Should Children Have Cell Phones?

February 22, 2008

Offered in just about every color, shape and size, cell phones have become an adult toy. But do children also need the convenience and accessibility that the phones provide?

Since family plans are offered at a minimal expense, more and more parents are buying their kids flip phones, Bluetooths and Blackberrys? Last night's episode of Lipstick Jungle touched on the tot techie trend.

What is your take on the situation?

34 Comments

2 years 22 weeks

yes we should have a phone

3 years 15 weeks

I didn't get my first phone unitll the end of my 8th grade year and my siblings in the fourth and fifth grade keep begging for one. I don't think they should be able to get one till about the same time I did!

4 years 6 weeks

i got my first cellphone when i was in the 5th grade, Im 19 now. First reason, so my mom could reach me, and second because almost everyone else had one. Cell phones are very much needed now, in most schools if you don't have a phone on you then your seen as a loser, and thats the sad truth. Its makes it hard to hang out with friends. I mean if your friend says "i'll text you the details later" and you don't have a phone, that just makes things harder. If your kid wants a phone then get them one. Just make sure you get unlimited text and minutes so that you wont get a random skyhigh bill.

CaterpillarGirl 5 years 12 weeks

children should only have cell phones, when they can help pay for them and be responsible. ITs a right of passage to wait in front of the school/library or wherever for a hour Hoping to see your moms car pull up! Where is a kid going to be that doesnt have a land line? adult supervision? if they are there, than maybe you need to address that subject and not cell phone use. My 10 year old niece asked "when am i getting a cell phone" and her mother, my sister says "when you can pay for it" Knowing that her daughter doesnt need to be talking/texting/sending pictures to anyone.

CaterpillarGirl 5 years 12 weeks

milosmommy 5 years 12 weeks

I think after age 10 it's ok, but I think one of the phones that can only dial like 3 or 4 numbers is appropriate. They don't need to be calling everyone they know. Just parents/guardians or 911 and that's it. My nephew and niece have their own phone and they are 7 and 9 and I personally think is't silly. They're almost never without their parents so what's the point. I see my nephew calling his friends at times and he doesn't need his own cell phone for that.

ktownpolarbear 5 years 12 weeks

i think once kids hit middle school and they're more likely to venture off on their own, then they should get a phone. but, when you're in elementary school, how could a parent NOT know where you are?

JadeBoho 5 years 12 weeks

I do not think that children should have cellphones. Just looking at the toys offered these days - it seems that children want to be teens at a younger and younger age and, despite how free-spirited I liked to live... I really feel that some of these toys are giving children the wrong message. Instead of cellphones, I think we should have another communication device (I think I saw a pseudo-cell like it somewhere... Firefly, I think) that lets the child call mom or dad or another emergency number in case something should happen. I do not think, however, they need to be worrying about txting and calling their friends...

rubiene 5 years 12 weeks

oh a great parents phone situation first time a phone situation graced the tv. love that scene great acting!

rubiene 5 years 12 weeks

as far as i know there is an option of kids phone where there is importan limited phone list like mom and dad and emergency calls. that would a be a great options!

liladdieshudiva 5 years 12 weeks

It's up to the parents. However, today's society makes it a necessity. I would say if the kid is responsible then get them one.

jennifer76 5 years 12 weeks

Just a note that if you see a child talking on a cell phone in public, it may not be thier phone. When my husband calls from Iraq, both of my kids get a chance to talk to him and while I try to be considerate of those around me, I'm not hanging up on that call to make a clerk's life easier for one minute of their day. And depending on where I am, I get a LOT of judgmental looks and even a snide comment or two. Apparently we've gotten to the point where no one believes that ANY call could possibly be important. Just an FYI...

Sonitera Isle 5 years 12 weeks

Yes they should, especially if they attend secondary school' or at or over the age of eleven, in case of emergency or country havok and there are traffic jams

sweetnshy5282 5 years 12 weeks

I personally think it's ridiculous to see a child w/ a cell phone. I saw an eight year old the other day at Dunkin Donuts talking on her cell phone while her mother was trying to talk to her and the girl behind the counter was trying to take her order. it was so rude... not to mention unnecessary. I agree that maybe when they start driving they may need a cell for emergency purposes only. having a cell phone should not be a replacement for parental supervision. I got my first cell phone when I was 17. didn't really need one until then. I may have wanted one, but kids don't always know what's best for them. that's what parents are for.

leeluvfashion 5 years 12 weeks

My parents bought me my first cell phone at age 10, a few days after 9/11. They wanted me to have it in case something went wrong while in school and needed them. I was to keep it with me 99% of the time. As months went by my parents calmed down a bit and I didn't have to take it as often. A few of my friends also got one soon after the attacks; parents were in panic mode and I understand why.

nikki_ 5 years 12 weeks

I had my first cellphone when I was in 3rd grade.. I think it was a Ringo.. all it could do was call.. Right now, I think they should have cellphones. I remember getting lost in a department store when I was small it it would've been easier if I had a phone and could contact my parents. All in all, as long as the parents feel a need for it(like they go out a lot or whatever) then yes, they should have cellphones but parents should keep an eye on how their children use it..

nikki_ 5 years 12 weeks

I had my first cellphone when I was in 3rd grade.. I think it was a Ringo.. all it could do was call..Right now, I think they should have cellphones. I remember getting lost in a department store when I was small it it would've been easier if I had a phone and could contact my parents.All in all, as long as the parents feel a need for it(like they go out a lot or whatever) then yes, they should have cellphones but parents should keep an eye on how their children use it..

lickety split 5 years 12 weeks

if they need to contact their parents then yes. i would hope they would be with the parents until age 12 or 13, or with trusted friends, relatives. my third grader has a kid in her class that got a cell for christmas and it's a huge popularity boost. it's pink and sparkly, lol. personally anything that takes me out of the loop with my kids i vote no on for as long as possible. that might make my kids "dorks" to their peers, but i read about the way myspace and im's are hurting young girls and well, so be it.

lickety split 5 years 12 weeks

wickedcupofjoe 5 years 12 weeks

For the younger kids that want to go wireless, I like the idea of parental control cell phone, ie LG Migo or the Firefly.Regular cell phones with texting and all that, I'd save that for the older set (15/16+).

wickedcupofjoe 5 years 12 weeks

For the younger kids that want to go wireless, I like the idea of parental control cell phone, ie LG Migo or the Firefly. Regular cell phones with texting and all that, I'd save that for the older set (15/16+).

Dbtabm 5 years 12 weeks

I don't think a kid needs a cell phone until they can drive. I never went anywhere by myself without an adult present (besides school, where there are adults) until I could drive. I hate seeing a little kid with a cell phone.

kaenai 5 years 12 weeks

Small children shouldn't be unsupervised anyway, so presumably there would always be an adult nearby you can contact. A cell phone for a little kid is unnecessary, IMO.But Robin's right; it depends on the kid. My daughter is 13 and just got hers for Xmas - she simply wasn't responsible enough until then.

kaenai 5 years 12 weeks

Small children shouldn't be unsupervised anyway, so presumably there would always be an adult nearby you can contact. A cell phone for a little kid is unnecessary, IMO. But Robin's right; it depends on the kid. My daughter is 13 and just got hers for Xmas - she simply wasn't responsible enough until then.

ley 5 years 12 weeks

hellz no. I did not get a cellphone til I turned 15. Don't regret not having it 'cause it does not serve any definitive purpose when you're soo young.

Link Love

34 Comments

You Might Also Like