What is a good age for a child to get a cell phone? I just read an article about a father considering getting his son a smart phone at 5.
My kids each got their phones pretty young (not 5 though). Our house is very wired but the deciding factor for me was – when would my children be away from me and need to let me know when to pick them up. For my kids that time was about the time of middle school. They seem to stick to texting (so we have the unlimited plan).
My youngest has an iPad which currently is enough for him (he’s only 3). Until my kids are old enough to stay home alone for short periods of time I had suspected we will wait. With each of my older kids we started with phones that are pay as you go. It limited the possibility of a huge bill if the phone got lost (or one of the kids used too many minutes). It gives me a way to reach them anytime I need them and check up.
We’ve gotten rid of our home phone so I’ve now been rethinking the waiting plan. We recently had a babysitter with no cellphone and I had one of those panic moments…. What do you do if you have an emergency without a phone? Needless to say I ended up taking the little one with me and taking the babysitter home. I just couldn’t leave my youngest without a way to get help if there was a problem (not to mention for me to check up on how they are doing).
I remember growing up not having a cell phone with me at all times, but I also remember having to walk to the nearest house to get help when we ran out of gas. My parents had CBs in the vehicles so we were able to get help that way a couple times also. – My mother caught our car on fire a couple times :). At least once a semi trailer driver stopped to help us with flat tires and other car won’t run issues. Now I can’t imagine not having a phone with me. I have that short panic search whenever I can’t find my phone.
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I am a SAHM/WAHM of three boys ranging in age from 13 to 29. We are working on saving enough for college at the same time as dealing with school and our older independent kids. I author a few blogs, including http://teched4kids.com. I have in the past taught computer information technology classes for the local university and taught workshops for kid's in technology education besides being the Kentucky State FIRST LEGO League Championship Coordinator from 2005 to 2008. I now work as a computer consultant, run a handmade home business, and am available for workshops. Life here is always an adventure!
I found myself wondering about the cell phone age thing the other day. I would want my son to have a cell phone as soon as he will start being away from me on a regular basis, but it’s hard to know what age is best. He is 2 and has his own ipad, but I definitely don’t think he would be able figure out how to actually make calls from a cell phone 🙂 Found your blog on Bloggy Moms!