What age would you get your child a cell phone? My husband and I are having a disagreement about this.
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My oldest was 13 and a few months when we got him one. It was a big decision, and looking back, I’m glad we didn’t any earlier
My son got one for his 8th birthday. I think it just depends on if the parents think their kid is responsible enough to have enough
My kids have a shared cell (7&9) only for use when we are not with them (friends house, etc). Otherwise we have it as a “land line” in case of emergency. Basic iPhone (so we can track it) all apps removed
My son got his at 10 yrs old he had after school things and I needed to be able to get ahold of him.
We don’t have a house phone. We just got a “counter” phone. I got a prepaid cell phone so when they go with a friend or family member we can get in touch with them. Husband and i both work 12 hour shifts
My daughter just got one this year. She’s 6 but takes the bus from school to daycare so it’s more of incase of emergency & she has chores she has to do to keep it. Works great for us
My son is 8 with a phone. It does have restricted access. I have to approve anything before it is downloaded. The only reason we allowed him to have one is because he stays with my mother in law a good bit and if there was an emergency he’d have access to us and emergency services.
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My 10 year old has a Gabb watch. A phone, maybe 12+
I set up one of my old phones for my step son when he got to Jr high ( so 12 years old). Since he was walking to and from school. But the deal was he had to keep up his grades and actually attend school, if attendance or grades started slipping (or fighting) it was taken away and he would begin paying for it.
My daughter is 8 and I plan to allow a phone around 10-11. I have just started her on kids messenger on her tablet at home where i can supervise and teach her some rights and wrong before allowing a phone in a few years. It should be based on child’s maturity, not age.
My kids (9 and 12) have each had a phone for over a year. For myself, I love that I am able to talk to them without going through their dad on his weeks with them. However, other than that, I regret every other single part. I would have preferred that they have them at a much older age.
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Ive alqays been no cell phones until kids are at least double digits. But all the school chaos going on has me and my husband talking about getting an emergency phone for our daughter who will be attending kindergarten next year. Im stuck between a rock and a hard place about making a decision as well
My kiddo has had one since she was 4 years old since she went to my moms so much because of how much I worked. That way I could always call her and talk to her any time I wanted to
My oldest was 12 and my youngest 10. They didn’t call or text really.
Now my 10yr old is 12 and plays a lot of sports where she travels and it has been so convenient for her to let me know when to get her
My son turned 12 in December, 4 days after Christmas. He is home schooled but he is a Boy Scout. We got him his home for his 12th birthday as a way of communicating with us when he goes on hikes, campouts, etc. that I can not attend. I have parental controls so he can only call certain numbers on his phone and only certain people can call him. Definitely a peace of mind for me.
Depends on why they need a phone, situation, circumstances. My son got a phone as soon as he could use one. Split custody… I think that children should be allowed to contact a parent anytime they feel they need to…
My son got one for his 10th b-day but he isn’t allowed to have any social media. We only got it for safety reasons. Its on vibrate while at school and is to remain in his backpack unless he needs to reach me or his dad.
We’ve talked about a flip phone to start. The older kids have them but he is active military so contact with the kids is by phone and text. The youngest is 5 and probably won’t have one till she need it for safety reasons.
I would say ten but no internet on the phone. Strictly for calls only and gps tracking on it
I got my granddaughter a plain cell phone at 10. She was into sports and several times practice was cut short. She was left at the food shack until I got there . So it was a must . She only was allowed to have it for sports only .
This is a topic that has a lot of controversy, but this is the way I see it. The world is very different since when I was a kid you hear about all the school shootings now all the bullying, etc. I’d rather be safe than sorry. I got my son his phone when he was eight and I don’t regret it one bit.
Mine had a phone at 3 but the one you can only call who we put in it… but its cause we both worked alot and her dad outta town so he’d call her to say goodnight and stuff…
I wanted to wait until 13. My daughter ended up getting one for her 11th bday. Some days I wish we had waited. Other days, I’m glad she has one because she is always on the go and it’s nice to be able to check in on her whenever I want/need. I do recommend limits and rules when it comes to a cell phone.
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The only reason mine got cell phones this past year (they are 11 & 14) is for safety reasons since they are both in after school activities and they walk home from school. However, you are the parent so it’s ultimately your choice on what you feel is appropriate for your child.
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Mine got 1 at 8 but there’s no internet end only numbers in there for an emergency mine my husbands my best friends snd his grandpas it’s sn old iPhone 6 n for emergencies only
My oldest just got one at 13, my middle is so irresponsible be may not till be can buy him himself 
…I’ve seen what young kids with devices can do and it’s not pretty…
We got our son one in 6th grade to prepare for him going to middle school.
Parenting in a Tech World is a great group with many resources if this is something you’re really thinking about !
My daughter got one at ten because she was attending camp an hour from and we wanted to be able to keep in touch. She also spent a few nights a week with another family.
My son didn’t get a phone until he was much older because he was typically with my daughter. And, the time he was ten, WiFi was more available. He just used a tablet.
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My daughter isn’t getting one until junior high and only if her grades stay up
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Ours are still too young (oldest is 8) but our current plan is to only give a basic flip phone or something for them to call us/ us to contact them when needed whenever they start doing extracurriculars or anything where they are away from us regularly outside of school. Other than that if they want a smart phone they will be responsible for getting it themselves when they are old enough to work. We’re trying to keep them off social media for as long as possible
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Mine were 12 and had to have good grades and keep them.They were put on a minutes plan, once used up had to wait til following month
I gave my granddaughter one but it only works with wifi for now then that leaves my phone off limits …but it teaches responsibility either she has to change it and not break it or she won’t get one later on I can also only aloud games appropriately for her
My oldest was 9. He’s 23 so cell phones weren’t that big then. His first phone was just a phone. Many were mad & tried to influence me. But as a single mom, no landline I felt it was important for him to be able to communicate & call for help if needed.
My now 10 & 12 yos we’re 5&7 when they got their first smart phones. They were basically mini tablets with text now for calling. They both got their first phones with service this year (10 & 11). I got them because they walk to school. I want them to have contact with me.
In short when YOU as their parent feels they need it. Don’t let anyone put stupid rules on you like “when they start middle/high school”, “when they have a job & pay for it themselves”, “when they’re in sports”, “I didn’t have a cell phone when I was their age so they shouldn’t either” or any other excuses.
My son is 9 years old and has a phone but he knows his homework comes first and he knows bed time is 8 o clock
Never. Kids don’t need phones.
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10 for our oldest because he start3d middle school
My girl is 12 and has had one since she was 11 due to her walking to and from school, going to friends houses etc
Middle school, 6th grade. My kids are in elementary now and have a kids watch that can only call approved contacts and I can track via gps. With the way the world is, I need to know they are safe and where they are. Middle school they will have a kids cell phone with parental controls and gps too.
Kids don’t “need” a cell phone.
12 and older. A phone at 6 and under is just ridiculous
My grandson has one and he is 7 and can only call and text family members.
Depends on a lot of factors but I personally don’t until 14 at the very earliest and no social media .
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My daughter got hers for her 10th birthday for a few reasons. She occasionally walks home from school with other kids, 3/4 mile in the city and crossing a very busy road. None of our family lives close so that is also her main way of seeing/talking to her nana and cousins. She also has after school activities that require her to ride a bus frequently on the weekends and I like being able to see her exact location. For sleepovers so she can contact me anytime for anything. I think there really isn’t a specific age, it’s more about the maturity of the child and depends on the lifestyle/needs of the family
I gave my kids a prepaid phone without Internet/social media to have in my absence (sleepovers, sports, movies etc) & it was returned when they got home each time. If they wanted a real phone, they had to wait until they were old enough to get a job & pay their own phone bill.
They got them when we were able to afford them. My youngest was 7 at the time. She’s 12 now,haven’t had any issues.
Your CHILD doesn’t need a phone. Who’s he gonna call? Elmo?
My child isn’t getting a phone til there’s a reason. Or he gets his own job to pay for it.
12-13 when their legally allowed to stay home alone. Possibly a phone than. But no interest in getting my child a cell phone at all.
When they’re old enough to buy it themselves and pay for it
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Kids having cell phones have gotten way out of control. At first it was for protection now it’s for anything but that. As for as age if they can pay for it then they can have one.