There is no "too young" if parents consider the child's past behavior and continuing responsibility in an effort to gain and maintain privileges. This assumes, of course, that parents are similarly motivated to make expectations clear, and monitor usage, and to revoke privileges as needed. Cost also has to be considered; I get the impression that some parents put cell phones before stuff like decent food and a warm, tidy house.

I have a two year old nephew that gets entertained by one.

I let my twins take my phone with them when they walk to the Speedway or go play at the school. They are only 10 and I want to give them some freedom to show they can be responsible and I like that they call and check in with me. I would not, however, give them their own phone at this age. I have a dumb phone, so there is also no way I need to be giving a smart phone to my kid.

I see so many grade school and middle school kids walking around at malls, in stores, and from school texting and checking stuff on these new phones that I think that parents should wait until high school to get them a smart phone. Depends on the child, and their level of responsibility, but just not something that is really all that necessary, unless they are out doing errands or have need of communicating with adults. Hardly any pay phones around any more, so some kind of cell phone is a necessity nowadays. But what's the matter with a basic 3G phone with no Internet or texting(like my little Samsung, works just fine, thank you)? Most of this texting is silly small talk, has no relevance to anything.

I have a 14 yr old Grandaughter that I pick up from High School sometimes. She gets into the car and says "Hi Grandma". Those are the only words I hear through our trip home because she is texting. I don't know very much about her friends or how things are going in school. I ask her to stop texting and talk with me. That only lasts a short time, then she say's, "Oh, I have to take this".
I also have a 12 year old Grandaughter that I pick up sometimes. She doesn't have a cell phone. We chat with each other all the way home. I know what sort of friends she has and I know what activities she likes at school. We also talk about things that trouble her and I try to help in any way that I can.
I prefer they have phones that are for emergency use and no texting. I see the kids loosing thier personal communication skills.

here is the quandry for parents:
young kids need a way to call in cases of emergency/young kids do not need to be texting their life away.
Young kids need to able to show responsibility without a parent needing to worry endlessly if some weirdo is out prowling for a victim/kids do not need to be oblivious of their surroundings by playing with a phone
Young kids need to pay attention to things around them since it shows responsibility and need a way to get in touch with someone if something is amiss/kids do not need to be texting their friends random thoughts that can lead to hurt feelings, bullying or God knows what else.
In our sick society, filled with mentally unstable people, child predators and those who engage in human trafficking, it's a tough battle for a parent to deal with and do the right thing in. Personally, none of my kids had cell phones until they were 16 or older and even that was so they could call me if they missed the bus at school or if they were sick. It has had it's downsides though since the texting still occurs and kids are over-socialized in my opinion to unhealthy levels. All that AND the fact that a lot of the previous commenters are right - there is no real communication going on anymore and it is directly linked to these products. :/

A simple cell phone that doesn't take pictures is all a kid needs IF they can show responsibility. Our kids have cell phones and they work just fine when away from home with friends or at other activities. Yes, they beg for the smart phones with all the bells and whistles their friends have, which is pure luxury. All the problems created by whatever cell phone a child has rests solely on the parent as a legal adult needs to sign the contract. Once your child turns 18, make it their financial burden if they think they need more. I am old fashioned and think that cell phones should be banned from all kids (under 18) in schools but that is just my opinion, like it or not.

In my home, I have a landline and a cell phone. If my children go somewhere, I give them the cell phone to call when they need to be picked up, etc. However, I see such stupid cell phone usage even among adults. Technology was supposed to enhance our lives-not replace common sense and being prepared. Unfortunately with the loss of pay phones, we've given the cell phone companies a great market. As a previous person commented, these kids are all texting.....useless conversations with abbreviated language. I told my son to call his friend, and he told me no one talks anymore, we only text. It seems to me that a lot of parents have more money than parenting skills........and as for age, any child that is not old enough or responsible enough to be home alone, shouldn't be carrying a cell phone-if a call needs to be made, he/she should be around a responsible adult who can make any decisions/contacts necessary.

I've noticed that the child using a cell phone while walking or riding a bike is a danger to himself and others. The child walking doesn't pay attention to crosswalks and can walk in front of cars. I had a child on a bicycle, who was riding without hands using his cell phone, suddenly pull out from the sidewalk into the street and almost hit my car. It is great that a child can have a cell phone to contact parents and for security, but we need to ban them on bicycles just as we should ban use while driving a car. Further, cell phones don't belong at school. Too often cell phones can be concealed so that students can text and even cheat during school. Parents need to establish careful guidelines that their child can follow to use a cell phone responsibly.

Wow. It's like troglodyte central in here. Not that I entirely disagree, there are limits some people don't adhear too, but we have to keep in mind that kids are kids and if given an inch they will take a mile. It's part of the learning process of adolescence, and it's how they learn about the world around them. The plan shouldn't be to keep technology away from them, to keep texting or cameras away either. The plan should be to teach the kids to responibly use the technology. They are going to live with it regardless of what our generation says about it. We need to end this myth that we can protect them through ignorance. Has that ever worked well for anyone? I can tell you my kids will learn to use it responsibly as soon as they express any real interest. They already use iPads and iPods, and use our phones to call grandparents on their own. It won't be long until I will need a way to keep in touch when they are with friends outside of my sight or shouting range.

Our son has had his on phone since he was 6 because we don't have a home phone and my husband and I wanted to make sure he had a phone available for emergencies. We don't always keep our phones in the same place, so his is on the charger in case he needs to call for help. He's 9 now and uses it to call friends, but there's not texting or internet access. Conversations usually last 2 minutes (Are you home and can you come over?) and I'm glad he's familiar with cell phones so he can use them if he needs to. Our 6 year old is getting practice on his brother's phone - they'll share that one until they're much older.

Unfortunately, it's not just teens who spend a lot of time texting and ignoring people around them - I know a lot of adults who do the same thing.

@Bob M.

This "trog" thanks you for post. Without posting for them, I think that is exactly what the other "trogs" are trying to point out.

There are, as we all know, Pay As You Go phones....these phones satisfy the "need to call in case of an emergency" situations. Smart phones aren't necessary to satisfy that need.

Some great comments - I especially agree with Judy and Sandy. My step daughter is 12 and has an iPhone. This is NOT the decision I would have made or will make with my biological child (who is now 8). And I don't like it for several reasons.

I do not think kids NEED a cell phone until they are 15-16. When they start driving or going places with friends who drive. Under 15 they really should always be somewhere with a phone. I can see letting them use one at a fair or an event if you separate or if they go on a walk or something. But for them to have and use as they please...no. UNLESS they completely pay for it themselves. And in that case I would still have a problem with texting and bringing them to class. But I am a very cautious parent. Probably more so than many. I don't think 13 year old should be allowed on Facebook either - but most parents think that is okay. I would rather be safe than sorry.

This all being said...I have lost several of my parental declarations in the past. I always said no TV in the bedrooms...now they both have one. I said no to video games...eventually gave in and got a Wii. BUT there are rules that go with both of these. I have to feel like I still have a little control ;)

I would like to know what teachers think about kids having cell phones in the classrooms.

I think when it comes to a cell phone for a young child is not appropriate, but for older ones that are into many interests, it might be more appropriate for them to have one, there are far and few payphones to use, if they need to call for a ride, my son is 14 and is in basketball, he has a prepaid cell, not a fancy one, no camera, and he has to watch his units, only gets so many for the month, that limits him as to who he wants to talk to, because he has to leave some units to be able to call me to pick him up. Responsibility is the main goal, I prove to him that I trust him with the phone, and he shows me that he can be trusted with how he uses it. And yes I have withheld units when he does something I don't like.

21

Im 30 with a four and a five year old, and I don't plan on getting my children cell phones until they are 16 years old, and hopefully at that age they will have part time jobs and can pay their bills on their own.

I remember when I was growing up we have a LAND LINE and my parents, sister, and brother screened all my calls. Not only did it keep me grounded but I made sure that I didnt get mixed up in the wrong crowd. I am going to keep a good old fashioned land line that my children will have to deal with and I think it should stay that way!

I believe that kids under 9 shouldn't get a cell phone. What would they do with it? I understand for parents they need to get ahold of their children, but couldn't they just call the friend's house to get ahold of them?
Plus, they could be doing things that they shouldn't be doing.

We live in a day and age where technology is part of our everyday lives and it's difficult to go without it. But I think it's crucial to teach children to live without technology before giving them a cell phone.

Yes technology is important in our lives now a days, but if kids are monopolized with their cell phones too early in their childhood they won't experience what being a kid is all about.

I didn't receive my cell-phone until 8th grade and know that a cellphone before high school isn't mandatory by any means.

Technology may be part of life, but people survived before cell phones (we are here) and they will after them or without them. They are unnecessary and in more cases than are reported, they are causing harm not good. Come to think of it, there have been quite a few negative aspects due to the technological advances that have been made in the past 10 - 30 years or so. The shooting in Newtown is one of them. No, I am not blaming cell phones.