When Should Children Receive a Cell Phone?

by SodaHead Living Posted 2011/10/19 04:11:02

Related Topics: Cell Phones, Kids, Technology, Phones, Smart Phones, Teens, Student, Entertainment, students, Movies, smartphone

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1,720 votes
Read all 359 opinions
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	Young children (12 or under)	428 votes	25%
	Early teens (13-15)	930 votes	54%
	Late teens (16 or older)	362 votes	21%

As we become more and more enthralled in a new digital era, it gets increasingly difficult to make appropriate decisions when it comes to kids and their involvement in the cutting-edge industry. But we've got to wonder: what is the most appropriate age for a child to get his or her first piece of high tech goodness?

Hey, kids are people too, and they deserve to experience the wonderful world of technology (we're not just talking Angry Birds, guys.) But with all these "app-cessories" and digitally enhanced toys coming out, it looks like the industry is making a real push for tech-literate toddlers and elementary students, forcing parents to decide how they will introduce their children to it.

Safety and convenience is a huge issue. We know tons of parents who grant their kids the luxury of a cell phone -- and sometimes, even a smartphone -- just because they want to be able to get a hold of their kids as quickly as possible. So, we totally get it. However, giving children access to a phone or the Internet could open them up to a world of dangers.

It's a tough choice with no right or wrong answer, but every parent from here on out will have to make it.

Please participate in this three-question survey.

+21

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Rick Mehlenbacher 2011/10/19 16:46:44

Young children (12 or under)

+7
I gave my daughter one when she was in 3rd grade, and glad we did.. we were able to keep track of her every move.. Even now I have tracker on every phone so I can pull up a map and see where you are at any time I feel free.. and no i'm not intruding.. I pay the bill... and my wife and daughter know it's for their safety in this day and age with every wacko allowed to run loose while all the big pot heads spend time in jail.. child killers and rapist are rarely caught till there has been many victims... well Piggies.. stop busting the stupid pot heads and start putting people out there on the street and in high crime areas to see whats going o and catch some of these freaks !!!
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More polls by SodaHead Living

Joseph Ba Sha 2012/06/29 15:46:33

Late teens (16 or older)

at this age let the kids have fun with their life till they understand relationship however it depends on the kid

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arbie.lawan 2012/03/29 13:54:54

Late teens (16 or older)

it depends!

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caitlinbaby 2012/01/27 02:57:19

Early teens (13-15)

i actually got my phone for my 13th birthday and it is sersioly my lifeline!! i cannot go anywhere with out it or i would die!!! no kidding. i have it with me at all tiems, even at school it is in my pocket. i have holes in one of my pairs of pants from my phone being in their so much!!(:

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sapphire_love_life 2011/12/29 07:29:24

Early teens (13-15)

+1
honestly, (with the cellphones) I think it depends because there are reasons why a child younger than 12 may need a cellphone

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evceleb 2011/12/18 22:01:00

Early teens (13-15)

got my first one in 6th grade.

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aliycat 2011/11/22 21:46:37

Early teens (13-15)

+1
I'm sorry but what will someone under the age of 13 use their phone for?? I understand in high school and college because of the jobs and the places you go. But when I see like,a 9 year old girl with a pink cell,I'm like what are her parents thinking?

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stevegt... to aliycat 2011/12/17 22:14:06 (edited)

With the samsung Jitterbug security phone with 3 buttons..... maybe after they learn how to put blocks in the right holes, or press buttons, or whats the name of the cool barn toy they use to have? security. security, absolutely. Samsung Jitterbug phone.

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valerie.d.harvey1 2011/11/18 06:57:34

Early teens (13-15)

+1
I think that is the best age group if they are mature and responsible enough to be trusted with a cell phone. In some cases it may be necessary for children to have a phone. My granddaughter has one and she just turned 11 because she goes to school by herself and our neighborhood is not so safe.

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KathleenEmily 2011/11/07 03:13:35

Early teens (13-15)

+1
Helps keep track of 'em.

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Ali Husnain 2011/10/27 13:19:09

Young children (12 or under)

+1
hlo

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Malachi 2011/10/25 21:17:01

Late teens (16 or older)

+1
Personally when they can afford it and sign the contract themselves

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Maiko 2011/10/25 19:41:50

Early teens (13-15)

+1
With increase in crime as well as a decrease in public phones being available nowadays, I think a child should have a cell phone. It also depends on the lifestyle of the child and their family. If both parents work, I believe that the child should have a cell phone as well. All in all, it's really not outr business what parents choose to have or not have for their children. Yes, cell phones can potentially be dangerous in more ways than one. However it is the duty of the parents to educate their children of these possible, very serious dangers. Parents also have the option of using parental controls as well as block certain usages of the phone.

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Ms.Scorpio 2011/10/25 15:40:55

Early teens (13-15)

+1
My daughter is ten and wants a phone. I don't think she is ready for one yet. She can barely keep up with her MP3 player, so when she shows more responsibility then I will be willing to get her a cellphone.

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carsten.braatz 2011/10/24 12:01:47

Late teens (16 or older)

+3
I'm 36 and I have a cellphone that usually goes flat cause I never really use it. Even if facebook users and twitter fans can't believe it but it is more fun to talk to people in reality and instead of calling far away places find what you want in your own area.

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JustMe 2011/10/24 07:41:15

Early teens (13-15)

+3
I'd say around 12 or 13 depending on maturity, and when they understand its not a toy

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jerry.alan.carroll 2011/10/24 03:47:34

Young children (12 or under)

+1
In japan, children walk a considerable farther way to school than in the US. also, they are phones here that ave safety and security features that are a must to help keep predators a bay. my kids...both under 12...have those kinds of cell phones that have VERY loud alarms when pulled and also have GPS even when the phone is turned off.

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Jessica Lynn 2011/10/22 20:04:14

Late teens (16 or older)

+2
They really don't need it until they are an adult. Kids should be kept indoors and out of the public eye.

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arya0axort to Jessica... 2011/10/22 22:35:48

+1
hahaha

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Pamu 2011/10/22 18:03:29

Late teens (16 or older)

+2
I strongly feel after the schooling is completed.

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stevegt... to Pamu 2011/12/17 22:15:41

+1
after schooling is completed, you mean like no cell phones for young adults until after college?

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Lyndzz 2011/10/22 15:08:03

Early teens (13-15)

+1
I need my phone when I'm out. If I dont realise the time or need to go home early because its raining etc then my phone is the handiest thing to have. And if anything bad happens you can just pull out your phone and give someone a call. I think it stops my mum worrying about me too. I mean, she can just phone me if she's worried about me. I got my phone when I was twelve, that was when we stopped just playing in each others houses and started just going out down the street and stuff.

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Reikyrr 2011/10/22 14:16:38 (edited)

Young children (12 or under)

+1
I had my first phone when I was 7, never really used it but I always had it on me when I went somewhere, where, in case of trouble I could call my parents. The phone was prepaid and I had to pay for the charges from my pocket money. However I never went over the 10 money that was on it. (so I used the phone in total to call for like an hour total) Usually my parents would call me when I was on vacation at my grandparents house.

Sometimes my aunts or uncles would send me text messages, since I didn't have internet back then.

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Andrew 2011/10/22 06:34:41

Early teens (13-15)

+1
this is a good age range.

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Lynn 2011/10/22 04:28:44

Early teens (13-15)

+2
Not until they are old enough to be out on their own unsupervised and might need a way to contact you in an emergency.

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onefiftythree 2011/10/21 23:55:54

Early teens (13-15)

+1
I had my first phone when I was 11 and I had to hand it into the principal's office every morning for safekeeping. My mum wanted me to phone her everyday afterschool on the school bus ride home to tell her that I was ok and heading home lol. Got rid of it in grade 7 and didn't get one again until I reached high school.

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♥K14 2011/10/21 15:53:00

Young children (12 or under)

+1
Whenever they want one...

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Dax 2011/10/21 15:48:27

Early teens (13-15)

+2
I say early teens, or whenever they begin to become more independant, hanging out with friends.. It can keep them safe.
No earlier, though, as I don't see the need for it when they are still very much "nestlings".

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cestmon... to Dax 2011/10/21 20:40:52

+1
I agree. Kids have greater mobility at 12, 13 and beyond so I would want a phone for my kid I don't have yet. My nieces and nephews have phones they are mid and late teens. My brother gave his youngest son (9) a phone and he lost it.

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Terra Lee 2011/10/21 15:42:13

Late teens (16 or older)

+1
If you really wanna give cellphone to your young childrens, make sure you can handle them well, know your child well. give them explanations of what to do and what not to do with their fone. Even better if you can schedule the time of the usage. For me its not that necessarily to give them the flexibility at young age even if you can afford it.

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Deirdra 2011/10/21 15:08:04

Late teens (16 or older)

+2
My opinion would change depending on the phone. Just a regular phone you can't keep track of anything should only be given to 16 or even older. Early teens are still the number one demographic that are sexting and things and they can't understand the consequences of their actions. Only a phone that the parent can access for all of it's information like calls and texts should be given.

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~*PaRtY pOiSoN*~ SING ~ 2011/10/21 14:29:11

Early teens (13-15)

+2
I was given a cell phone when I was 12 for having good grades. It helped me keep in contact with my parents and also with my friends. Over all, my cell phone actually helped me mature. That's one of the reasons I hate seeing little kids (11 and younger) with cell phones because it makes them try to act like they're older then they are; it helps them mature TOO quickly. If you give your little kid a cell phone, give them one with a no texting/internet plan. Callling parents and friends is fine, but being exposed to sexual and sometimes disturbing things before they should is never a good thing. And yes parents, it will happen. Whether your youngster or teenager tells you about it is completely up to them.

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stevegt... to ~*PaRtY... 2011/12/17 22:19:07 (edited)

+1
yeah.... i was at the breakfast table a week or two ago and a guy passed a phone to me that had half clad women..... it happens in todays society. another guy showed me his laptop, and another guy had chicks in his phone. I never kept nudie pics of women in my phone...... i think in todays society, it is important for people to have relationships that are real so that people dont get quite so caught up in all the fantasy.......but, understandably it is an individual thing, and i dont think people can stop what others are putting in their phones and laptops.

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MikeOrtiz 2011/10/21 14:26:22

Late teens (16 or older)

+3
How about, when they can afford one?

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BobJessen 2011/10/21 14:14:07

Late teens (16 or older)

+2
Or Never...

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steph.cox 2011/10/21 13:09:27

Early teens (13-15)

+1
they shouldnt be out alone before 13 anyway. parental supervision should always have a phone

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myhouseinthewoods 2011/10/21 11:35:31

Early teens (13-15)

+1
no age limit, i say when they are mature enough to have one, and no tracking devices, we cant let the gov track kids

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Stacie 2011/10/21 11:10:27

Late teens (16 or older)

+3
When they are old enough to take care of, and help pay for, it.

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janet 2011/10/21 06:32:18 (edited)

Young children (12 or under)

+1
All children should learn how to use the phone at an early age. Learning their phone number and street address is a must in this day and age.
My kids had phones in their bedroom, today my grandson age three has his own cell phone. He calls his grandma whenever he wants to talk to me and I completely Love it. It really doesn't cost that much to add an extra line to your cell phone service these days.

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Pin Head 2011/10/21 06:02:12

Late teens (16 or older)

+2
As soon as their asses learn how to pay the phone bill

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~HopelessRomanticM17~ 2011/10/21 05:01:10

Early teens (13-15)

+1
Anytime below that is ridiculous and weird

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