LIFamilies.com - Long Island, NY


RSS
Articles Business Directory Blog Real Estate Community Forum Shop My Family Contests

Log In Chat Index Search Rules Lingo Create Account

Quick navigation:   

Cell Phone? At What age?

Posted By Message

BeachMom
Love my 4 kiddos!

Member since 11/08

8346 total posts

Name:
Kristie

Cell Phone? At What age?

At what age did/will you consider getting your DC a cell phone?

My DD is 9 almost 10 and is begging for a cell phone. I almost got her one about 2 years ago when I had issues with her going with my X for visitation. Needless to say she still doesn't have one.

I know there will be many different opinions on this, so i was wondering what age people felt appropriate and why.

TIA!

Posted 12/5/10 6:47 AM
 

MikesBride
LIF Adult

Member since 12/09

1245 total posts

Name:
Ilana

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

Honestly I think the earliest I'd give SD a cell phone would be at 12 and that's ONLY if she is showing a lot of responsibility and ability to take care of her things properly...otherwise I think I'd leave it to High School at the earliest.

Cell phones are not a right, there are still payphones and if their friend's have cell phones they should never be out of touch. To me its something that has to be earned.

Posted 12/5/10 11:38 AM
 

rojerono
Happiest.

Member since 8/06

13803 total posts

Name:
Jeannie

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

When he can afford one.

ETA: At this age my kids are always with me, at school or with someone I trust with my life. There is just zero reason for either of them to have a cell phone. When they get a little older and a little more independent I may change my mind.. but cell phones are not toys and I'm not willing to spend that kind of money month over month on one. They can use the home phone.

Message edited 12/6/2010 3:49:40 AM.

Posted 12/5/10 11:52 AM
 

mathteach
Roll Tide!

Member since 8/08

3169 total posts

Name:
Christine

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

My kids got them for a 5th grade graduation gift. Which is when they were 11.

I'm probably a little more lenient than most moms in that my kids go off to play with their friends a lot during the summer, after school and on the weekends. I want to be able to get in touch with them.

That being said: my youngest DS was literally the LAST of his friends to get one. Some kids had them in 3rd grade.

Posted 12/5/10 12:11 PM
 

A3CM
Avatar Title

Member since 9/08

3762 total posts

Name:
Mommy

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

my nephews got them at 7. they have not lost or broke any phones, or go over their txt or minutes.

that was 6 years ago for the oldest 3 years for the youngest.

Posted 12/5/10 6:15 PM
 

ChrisDee
My Girls

Member since 11/06

9543 total posts

Name:
Christine

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

DD is 9, will be 10 in about a month. She too is begging. I told her it was not even up for discussion until middle school. Some of her friends have them.

Posted 12/5/10 11:43 PM
 

BeachMom
Love my 4 kiddos!

Member since 11/08

8346 total posts

Name:
Kristie

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

Posted by ChrisDee

DD is 9, will be 10 in about a month. She too is begging. I told her it was not even up for discussion until middle school. Some of her friends have them.



Yup, that's my DD to a T. I've been using that on her, not until middle school. but now she's like well i'm in middle school now. I didn't realize when i first started saying middle school that our district starts in 5th grade. i'm still on the fence about whether or not to do it for christmas. But i did already have the conversation with her that every month she would have to pay $10 towards the bill as a sign of responsibility.

Posted 12/6/10 9:25 AM
 

ChrisDee
My Girls

Member since 11/06

9543 total posts

Name:
Christine

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

Posted by BeachMom

Posted by ChrisDee

DD is 9, will be 10 in about a month. She too is begging. I told her it was not even up for discussion until middle school. Some of her friends have them.



Yup, that's my DD to a T. I've been using that on her, not until middle school. but now she's like well i'm in middle school now. I didn't realize when i first started saying middle school that our district starts in 5th grade. i'm still on the fence about whether or not to do it for christmas. But i did already have the conversation with her that every month she would have to pay $10 towards the bill as a sign of responsibility.



Jordan will go to middle school in 6th grade. She is also the oldest kid in her grade(she will be 10 in 4 weeks & only in 4th grade) I see no need for the phone now. If she is not with me, DH or family, then she is at school or with her friends(and their parents). She is too young to be unsupervised so why does she need a phone. She is always with someone that has a phone. In middle school they start staying after for extra help and different things so I "could" see the need then. She may need a ride at different times.There is no payphone in the lobby like when we were in school.

Posted 12/7/10 9:16 AM
 

LIVINMYDREAM
LIF Adolescent

Member since 12/07

833 total posts

Name:
Erin

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

My DS is 10 almost 11 and I "jumped on the bandwagon" over the summer.

My main reason for getting him one was because he plays ALOT of sports and is essentially at one practice or another everyday, so (with a little selfishness in mind) I got him one so that way if I have to leave him at practice and run some errands and I can do that and still feel safe just incase.. KWIM? Plus I am a single mom and I work full time so I get a text everyday when my DS gets on the bus saying , hi mommy , who's getting me from the bus stop, even though he knows it's grandma getting him.. Chat Icon I Love him!!!!!Chat Icon

Posted 12/7/10 10:49 AM
 

cantbelieveit
Love these kids!

Member since 10/05

4708 total posts

Name:
Tammy

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

My SS got one at 9. Too young IMO. He had no need for it. Hardly used it. He was always home, got dropped off and picked up at school, etc. Now at 13, he uses it a lot, walks to and from school so it makes us feel comfortable that he has it. So I would say maybe 12 or 13 when they start becoming a little independant.

Posted 12/7/10 10:53 AM
 

MrsGmomof3
...

Member since 6/08

3290 total posts

Name:
Irrelevant

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

When they get their drivers license.

Posted 12/7/10 11:11 AM
 

cinnabon
Complete..

Member since 6/10

1592 total posts

Name:
B

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

DD got it at 9. She has soooo many playdates, so many clubs after school she goes to, I'd be lost myself if she didn't have one. Granted she's awesome in school, if that changed, it would be taken away in a heartbeat. She's on it occas, it's mostly for me.

and, she keeps it in perfect condition! She asked for the transform this xmas, which we are gladly getting since she made honor roll.

Posted 12/12/10 12:34 AM
 

twicethefun
Loving life

Member since 7/06

4088 total posts

Name:

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?


i think middle school because they are on the on a lot more with after school activities and such.

Posted 12/12/10 9:48 AM
 

PatsBrat
LIF Adult

Member since 10/06

2326 total posts

Name:
Ms. Brat

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

Posted by twicethefun


i think middle school because they are on the on a lot more with after school activities and such.



This is the "norm" in our neighborhood.

Posted 12/12/10 5:48 PM
 

dawnygirl25
Growing up soo fast..

Member since 1/06

14917 total posts

Name:
Dawn

Re: Cell Phone? At What age?

I personally think kids are getting them waay too young. I dont think DD will have one til around 13. She is only 4.5 right now though so I guess I could change my mind over time but as of right now I dont see her getting one at 9 or 10 which seems to be the "norm"Chat Icon

Posted 12/12/10 7:59 PM
 
 

Potentially Related Topics:

Topic Posted By Started Replies Forum
What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone? ChrisDee 1/26/10 113 Parenting
At what age do you think it is appropriate for a child to have a cell phone? 4ForMe 11/8/07 26 Parenting
What phone company do you use? (not cell phone) alnem 10/24/06 25 Families Helping Families ™
Cell phone question. KaRiSsA 7/19/05 9 Families Helping Families ™
So Annoyed About Cell Phone mrswask 6/26/05 11 Families Helping Families ™
Verizon Cell Phone Customers justme1 6/18/05 2 Families Helping Families ™
 
Quick navigation:   
Currently 332910 users on the LIFamilies.com Chat
New Businesses
1 More Rep
Carleton Hall of East Islip
J&A Building Services
LaraMae Health Coaching
Sonic Wellness
Julbaby Photography LLC
Ideal Uniforms
Teresa Geraghty Photography
Camelot Dream Homes
Long Island Wedding Boutique
MB Febus- Rodan & Fields
Camp Harbor
Market America-Shop.com
ACM Basement Waterproofing
Travel Tom

      Follow LIWeddings on Facebook

      Follow LIFamilies on Twitter
Long Island Bridal Shows