Monday, March 30, 2009

Age Appropriate?


What age do you think is appropriate for a child to have a cell phone?
I realize it's a convenience thing for parents but really, at what age does responsibility begin?
I know plenty of young children that are always getting in trouble with their phones and the parents have to monitor their every call. So what's the point if you have to monitor everything? Are you being nosey, controlling or did you just give a child a device that they are not ready for? Sounds like poor parenting to me if you have to do all of that? What's your take on the subject?
HAVE A SUPER MONDAY!
~ Jennifer

8 comments:

Dr Zibbs said...

My kids are 12 and 15 and they both got them last year. I had and lost the argument with my wife to have the kids pay part of the bill.

Sarah said...

I say 16 or as soon as they start driving. A caveat, I don't have kids and am not sure how soon I would cave in.

Our Two Blessings From Above said...

My twin boys got them when they were almost 15. They are not allowed to take them to school. I feel they are a major distraction in school. Every classroom has a phone and if they need me they can pick up the phone in the class. I like them having phones when out at school functions so I can get ahold of them, but totally against taking them to school! I think a lot has to do with the maturity of the child getting the phone too.

Mama Dawg said...

My 9 year old wants one. The 10 year old across the street has one. I've told my daughter that we won't even discuss having one until she's 11 but she most likely will NOT get on at that age.

She's a pretty responsible child. She already has an iPod and takes pretty good care of that.

We'll see.

Unknown said...

I think it so depends on the kid and the situation.

Hot Tramp said...

I think kids should go back to messenger pigeons!!!

Cowguy said...

Our kids got 'em when they started driving (16) but that was a few years ago and times change.

Susie said...

My oldest daughter got hers when she started driving. I got a pay as you go. If she went over the $20 every 3 months, she had to pay. Guess what...she never went over!