At what age did you get your first mobile phone?

[bubble_tea]

Under 5

Age 5-10

Age 11-15

Age 16-20

Age 21-25

Age 26-30

Over 30

[BaileyisDarcy]

I was fifteen when I got my first phone.
https://i54.tinypic.com/59u4n8.jpg
I think that's it anyway. I can't remember.

It was taken off me when my step mum broke it after getting pissed and throwing it. Can't even remember why.

I'm on my second phone that I got eight months after that incident.
webshop.cashconverters.com.au/.../...telstra-0.jpg
I love my flip phone. I also love how every time I bring it out, all the people my age will go 'oh my god is that a flip phone? I haven't seen one of those in years!'

[dolphiny]

my mom gave me an "emergency cell phone" in 6th grade when i was 11. it was free and i wasn't allowed to use it except to call like 911. i never used it.
i got my first real cell phone (it was a pink razr lol) when they weren't even cool anymore, when i was 13 or 14 i think. i couldn't even text on it, only call people.

[bubble_tea]

What? You couldn't text on your first real cell phone? :O

[dolphiny]

nope, lol my plan didn't have texting. we would have to pay like 10 cents per text, and my parents wouldn't let me. even though thats all everyone did... text. so my phone was a little useless. but i was still happy to have it

[KAZ-2Y5]

i was 16 my first phone looked like this:
i.i.cbsi.com/.../ZTE_Valet.png

I am now 18 and this is my phone
cdn2.ubergizmo.com/.../moto-g-2014-review-5.jpg

[BiscuitesSwag]

3, for Snake and other games which I don't remember their name. 😂

[bubble_tea]

At 3!

[MrOracle]

I was 25, the year was 1995, and the phone was a Sony CM-H333 on the GTE (analog) network.

https://i.imgur.com/vmDlyEG.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/YhIiR76.jpg

This phone was affectionately called the "Mars Bar" due to its small size and rounded back that had "finger grip ridges" that kind of reminded people of the texture of chocolate-covered peanuts.

[bubble_tea]

Todays smartphones are slowly approaching that small size again.

[gray_sailor]

I got my first analog cellular phone in 1994 from CellularONE I was 27 years old at the time. It was a Motorola bag phone like the one shown below:

braddye.com/.../motorola_bag_phone.jpg

[gray_sailor]

Thanks for the MHO.

[meatballs21]

It was 1999, I was 19. It was a Nokia 5110 which was pretty much the standard issue phone at the time. Just to give you an idea of how crappy these things would be considered nowadays, it had the ORIGINAL version of Snake (not that many will even remember Snake) and it didn't have a vibration function - you had to buy an aftermarket battery which had a vibration motor but it wasn't a standard feature.

The first phone I actually cared about and used extensively was my second phone, a Nokia 3330 which I got the following year.

Nokia ruled the world back then, and the replaceable covers and downloadable operator logos/images meant there was a whole cottage industry supporting them.

When I got a Sony-Ericsson T610 a few years later it was a revelation - a colour screen, a camera, decent ringtones and sounds, and you could sync it up to your computer to get images. The custom case and downloadable logos industry died almost overnight... the ringtones thing lasted a little longer.

[bubble_tea]

Yeah, Nokia used to rock. I think those old phone are STILL working to this day.

[Applefan1]

I was about 16 when I got my first mobile phone. It was back in about 1999 or 2000. People did not really have mobiles before then. It was back in the time where you where cool if you owned a mobile phone.

My first phone was a Nokia 5020i which was a much more advanced phone technology wise than any other.

sollonk.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/hp5.jpg

[bubble_tea]

Which color did you get?

[Applefan1]

The colour I got I think I had a red cover with some writing on it but I also had a black ALL Blacks rugly team cover too. These phones had changeable front face plates way back then.

[kimberleyyy]

My mum gave me an emergency cell phone when I was 8, that phone can only call and text. I had it because I was always in the hospital and sometimes my mum had to go out to get some stuffs so she gave it to me. I got my own phone when I was 13.

[bubble_tea]

Did you get it at 13, because you wanted it?

[kimberleyyy]

No, my mum wanted me to have it.

[Anonymous]

21, almost 22. Seriously, it's a luxury item, not a necessity. And for most people, the phone is enslaving and doesn't actually do them a damn bit of good in their life. I rarely answer my phone. I return calls, I don't take them. Texting is Satan's pastime, which he engages in by temporarily inhabiting someone's body and wasting other people's time. And then there is internet browsing...

[bubble_tea]

Yeah, I just realised I should have written 'over 26' in the second last option and the last option to be 'I don't own a mobile phone'.

[bubble_tea]

I think the smartphone is a luxury item, but not the kinda old mobile phone that you can buy for as little as 10 bucks.

[Opinion Owner]

I understand your point about the old mobile phones. I have intentionally kept an old phone and have not upgraded to a smartphone.

A mobile phone does have its uses, particularly in situations like a stalled car, etc. But barring emergencies, I still return calls rather than take them. I don't believe in letting people have access to my time whenever they choose--that isn't their decision to make. Their call is a request for my time, and I'll give it when or IF I'm willing.

[AleDeEurope]

At 12, but they took it away cause I didn't even use it, but then at 17 is when I got the next phone.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[AleDeEurope]

The first time I wanted it cause my sister got hers at 12 too so I wanted one at 12 too. I know, it's stupid xD
The problem is that when I grew older and had a better social life, I had no phone.

[couldntthinkofaname]

Like 9 and I had this https://www.cellkraze.com/images/nokia%203600.jpg

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or did your parents just give it to you?

[couldntthinkofaname]

I asked for it

[legalboxers]

D and E, when I worked for radio shack, I bought a cell phone, with my own money. I was told to return it (anal father, clueless mother) fast forward a couple years I finally bought a cell phone with my anal father not knowing, he was running late to his dialysis appointment. I pulled out my phone and said "dial". he's like whats this? I said something you said Id get over your dead body, now I can't talk and drive, since you have a big mouth for everything (he was 70, from the old school and refused to bend or whatever) dial the damn number and say your 10 mins out...

[JSmuve]

I was 20. I bought it and paid the bills myself. I see little 8 year olds running around with iphones and I'm thinking "why the fuck does an 8 year old need a cell phone?" But I digress.

[bubble_tea]

I assume they need it for the app games, not porn.

[DodgersGM]

I was 17. Got it as a high school graduation present.

[bubble_tea]

High school graduation present? You were so spoiled!

[bubble_tea]

;) ;)

[linkywinky]

Maybe like 14-15? I don't remember. These aren't things I file away in my brain as important.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you since your brain didn't file it as important?

[linkywinky]

I think I wanted it, but I think my parents also wanted me to have it because I was reaching that age where I wasn't home all the time so they wanted a sure-fire way to get ahold of me.

[menina]

I was 8 when I had my first mobile phone. I know, too early.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want one or was it just given to you?

[menina]

I wanted it.

[Mesonfielde]

12. It was a fairly crappy phone, but I kinda liked it! LG B1200.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[Mesonfielde]

I wanted a phone, and my parents bought what was cheap! It worked fine for a while, too. It had some fancy games too, but I don't really remember it well.

[Piscarian92]

I was in 5th grade and it was those blocky Nokia 6110 with a clear flame phone cover. So old! Haha

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[Piscarian92]

My mom suggested I have one, so yea it was given.

[Pedantic]

I was terrified by the idea that someone could call me no matter where I was. They would wonder why I didn't pick up. I thought of it as an "electronic leash." While I could have had one much younger, I put it off till I was 22. I finally got it after family begged me.

I established a pattern of seldom answering, which continues to this day. :)

Yup, I'm that jerk who never picks up his cellphone.

[coffeprince]

I was 17 and my patents got me the virgin mobile pay as you go.. which was ridiculously expensive. Text message rates were insane lol. But hey I was a sucker for what looked cool :P

[Shaft50]

I didn't want a mobile phone before I was 27... I was happy not to have to worry about calling or being called when I was out. Plus, for an active guy, there are limited places to keep a brick... when I did get one it was a second-hand Nokia 5100

[PLLFan21]

I got my first phone when I was 14. For my 8th grade graduation. 😊

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[PLLFan21]

It was just given to me :)

[Touglyforfemales]

Damn there were a lot of spoiled 11-15 yr olds. When I was
that age I and other kids played with toys and video games.

[bubble_tea]

You don't know if they're spoiled. Maybe it's the only toy they got from their parents and the only 'video games' they get to play are the free app games on their phones.

[Touglyforfemales]

LOL you really believe an 11 yr old needs a cell phone? And yes it is being spoiled
my younger brother had a cell phone around that age he was spoiled. I must of
pissed off 3 spoiled brats ha ha ha.

[Anonymous]

I think I was 10 or 11. And I started begging to have a phone at like 7 or 8

[bubble_tea]

Why did you want one at age 7 or 8?

[Opinion Owner]

I can't remember. I remember really wanting one and my sisters got one. But I've always found cell phones fun, interesting, fascinating or something like that. Maybe that's why I've always been crazy about it

[9mfeo]

I was 15. I only got one after a misunderstanding with the late bus and being picked up at school. Disappearing for several hours can help with getting a cell phone. It was still only an emergency phone though.

[bubble_tea]

Don't give them ideas lol

[9mfeo]

Most kids these days already have cell phones.

[misplaced_downer]

Got mine when I was 16, back in 2007 it was a Samsung flip phone... basic but it kicked ass and it looked cool!!

[crystalt70]

I was 18 and it was in 1999. I got the typical Nokia phone.

[Kinstrome]

18. I don't remember exactly what it was called. A something Razor.

[Anonymous]

I got a samsung when I was 12. I didn't get another one until I turned 17

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[Opinion Owner]

Nah I didn't really use it. My sister got one and my parents thought it was unfair so they just gave me one

[BumbleSuperBee]

At the age of 14. And that's when the rest of the kids should have their new phone. Now be born with it in their mouth.

[bubble_tea]

I suspect many of them didn't even have to beg for it.

[BumbleSuperBee]

Their first phone*
Not* be born..

[BumbleSuperBee]

Yea, exactly.

[Anonymous]

18, before I went to college. I only got it out of necessity.

[genericname85]

i´m not sure if i was 15 or 16 but it was this little fellow
user-cdn.spring.me/.../5354ca251100a454258185.jpg

[sp33d]

Good ol' nokia 5110, back in 2000 :D mobile phones became the latest thing here, back then.

[albundyfan]

16. because i started playing sports and needed to let my parents know when to pick me up.

[Not_Helping]

I think about 20. I had no reason to have one prior.

[Xelebrum]

14 because that's when I started high school

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[Xelebrum]

I wanted a phone, but not the phone that given to me (it was one of those prepaid TracFones)

[performerwannabe]

A bit younger than 7.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[performerwannabe]

I actually needed it. My mom never liked mobile phones so I had to get one to use it when we both needed it. It was an old white nokia but I'm pretty sure it's still working.

[MissNowhere]

I was 7, when I started school.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[MissNowhere]

Mom bought it for me.

[vekin]

I was riding my bicycle and got a flat tyre and the weather changed very badly and hours later I arrived home... my parents had called the police and that day they decided I had to have a mobile... I think I was 13

[Pink2000]

I was 14 basically a few months ago.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[Pink2000]

I wanted it it when I was like 12 and 13 but then I didn't want it anymore. But I got it because I was going to highschool and I'm glad I had it cause my mom forgot to pick me up from school.

[AARON9890]

Think it was around my second year of high school. Was around 13 or 14. It was the god old nokia ;( :L

[Rcjh1987]

I was 16.. I don't remember the phone except it had a camera on it was a flip phone

[Star_Lord]

Modern children, Have a mobile phone in very young age time, I'm older now, I am the past way, So I vote for D, That's my age have a mobile phone !

[lifes_curve_ball]

I was 17 and it was a flip phone. Didn't even work in my own room cause of coverage issue lol

[I_am_repulsive]

I was probably 13 when I got it

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[I_am_repulsive]

Given as a present from my mom

[YazanAA]

I was 12 years old ( 7th grade)

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[YazanAA]

I wanted it

[_Zara_]

I was 12 when I got my first mobile

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[_Zara_]

I wanted one 😊

[atomique]

Age 13 under terrible cir

[atomique]

*Age 13 under terrible circumstances

[atomique]

Now a Dutch family has that phone.

[QueenofSexyFoxes]

What were those circumstances? lol Dutch family.

[atomique]

Mom was growing more unstable. My dad gave us the phone to call from help if she attacks us. Meanwhile Dutch relatives can to visit her. They also see she is growing more unstable. They didn't have a working cell phone while in the US. Thus my siblings and I decided to give them the phone on our weeks with dad in case the worst happens. Long story short shit hit the fan multiple times.

[bubble_tea]

@QueenofSexyFoxes

[QueenofSexyFoxes]

Oh shit. Wait I thought your family was from Nigeria..

[atomique]

The Elder generations are from Nigeria (Gen: X, boomer, Silents). We youngins hail from the Americas, Western Europe and Nigeria. (Gen: late X, Y and Z)

[atomique]

@QueenofSexyFoxes

[QueenofSexyFoxes]

Ohhh I get it.

[douride2]

The only reason I have a cell is for work. Got one about 10-12 years ago.

[jwhit]

I was 17, my dad didn't wanna pay for a cell phone bill so I had to wait until I got a job to pay for it myself.

[Anonymous]

18. Got my license around the same time. It's a flip phone though, but I don't care. It's use is to call home in case I'm out too long or in trouble. Came in handy a few times.

[WilliamWinslow]

I think it was 14, maybe 15. Not sure.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[Kris85]

I was 20. It was the year 2000.

[emerald77]

I was 12 and I bough it myself :D

[Medieval_King]

What is this "mobile phone" thing?

[bubble_tea]

The first mobile phone ever.

[Medieval_King]

@bubble_tea I still know not of what a "mobile phone" is.

[Onyx277]

I was 11.

filler

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[Onyx277]

Kind of both pretty much.

[Anonymous]

I think it was 12 maybe.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[Opinion Owner]

it just given to me.

[Izzex3]

I was about 15.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[Izzex3]

I kind of wanted it, but wasn't expecting it.
Both of my sisters and my friends had one and I wanted one, but forgot that I wanted one.
My parents gave me my first tracfone for Christmas when I was in 10th grade, lol.

[CHARismatic110]

I think I was 15.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want it or was it just given to you?

[CHARismatic110]

I wanted and needed it.

[kitty71]

I was in my 20 maybe 26 or 28

[John_Doesnt]

It was a Virgin Mobile phone.

[A_Blue_Pixie]

When I was even smaller

[HollywoodGlam]

I got my first mobile phone when I was 17.

[Mohamed2015]

Nearly when i was 4

[BaileyisDarcy]

What the hell? Who would give a four year old a mobile phone? And I was pissed off enough about my little brother getting an MP3 when he was seven.

Seriously? Your parents were begging for a kid who knew only the screen on his phone.
Not saying you do, but that's what I think would and could have come out of that.

[Mohamed2015]

You may be surprised about that but last year when I am 16 i buy a hummer
I am from gulf. oil make different
I thought that American are wealthy?

[bubble_tea]

@BaileyisDarcy He forgot to tag you. I agree with you.

[BaileyisDarcy]

I'm in Australia not America.

And it's not about wealth. It's about whether or not the kid in question even knows that being outside is a thing and having friends in real life is a thing.
You aren't going to experience anything with your face stuck to a screen, and giving a four year old a phone is going to result in a kid who knows only what's on the phone and won't give a shit about the outside world.

My little brother has an iPad mini that I really don't think he should have or deserves, but I digress, he has one. My little sister, who is five, now knows how to use it better than I ever will, and she can't even read.
It's disgusting. It is actually disgusting. Yeah she plays outside every now and then, but only because my little brother has taken the mini off her, or hidden it from her.

[Mohamed2015]

I am not speak English well but what I understand that you object the idea of having small children modern technology and that make them away from society and not communicate with people that what I understand
But i will say that there's not any problem of giving mobile phone or another things to children as a reward and that returns to family income. imagine that the less or minimum salary the employees have is 5000kd =17000 dollar that's earned if you just finished preparatory school and if you finish high school you will have9000kd and the both of your parents work and the president al ameer give everyone in country 1000kd=4000 dollar even children in addition every children take 100kd=350dollar from government monthly that's and ration cards give everyone one all thing from rice to meet that's mean that's you do nothing with that's money in your opinion what we do with it and for your information that those technology doesn't make me introvert no i have friends and go out nearly

[Mohamed2015]

Every where and travel to egypt, Europe , uk alone bit what' making me interested those foreign countries maybe they haven't large income but the extravagant they drunk wine , go to bars , get a girlfriend what a horrible I don't know much about australian

[Hiddlescat]

I think I was 13.

[bubble_tea]

Did you want one or was it just given to you?

[Hiddlescat]

It was given to me, but it was an old one, I got it from my sister and she got it from my other sister :d