Just over a week ago now we got our oldest Jordan, an iPhone. He had been asking for MONTHS if he could get one to be able to go out to his friends house and be able to call me, call me if there's an issue at school and just to be able to chat with his friends. We thought about it for months, and decided to just go ahead and do it.
We got him a 4S, 8g which is all that they said they sell anymore. It was $0 - turns out 8g sucks because he can't have very many photos saved at a time, like less than 20 but, it is what it is. It's a great starter phone. Which is hilarious to say, an iPhone as a starter phone because this was my starter phone...
Hilarious, right? It had soft gel cases an orange, blue and another colour I can't remember... It did the job and I was super excited about it.
Well he's done really great with his phone. He has unlimited calling and text, what more could anyone want? I don't even have unlimited calling! He's also stayed mostly on wifi. I've been watching the usage. BUT - - I've gotten some pretty snotty looks when we've been out and about, and I overheard someone saying "isn't he a bit young?" to which I scratched my head because is he?? I thought it was up to the parents!
Is there an acceptable age to get your child a cell phone? He doesn't use it often, at school it's in his backpack in his locker. He uses it on the bus, and when out at friends houses he has it in his pocket its more of an emergency line than a play thing. I monitor all he does, on a phone or computer anyways, so it's not like he can do much... I just wasn't aware there were age limits. He's more mature than most kids his age (11 in September) extremely responsible, so I'm not sure why anyone cares.
I'm comfortable with our choice, as is my husband, and of course Jordan is more than comfortable with it.... So that really is all that matters, But my question to you all is - IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT FOR A CELL PHONE? What is your opinion?
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To be honest it is up to the parents on what age they feel their child is ready for the responsibility,I do not think there is a right or wrong age.My oldest is around the same age and she has a phone and she is as good as gold with it.She has had it actually for the last year.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is 8. Her friend L has an iPhone 5s.... and really, she is too young. BUT... her parents were in a messy messy divorce and dad isn't civil to mom -- there's often a lapse in communication and L needs to be able to reach someone to pick her up, etc. Just because someone's young doesn't mean they shouldn't have one. My 8 year old won't be getting one until she's 87 at the rate she's going with her naughty ness... (But for real- you can't always FIND a pay phone if something happens, so it's kind of become more necessary just in case of emergency!)
DeleteBret - that is exactly why my girls got phones when they were young! Granted they weren't smart phones, but I think they were just coming out right about then.
DeleteMy girls Dad was a drunk, and if he drank when they were there they'd call me to pick them up! I'd rather them be safe! Always able to reach someone in an emergency!
Love that the iphone is a starter phone :) I just got a smart phone!
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty common place around here it seems that kids get cell phones when they go into middle school (6th grade). My kids will be getting starter phones (NOT smartphones) when it's time.
ReplyDeleteI never really thought about it because my kids are still young - but if you feel like your child is responsible enough for a phone then why not!
ReplyDeleteFor sure when a child can drive, but I would say when they start a lot of after school or extra curricular activities and they may need to reach you.
ReplyDeleteParents have to decide about maturity factors, responsibility and trust. Then they can make the right decision!
ReplyDeleteI'd say it's totally up to the parents and the kid. I'm not sure there is one right age for anybody/anything. I'm glad it's going well with him. I didn't get my first phone until college and it was only for emergencies!
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree that it's up to the parents and the child to decide on the right age for a cell phone. I had my first phone when I started driving (in college.) That was a much different generation, though.
ReplyDeleteI agree. It is up to the parents. We have agreed at our house that they can not have one until they are atleast 13. I feel at 13 they will start to have more of a social life and want some independence. Even then there will be strict rules. They will have to give it to me at bedtime every night. I am not sure if I will get them a smart phone or not. Again this is just what my family has decided. Every family's situation is different. I don't know your son but if you feel he is ready then that is great! No-one has a right to judge.
ReplyDeleteI agree it's up to the parent. And phooey to what anyone else says.
ReplyDeleteI think a parent knows best and can know ways to keep them safe .
ReplyDeleteHow old is he?
ReplyDeleteI used to think that I wouldn't let my kids have a cell phone until they were in high school. But there have been occasions when I really wished my 9y/o had one- like for running practice afterschool, which ends at random times and I'd wish he could just call and let me know he was done and I could drive the whole 60 seconds it takes to get to the school instead of sitting in the parking lot waiting for an extra 20 minutes because practice ran late.
I think my nephew got a cell phone when he was 12? Maybe 11. In my head, he is still in second grade. He has a tracfone so he has to control his minutes and if he goes over then he is done.
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny because I didn't have a cell phone until I was 18 and my husband didnt have one until he was 25 (he is older). Nowadays things are different. I kind of wish kids had them earlier so we can find them and keep up with where they are!
ReplyDeleteI really think it just depends on the lifestyle of the family. If you're a busy family, it makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a completely individual decision. There certainly is no one answer suitable for everyone!
ReplyDeleteI am thinking about 13 but things could change in the next 6 years and he may need something sooner. Times are a changing!
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is one certain age limit for a cell phone. I think it depends on the maturity and responsibility of the child.
ReplyDeleteI think it varies from child to child. It also depends on the situation.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the kids and the circumstances.
ReplyDeleteWhen my sons were young, cell phones were really just starting to be used. I did get my youngest a cell phone when he was in 9th grade because they took the phone booths out of the high school and there was no way for him to call home after sport was over with in the late afternoon to tell me to come and pick him up. Now days, I would get my kids phones when they entered middle school.
ReplyDeleteMy starter phone plugged into the lighter outlet in my car... so there's that. I don't know what the age should be for a phone. I think it depends on the kids and the family. Totally an individual thing.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have kids, bit our 7 and 9 year old niece and nephew have been trying to talk us into getting them phones. We opted for ipads instead and are making them practice using email and responsible Internet practices before moving on to phones.
ReplyDeleteI've seen them get younger and younger. I mean 6-7?? Insane!
ReplyDeleteUm, I think your starter phone looks fancy compared to mine. :) I think 12 is a good age for a first phone and then very limited!
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling the people judging you have younger kids - lol. My kids had 'basic' (like calls only) phones when they were younger like 7 because they would go stay with their Dad and I wanted them to be able to ALWAYS get a hold of me (without asking him to use a phone).
ReplyDeleteI just upgraded my daughter to an iPhone from her basic, and she's 12. We make a rule that she's not allowed to be on it on all the time, and we use a service called Covenant Eyes so that things that she shouldn't see don't pop up (even if it's accidental - um btw I hate Tumblr and YouTube!)
Parents need to stop judging - they have no idea your situation and I tell people to kiss it all the time =)
OH ALSO - I noticed this past weekend that our local amusement park no longer has pay phones!! Kids get dropped off all the time (granted they are usually 12 and up) but if something happens, they should be able to reach someone!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure yet when we will get our oldest a cell phone. I don't think my child will need one for a while though. I work at home and I pick her up from school. My child really doesn't need a phone until she start driving. Maybe 16 would be a good age, but we will see.
ReplyDeleteI personally think you should at least be a teen for your own phone.My oldest is 8 and does not have a phone.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the family situation. I feel better knowing that my 12 year old can text me to let me know he got off the bus fine everyday and he made it home safely
ReplyDeleteI haven't really thought about it for my own kids since they are so young. I would try to hold off as long as possible -- because once they start they'll never stop!
ReplyDeleteI think it is very responsible for parents to get their child a cell phone, especially if the child is visiting with friends or family or participates in extracurricular activities. There shouldn't be an age limit - and parents know their children best!
ReplyDeleteIt really depends on the kid. My son is eleven, and he does have a phone. He is also...by far...the most responsible of my kids.
ReplyDeleteIt depends on the child. My oldest received his phone at 11.5 when he started wiht travel baseball and we were dropping him off there at times. He needed to get a hold of us
ReplyDeleteI think the age limit for a cell phone should be when they are old enough to work! I dont even own a cell phone and certainly do not want to pay for all three of my kids to get a phone!
ReplyDeleteLike others have said, it just depends on the family and the circumstances. We got our daughter one when she turned 12 because she was in after school sports and I wanted her to be able to call home if she needed picked up early or was staying late.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter got a phone around age 9. A lot of people say that was too young, but I think it depends on the child. We had no problems with her having a phone when she was young. Now that she is 17 though, she stays on it way too much, lol.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends on the child. If you have kids that are all involved in sports, then it may be better younger if you aren't going to be able to stay at each practice.
ReplyDeleteMy son is ten, he's had a cell phone for almost two years. But he has a very cheap old model because I know him and I know that he couldn't take care of a more expensive one.
ReplyDeleteMy son did not get a cell phone until his sophomore year in high school. I'm not sure if it is a good idea for young kids to have cell phones. I think they need to understand responsibility first.
ReplyDeleteTo be honest I think it depends on the maturity of the child and how comfortable the parent is. Sometimes giving a younger child a phone with GPS tracking in a great idea. If anything ever happens to them you can find the last place the phone was! And you can always put parental controls on the phone.
ReplyDeleteMy 11 year old has a phone but only an unsmart phone for use when he's in the neighborhood. My 16 year old got a smartphone when he could pay for it.
ReplyDeleteMy sons received cell phones when they began traveling to school on their own - 10 and 12 respectively. It was more of a safety issue for me. However, I made sure to limit the time they spent on it when home or with friends. It really is a personal decision, based on family dynamics.
ReplyDeleteI had the exact same phone when I was 13. It was the bright orange jell case, I was so cool. We plan on getting Jayde her own cell phone in a few years when she is around 10-11.
ReplyDeleteI had that phone too! But it wasn't my first phone, haha. I think mine was silver? Or it had a silver case. I don't remember.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about age for a cell phone yet. We haven't discussed it, but it'll be between us.. and I don't care what other people think :P I had one pretty young too.
Boba + Pearls
I think its up to the parents. My kids share a phone its just a basic phone. They want a smartphone but The Husband and I don't think they are ready for one. So if you and your husband think he is ready for one who cares what others think.
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