so usually around 12

I think that the appropriate time for one to get a phone is in the 6th grade. I personally got my phone in 7th grade and it has allowed me to communicate with friends better and it has made life easier in school now that technology is highly integrated into the modern school system. The type of phone doesn't really matter, but I'd say to buy an older phone at first and then to get a newer phone after one's level of responsibility has been proven. I started out with an ipod that I had to keep in tact for 5 years in order to get my first phone. Getting a phone too late can seriously hinder a teens social life, something that can be very emotionally stressful. The ultimate choice remains with the parent, but do keep in mind the needs of your child while deciding!

If u want to know when to get your child a phone i've got an age try from 8-9 get them a little tracphone it does not have to be touchscreen or anything it could just be a phone that were you could communacate to your parents if there is an emergency then from 10-11 on their birthday or chirstmas get your child a pre-paid phone they have iphones if your kid wants an iphone it goes far as an iphone 5c or if they want a samsung get them a samsung that's how i would do it

This is 2016, a new technological age where pretty much everyone you know has a phone, whether it be a flipphone to a 800$ iPhone. I'm in 8th grade, so next year I'll be off to high school. I'd just be chill and all, sitting there watching my friends snapchating each other or texting and all and I'm just there, the only one without a phone. I've been URGING my mother, asking if I can get one. She's chill with the idea. It is 2016, and it is very dangerous out there. Sending me to high school without a phone is very unreasonable. My sister, however, does not want m with such power. I mean, I won't be addicted. I know I'm trained to resist the urge of using my phone too much. I have excellent grades in school, I do sports and I'm in clubs. What more responsibility and well-roundness would you want? I remember once in 6th grade barely made honor role and then receiving an iPhone 6 Plus... on the first semester. That stuff gets on my nerve when I work so much but others get the better. It's time to let you're child grow up, not stay as the baby anymore. You should get them a phone not to early nor late, but when you see that they can handle the privilege. Sure, I have an iPod 5 that's so slow it drives me crazy, but I'm very thankful for what I have until I get a phone. Parents, DO NOT just go buy your teen an iPod and say, "Hey, we just bought you a phone!" Carrying around an iPod is very embarrassing, like if I'm still being treated like a baby. I'm playing flappy bird on it or something and then one of my friends approach like, "Oh, you have a phone now!" It gets really nervous from there. Apple would trash those iPods in a year or two just because you can listen to music on a phone or a cheaper MP3 player. Reading all the thoughts here has inspired me to continue urging my family to see that it's time I need a phone now. After all, I turn 14 in a month, and 14 is way too late for a phone.

I for one believe an 11 year old is responsible enough to get there own phone. If they work hard in school, and study enough, then they earn the right. Coming from a girl who was the youngest in the her grade all the time, I was always jealous to see how hard I worked and still never got a phone compared to the girls who got 5 phones in there lifetime without even trying to do any work whatsoever. That feeling crushed me. A few weeks later, I was the only girl in my grade without a phone. Then came my 11th birthday, I got my hopes up too high, and guess what I got, another pair of clothing and a stuffed animal. That was the day I didn't feel like moving. that was the day I cracked. I was hysterically crieng hugging my knees over a rectangular object. my point is face it people, we really shouldn't care if a kid 10 and up gets a phone because at this point face it people, we live in the 21 century, technology is what we revolve around weather we like it or not. Unless you want what happend to me to happen to your child, I think if they are hard working enough, they deserve a phone of their own.

What age should a kid get a phone???

I am 13 years old and I have an iPhone 6s Plus, and I am going to upgrade to the iPhone 7 here in a few weeks. I got my first ever phone when I was 9, and it was because we were visiting New York and my mom wanted me to keep in touch. It was a Samsung Galaxy S3, and it was a really good smart phone. You could call text, access the Internet, download apps, play games, just about everything you need. I was a mature 9 year old, and my parents didn't monitor what I was doing on the phone, and they still don't , because THEY DON'T HAVE TO. If your children want phones, I saw let them have it. It's up to you if you want them to have a brand new phone, or an older phone. At the time, the phone I had when I was 9 was brand new, so that goes to show you my parents wanted me to have a good, working phone. But let me get back to the point. If your kids are over the age of 6 and they want a phone, just give it to them.

I got a phone last year, just before my 13th birthday. Honestley, I think that anyone under maybe 12 years old does not need a phone. Yes, it is important for someone around that age to get a phone, as it is important to be in touch with parents and friends. Even with this in consideration, most people get the latest or most expensive phone that has just been released. Personally, I got my mum's old iPhone 4, and I don't need anything more than that. I probabbly will get a new phone soon, but my parents and I have agreed that I have to be able to save up to pay for at least half of it.

Ok, so I'm 14. No phone. A freshman. It's actually really sad to me that I don't have one, mainly (being honest) because everyone else does. No really, EVERYONE. And I'm homeschooled, which makes this more of a phenomenon. Money isn't the problem. All my parents have to do is tell me I have to pay for everything and I will. I'll buy the plan, the phone, everything. I currently have an iPod Touch, which I had since I was eleven. You can text on it, which I think is the only thing keeping me from going insane. My friends from camp and I are going to meet up sometime later this month, and my only fear is that I'll be left out because I'm the only one without a phone. Which I will. I feel so left out all the time. I hate it. So the perfect age gap for a phone is 12-13. Perfect timing. Sending a kid into high school without one is honestly kind of cruel. 11 is too young, 14 is too old. Having the iPod touch that I do, it's enabled me to keep many friendships. Let's be honest here; you can convince all your friends to email you if you don't have a phone. It's kinda rude to those people, and they don't use their emails anymore anyway. It's inconvenient, and it's not gonna work. Please, PLEASE get your kid a phone in either 7th or 8th grade. Being left out is one of the worst feelings in the world - especially when you could do something about it, but the people you love most won't let you.

I am 12, and there is a 10yr gap between me and my closest sibling. All of my siblings got a phone at 16, my mom's rule. I think it is unfair that I have to wait another four years for a phone. Everyone at school, and I mean EVERYONE, has a phone. My friends are getting new phones and I don't have anything. I am responsible and have all A's, and I would feel safer if I had a phone. I talked to my mom about it several times, but she said, "no. " I've talked to my older siblings about it, and they think it's unfair too.

im 12 and im getting a phone this christmas. all my friends got phones at 10-11 and I have been asked so many times by different people what my number was and it getts really annoying because i dont have one

My son is 13 and I got him a cell phone for his birthday last month, but here's the catch: It doesn't have a phone plan attached to it. That comes when he shows enough responsibility to have that phone. It has WiFi that's monitored by my husband and myself so I see what he's doing when he's on it. He doesn't get it when his grades are bad or when he's grounded, though. I think 12 - 13 is about the right age to have a cell phone, if they show the responsibility to have it. As for the phone plan, that will have to wait until he's 16 and helps put money toward the bill.

I am 13 and I still don't have a phone and don't see it coming up in the future. I have an iPod and use Google Hangouts to call my mom sometimes for free, but even with that my dad still limits my internet access every night. I honestly think is is a good time to get a child a phone around the age 12-15, no later than that. Especially for safety reasons. I would say 13 is the right age because that is the age when you get a curfew and go out to friends house and stay somewhere alone with no communication access.

I don't have a cell phone. But nowadays kids are getting cellphones at younger ages every year. Most kids my age have one or two. They always ask what my cellphone number or email. In my opinion 11-13 is the right time. I am getting a cellphone next month. But there is no need to go out of your way to buy more than one for a kid.

Any age you can afford it and they can operate it. For one it can be a tracker.... My daughter had one when she was quite young because she was alone at a dance class. If for some reason there was a mix up or problem... I know she could contact me anytime on her own. Make sure you use parental controls as needed and get one that has them. And be super consistent and strict on rules. I'd get all my kids one if I could afford it -even the 5 year old. And that's family of 9 now. lol Guess I should change that!

I am a 16 year old. I will be 17 in April I will be a junior at Monterey high school (11th grade) , I have a phone but it doesn't have service so for me and my friends its hard for us to stay in contact. I got my first phone when I was in 8th grade it was a iphone 3 now I have the iphone 4 my parents want to wait to turn on my service when im able to drive by my self but I have a job right now so I could help them pay for the bill but my parents wont let me.

I am 12, nearly 13 years old. I do not have a phone, and came here for help. I read over this article and thought about the questions. They are all completely in my favor. I am very responsible, I don't even usually leave the house by myself. I would go on, but basically what I'm trying to say is I'm fine for the requirements, yet my parents still will not consent. They don't even have eligible excuses anymore, they bring up safety, but I tell them about the safety features phones that can block things with the search engine. It's not money, they say it's not responsibility, than what more do parents even want? Is anybody having the same problem?

I got my first phone halfway though 8th grade for Christmas- I was 12 at the time. Personally, I think that children have been exposed to too much technology at a young age. I don't think that children should have SMART phones until they are at least 11 and in 7th grade. If, as a parent, you observe that your child is not responsible at that age, perhaps wait a year or too before getting them one. However, I live in a rural area. Perhaps in the bigger cities you need to get into contact with your child, buy them a cheap flip phone. It should work just fine for contacting them.

I got an iPhone for my twelfth birthday. I got my dad's old iPhone 5s and it has worked well for me. I originally wasn't going to get a phone until I was 14, but then I switched schools and now I go to a school much farther away. I also play club volleyball and I play sports for my school, so getting a cell phone was almost a must. My parents made me show the responsibility by getting me an iPod touch at 11, and I was very responsible with it. Also, my parents keep my phone downstairs in the kitchen at night, and since its the summer, I don't get it until all my chores are done. I also earned an Instagram when I was 11, and they set specific rules for that. My parents read all my texts, and if I want to put someone in my contacts, they have to know them. My parents are thinking about getting me a Snapchat, but like Instagram, I will have to be very responsible. In conclusion, I think a kid should get a cell phone at 12 or 13, and if you don't think they are responsible enough, don't get them one. A good way to see if they are responsible is by getting them an iPod touch. It's just like an iPhone, except it runs on Wi-Fi instead of data, and you can still text and FaceTime.

I got aphone this year and im 10 so I say get one when you are a Tween.

I got a phone at 9 I think you should get one when you start going outside on your own I started at like I got my first smart phone at 10 it was a small one it was a LG now I have a iPhone SE. For you children like second or third phone an iPhone whould be good

Please, please, please, I cannot impress upon you enough -- do NOT get your child a *smart*phone until they're at LEAST 13. They don't know how to use it properly, time and time again I see young kids making terrible decisions on those. I think a regular phone, something designed similarly to a flip phone would be fine until that time, and that's only if YOU need to keep in touch. I think 13 would be a good age for a basic, cheap smartphone, and if you want to upgrade to something more fancy from there, such as an iPhone, I think it would be a lovely 14th birthday gift. I got mine at 13, but that is only because it was essential to contact -- my parents both had iPhones and it was something we needed for certain features. I can tell you I enjoyed it, but it wouldn't have been essential. A basic smartphone is fine for keeping up with friends, your child won't suffer socially based on what *type* of smartphone, but rather that they do or don't have one, and it won't even really come up until around 13 anyway.

Advancements in technology have vastly improved humanity’s way of life. The convenience of the smaller size of devices, the speed of accessibility and the innovation of design has made many people’s dependency on technology increase through the years. This same dependency has now extended to children in the very same way it has affected adults. A study in 2012 showed that nearly 60 percent of parents have given cell phones to their children at ages ten and eleven. Since then, the age of children owning cell phones has dramatically gotten younger. In fact, a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics resulted in 75 percent of 4 year olds now owning cell phones. With this new craze becoming the norm, many children have moved past their wanting of a cell phone and have upgraded to now needing a cell phone. But their reasons for needing such a complex device differ from their parents seeing their need for it. Some parents are okay with giving their children cell phones because they see an increase in levels of maturity and responsibility to the point where they feel their kids will handle the phone properly. Also, the ability to contact their children in an emergency and their children’s ability to contact them put their minds at ease. And of course, cell phones have the capability to access the vast array of information that is made available through the Internet. Parents can see this as a beneficial tool in enabling their children to learn more outside of school. However, the disadvantages with kids owning cell phones cannot be overlooked. With the availability of the Internet, inappropriate websites are now easily accessed by children. Texting and playing games are huge distractions during class in school. And electromagnetic fields produced by cell phones are classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. So, parents have many factors to consider when deciding to give their child a cell phone. In the end, regret will hopefully be the last thing on their minds.

I don't have a phone yet but this is what my parents said to do. They told me that if you want a phone you should buy it with you're own money. Start saving up. A phone I want is the iphone SE. So I joined competitions and found ways to earn money. In a year I'll probably have my phone. This way I'm responsible for my phone not my parents.

I would say get one at about 12 or 13. I got one around then BUT don't get them a brand new iPhone or a giant phablet, get them something cheap like a zte. They look nice and they can be a fair price around $50 to $70. Teach them to take care of it before buying them a high dollar one and always invest in a good case.

I got my daughter an iPhone 5s on one condition that if she looses it she will pay me back and will not get a cell phone for one year. If your child tends to loose things then I suggest to buy them something that they will like and if they loose it then they will have to pay a price. My daughter also is getting good grades (I.e. 80-100) which brought the phone from a 5c to a 5s. Personally I think that this is a great method and you should try it.

If your worried about too much screen time or the money of it or them losing it you can wait until you can tell they are responsible for them not losing it. If you are worried about screen time/talking you can just set a time limit or something like that. If you want to make sure that they don't talk to the wrong people I would recommend just only letting them talk to people you allow and every now and then listen to what they are talking about.

Honestly, I would say to get your child a phone around the age of 11 or 12. Unless your child is doing anything without an adult ( example: Walking to and from school alone) it would be best to get them a phone as a way of safely ( Even a flip phone could work just to make sure your child is safe). Also you have to make sure your child is reasonable as there would be no point getting them a phone if their just going to break it.

i would say 12 but if your kids want a phone get them a tablet instead