At what age do you believe a child should get a cellphone? Why or why not?

[Lucy68]

And at what age did you get your first cellphone? Were there any rules you had go follow? How did you obtain your first cellphone? And when you have kids what rules will they have?

When I was coming up the only people I knew with cellphones were adults and people in highschool and college. Now I'm seeing kids at least 2 even 3 years old with cellphones. My older cousin on my mom's side who's married her husband bought their (i kid you not) 1 year old daughter a cellphone so she could watch her cartoons 😑😐. My mom is a Pre-K teacher and she has kids in her class (these are kids that are age 5-6) that not only have cellphones but also smart watches like the Apple watch for example. Growing up the only phones we toddlers/kids have were the ones that made the animal sounds or the sesame street cellphone for toddlers. When I was 12 years old starting junior high school, my parents gifted me a cellphone (it was a pink Motorola razr) and that was only because the junior high I was attending was an hour away and I also had a lot of after school activities. At the time I only used my cellphone to call my parents to either come pick me up from school, from taekwondo, or dance practice, and text my friends (but only on the weekends that was the rule).

[NathanDavis]

there are way too many factors involved...

for example, my niece had a first cellphone since age 8 or 9, and that was because it was an absolute necessity for her to have away to contact and communicate with us, from school for whatever reason needed (this region is not the safest in the world, so it is an absolute most)

and although she was young for a phone with internet and all, it was still okay, because her phone was always checked and monitored by her parents as well as me, and that's just a habit that has been in place all the way to her early teen years, just a quick check to make sure nothing weird is going on

[MrPickles13]

I think a basic phone from a young age now is a good idea as extra cariculars and stuff like that.

I had a phone like that as my first one I think I was 10. But anything more modern eitherbwhne they can afford it or when they are older.

[Blackcosmo]

If they need a phone to contact in some circumstances you then they should have a phone. But I generally feel like at 15, it would be suitable to have their first phone normally because they're halfway through their teen years and have somewhat experience.

My parents said they won't get me a phone till I'm 18 but I'm planning on getting a job and getting a phone at 16.

[LazerBean]

Definitely whenever they start going to public school or out without parental supervision in general. They just need to remember that I bought the phone and pay the bills for it, so they better use it responsibily.

[hahahmm]

Oh, I think they had it right in the Roman Empire where a boy did not become an adult until his dad decided he was responsible & mature enough to earn the title. So one kid might become an adult at age 11 and another might not be an adult till 20s. Although, I imagine the ones who took long tended to get sent to some kind of boot camp where they never returned from. Anyhow, I would say parents should stop acting like they are slaves to their children and go old school.

[Tyrael]

I got my first mobile secondhand from my brother around the age of 13 or 14. It was an old Nokia, black and white display, no camera and you had to pay 12p per text message you sent and top up with credit at a store.

[MrCTH]

I obtained my first mobile phone at 10. The agreement was that my parents were to check my phone every week and I should only talk to people that they knew. My father ended up giving his old phone to me, however to the reluctance of my mother.

When I have kids the only two rules they will have to follow is:

1. Don’t use your phone at school
2. Let me check your phone every 2 weeks

[XXblack88]

If I had kids I would say 14 or 15 since that's when they usely stay after school or go hang out with friends. I was 15 when I got my first cell. My dad wanted me to have one with the whole independent/rebellious phase I was going though.

[TacosRAwesome]

I'm ok with them having a basic phone (eg Nokia 3310 vibes) at a young age especially if they're involved in a lot of extra curriculars but they can have a modern phone with cameras when they afford to buy one.

[Mark987]

I was 22 which I bought myself. We live in a different time now. I think 14-15 is good.. but as long as they don't become one of those people that spend all day on it and become anti social

[GoodGuyBreakingBad]

I had a Sprint phone I was in my early 20's

[RealMarek]

One that can receive pics and videos? When the child can afford one.

[Jamie05rhs]

They should get a regular cell phone when they're 8. They can get a smartphone when they're 16.

[Anonymous]

16 if it is a girl. 18 if it is a boy.

[moonpie89]

My neice got one beginning of grade 9

[Celticwolf78]

I think that they should be older like 12-17

[H8INCHES]

None... adults only

[jimmy2]

21. Lol