How Young Is Too Young for a Mobile Phone?

by Fef Posted 2012/07/03 13:00:00

Related Topics: Cell Phones, School, Privacy, Kids, Phones, Mobile phones, Sexting

1,047 votes
Read all 514 opinions
Lightning Report View Results and Demographics + View Demographics

Loading Demographics... Click an icon to see demographic results Display unknown and private
	Younger than 10 years old	429 votes	41%
	Younger than 13 years old	506 votes	48%
	Younger than 18 years old	112 votes	11%

Parents give their kids mobile phones at very young ages. It seems that each year parents lower the minimum acceptable age for a kid to have one. Some parents give mobile phones with limited capabilities to match the child's needs ("Mom, come pick me up!") instead of his or her wants (sexting?).

Michael Arcand wrote an article on Mashable.com to help parents make this decision and find the right phone. Mashable.com reports:If you're thinking about getting your kid a cell phone, first consider school policy, usage, cost and your child's privacy.

thinking kid cell phone school policy usage cost childs privacy

+43

Add a comment above

Gregory Kramida 2012/07/03 13:08:49

Younger than 18 years old

+9
As much as I'd like to be liberal on this issue, for a kid younger than 13 a mobile phone, especially an expensive one, is little more than a fancy toy and a source of distraction. Moreover, it will tend to get lost, broken, borrowed and never returned.

If you have a phone at an early age, it doesn't in any way reflect your level of maturity. How about reading a good book instead?
>> See Replies

More polls by Fef

Karen Jonsson 2012/07/03 00:26:47

Younger than 10 years old

+3
Honestly the answer is not here , I think if the parent gives it to the child then why not? It is not against the law and it is no ones business. I think that people should mind their own business and if they would do that the world would go around much smoothly. So what?! Get your own kid and do what you want with him or her. If someone is beating or hurting a kid in other ways then intervene but a mobile phone? Pick your battles ok? That is why kids do not want to listen to us, We are always micro managing everything.

reply
Opinionated Soul 2012/07/03 00:17:43

Younger than 18 years old

+2
I would not give my child a cellphone before they are at least 15. And before that I would make sure they are doing great at school. Cellphones at that age are not a necessity, they are a luxury.

reply
CheerChick12 2012/07/03 00:09:43

Younger than 10 years old

+1
Sports get really advance after that age

reply
DANNY59 2012/07/03 00:03:14

Younger than 10 years old

+1
I would make it very clear, that this phone is for emergency use only. Cell phones are weakening peoples social skills. I saw a family of four sitting at a table, and they all had their little devices in hand like it was the most important thing on the earth. They weren't even speaking to each other. I wouldn't be surprised if they were texting each other. I've had a cell phone for about six years now, and I haven't had to use it once, and I hope I never do. It's like insurance, it's good to have, but you hope you never need it.

reply
gregaj7 2012/07/02 23:47:49

Younger than 18 years old

+1
Just like I'll have to, they need to buy their own and use it responsibly.

reply
Lord Emperor Kami Guro Bage... 2012/07/02 23:41:25

Younger than 13 years old

+2
I believe a proper age would be 15-16 range

reply
CheerCh... to Lord Em... 2012/07/03 00:10:40

+1
What if you had advance sports

reply
Lord Em... to CheerCh... 2012/07/03 00:18:36
Mel Mar... to CheerCh... 2012/07/03 01:17:37

+1
When were phones needed for sports?

reply
CheerCh... to Mel Mar... 2012/09/16 19:16:19

If your parents have to drop you off

reply
Rubyking 2012/07/02 23:36:32

Younger than 10 years old

+1
lol, before the hands are developed

reply
boss hawg 2012/07/02 23:32:17

Younger than 18 years old

+1
i think 14 would be good.

reply
Huki68 2012/07/02 23:27:48

Younger than 10 years old

I guess

reply
jc 2012/07/02 23:25:28

Younger than 10 years old

+2
Once a child is old enough to walk to school with the other kids or play in the park,they need a cell.This way if there is a problem,they can phone for help.

reply
Gryffindor53 2012/07/02 23:21:14 (edited)

Younger than 10 years old

+1
I got one when I was 12 and it was for emergency use only and I could only use it to call my parents or 911. I was a good kid and did as my parents asked. It was for emergency use only until about midway through high school. There was some stuff going on in my area around that time that my parents felt that it was necessary for me to have a phone that young, just in case. This was also before camera phones though. My first phone wasn't even in color.

That being said, I feel like a lot of the things that young teenagers are doing with phones nowadays are ridiculous.

reply
Tony Cicarella 2012/07/02 23:21:07

Younger than 18 years old

+3
I piced 18 because 16 was not available. Once your son or daughter starts driving I believe is the right age. That way if they get in trouble on the road they can call for help. Plus u can track them down if u need to.

reply
Ann-marie Waters 2012/07/02 23:18:39 (edited)

Younger than 13 years old

+2
A child should only require a mobile when they become more independent and do activities without parental guidance. Purely given for safety reasons and not as a toy!

reply
Ev Rom 2012/07/02 23:16:17

Younger than 13 years old

If they cant work work and pay for it, they are too young.

reply
richard 2012/07/02 23:09:45

Younger than 10 years old

+3
This is a stupid question! The question should be ; "How old should your parents be" : ) lol ____ we need more responsible people to raise our children?

reply
jeffeh 2012/07/02 23:06:55

Younger than 10 years old

Some people care too much in the comments.

reply
tblackb 2012/07/02 23:04:24

Younger than 10 years old

+1
my daughter, who is eleven now, has had a cell phone since she was six. her grandparents bought & pay for it and dad got overruled in the matter

reply
simplex5 2012/07/02 23:02:49

Younger than 13 years old

+1
I feel Most kids under a certain age with a cell phone is trouble...But if they are out runing the streets maybe thin line..Children need more parenting and responsiblity from home and community.

reply
DFA 2012/07/02 23:02:28

Younger than 13 years old

You do not need one until you are driving.

reply
sety7 2012/07/02 23:01:37

Younger than 10 years old

+1
younger than 10 yeah

reply
Kitsune Touhou 2012/07/02 22:57:38

Younger than 10 years old

if they're 9 or something and they're responsible and won't play angry birds at three in the morning I see no problem with getting them a phone. at the end of the day it's all about how responsible they are.

reply
Metaldane 2012/07/02 22:56:38

Younger than 10 years old

+1
Hell I had one at 7 lol your best bet is think to yourself what you or your spouse (whoever your kids acts like the most) would do with a phone as a kid and how your kid acts. I never had any problems because I've always acted mature when it comes to responsibilities and commen sense but I realize most people are idiots when it comes to common sense.

reply
The Infamous Stoner(: 2012/07/02 22:52:32

Younger than 10 years old

I see children younger than ten years-old with cell phones.. it pisses me off, because I am almost eighteen and I didn't receive a phone until I was sixteen. -.-' It's good that they are beginning to give their children cell phones, in some cases, because what if something happened and the child had to get in contact with someone?

reply
sharonjohnson 2012/07/02 22:51:01

Younger than 10 years old

10 years

reply
MarinerFH 2012/07/02 22:49:41 (edited)

Younger than 18 years old

+1
If a younger child had a mobile phone, it should be equipped with a GPS that the parents can readily monitor and the child cannot disable. The parents should be able to see a list of all calls and the contents of all text messages.

This is a good, sensible and meaningful question. Happy to see one like this on SH.

reply
☯ ʂıoвнaп ☮ 2012/07/02 22:49:38

Younger than 10 years old

+1
I believe 8 or 10 is an okay age.

reply
TruBluTopaz 2012/07/02 22:48:59

Younger than 13 years old

+2
But even then it's on a need not want basis. Too many parents are substituting phones for supervision. News to you parents, your kids have ringtones and know when you call and they either set up a lie or ignore you. In addition, they have lots of questionable photos, songs and other internet info hidden on their phones. And, for those that try to ban kids from their phones, kids can text and talk on many mobile devices like the high end IPOD's. BTW, kids can text without looking and phones are VERY DISRUPTIVE in class. Parents have even been known to call kids during class. Do I call you at your office during work?

reply
amazinggrace 2012/07/02 22:47:12

Younger than 18 years old

+1
When they can pay for it, they can have one.

reply
katebelieber 2012/07/02 22:46:43

Younger than 10 years old

+2
my cousin is 8 and she have a mobile phone

reply
C-ZAR™, Emperor of the PHÆT 2012/07/02 22:45:37

Younger than 10 years old

+1
I know an 8 year old with an Galaxy S2, lol

reply