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I think it all depends on the family in question, how they live, what their child's life is like, are they alone sometimes?, do they have after school programs or need a ride home or walk home alone? etc. The world is not as good a place as it was and crime rates in many "safe" places are even rising. So, I know a lot of parents want their children to have something for emergency which is fine. However, I also agree with a lot of people who say why should a 5/6 year old child need a top of the line iPhone or smart phone? That's a little questionable since they are too young for social networking and things like that. Why would they need the internet? To google their spelling words? (And anyway, most families already have computers!)
I have also known quite a few family friends where their kids weren't responsible enough with their minutes used and ran up the bills hundreds of dollars. So, I think it also should be pointed out that someone who should have a phone should be responsible enough to recognize their limit and stick with it. If they can't be, then maybe they shouldn't have one just yet for their leisure, but one they can carry around for emergency. I think if a kid walks a distance to a bus stop or walks home, a phone is okay, a basic phone. Even a 13 year old wouldn't <i>need</i> an extravagant phone but something to talk or text with. I could never fathom wasting $300+ on a phone for my child if I deemed they didn't need it. Something to bring around to call or keep in touch with your parents is perfect, no need to buy your kid something expensive just because you want to use it as a status symbol. Age wise, I think 13 is perfect age for someone to have a reasonable phone. If they're younger, then a basic phone. I live in a very populated area where many people have money to throw around and it makes me feel sick to see a 10 year old have a fancier phone than I do, and I'm 22 years old! lol I work and pay for my own phone bill, but even I don't need all the extras some of these phones have so why should a 10 year old need it? They're nice phones, but I also would want to spend my money reasonably and responsibly. I love my smart phone, but it still wasn't the brand new one that was hundreds of dollars to purchase. As for my first phone, I was about 15/16. I got a basic flip phone that could text and call and IM. That's all I really wanted to use it for since I would IM a lot of my school friends. When I was younger (13 - 14), if I wanted to use a cell phone, I would borrow my mom's and go out and call her or I would IM or text my friends occasionally with her phone. Again, it was a standard phone, then again that was back in about 2002, so there weren't really the high tech gadgets like there are now. But, I think I was also mature enough to know I couldn't fool around with the phones or replace them easily, so I always took great care of my cell phones. It all depends though on what age someone is best considered to be responsible with a phone. |
I hate when little kids have cell phones, thinking they're all cool and everything. I mean, who are you texting? Your like 7.
I think when your in at least 8th grade or 9th grade (going into High School) would be the appropriate time to get a cell phone. That's when I first got mine. The point is in High School, you pretty much need a phone in case of an emergency or something. Not when your in Elementary or Middle school. |
I think a kid can get a phone when he/she can pay for the phone + the costs themselves, but nothing too extravagant. And if they were my kids and they had the phone, they wouldn't be allowed to use it for social networking until 14. But it all depends on the kid, really. If they're the typical [email protected]$ta eight year old who believe it is their right to 'have a phone to call all my bros' and waste all the credit on stupid ringtones and advertisements they see on TV instead of actually using it for what it is for, then I don't think they deserve one. But if the kid is one who needs it so they can call their parents in an emergency (especially kids who are prone to seizures or something like that, so passers by can call the parents if needed) or so they can be picked up, plus they are responsible/mature enough to handle a phone, by all means, give them one.
I just think that parents nowadays are getting too hasty to give their kids phones just because they're trendy or cool, not because they actually should have one. |
Recently, I visited my relatives in Florida.
My nine-year old cousin has a cell phone nicer than mine and was texting her friends from school the whole time we were at a restaurant. I was flabbergasted, I didn't even get a cell phone until I was 16 and started driving, and didn't start texting regularly until I was 18. The only gadget I had at her age was my Game Boy Color. Damn, I feel old now. And I'm only 20. |
I didn't get my first phone until I turned 12... I think? And even then it was only used so my Mum could call me. It depends on the circumstances but I don't think kids should have one just for the sake of having one. Kids are growing up far too quickly these days for my liking. *shakes pensioner fist at them young 'uns* xD
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I got my phone when I am was 13 and I don't like it because it is an old model mobile cellphone. I am hoping mom will buy me an Iphone this year.
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I think I got my first phone late 5th grade / early 6th grade. I didn't get spoiled with the views of smartphones and iPods until late 8th grade.
And what pulls my strings is seeing 7-8 year old girls texting their girlfriends with their flashy keyboard phones >__> |
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As for others complaining that children who are not theirs own have phones, I agree that they should mind their own business. |
In my humble opinion, your first phone should be crap. Just like your first car. Now get off my lawn. :P If you're like 9 and I see you with a Blackberry or something, your mom needs smellingsalts.
I got my first cell phone at 14, I think. Some sliding phone with a number pad, got it free from renewing a contract. I never really used it, and lost it often, and eventually I downloaded Pokemon Yellow and played it without sound. It wasn't much, but I didn't lose it anymore. Now I have a Samsung Flight two years later, which is not so awesome itself... it has a browser and that's all I do with it other than the occasional text message. Can't download anything. Stupid security measures. And that's all I really do with my phone. |
I got my first phone for my 11th birthday. Which, in my opinion, is the age you should be getting a phone. There should be an age limit on it, as 9 year olds with a phone is just as ridiculous as them having an XBox and swearing at you on Live.
My phone just does what I want it to do - play some games and text my friends. I never call anybody, texting is my thing. And anyways, my mom agrees that it's fantastic that I got one; should I be walking home from school or going somewhere with friends, she likes to know that I'm safe. |
I must've been uh... around... ten, maybe. I started walking home from school on my own, so I had to have a phone else my parents would worry.
Honestly, though, I think kids should only get phones when they start going places on their own. I grew up on Pokemon Cards and Gameboys, now all the kids have laptops and phones better than mine ;~; |
I got my first phone at 12 and I thought I was kinda young at the time, haha. The phone was nothing fancy (mind you, cellphones back in like... 2002 weren't in general anyway). I think that there's nothing wrong with a kid getting a cellphone - it's good for parents who want to have a method to contact their kids when they're not around - but I draw the line at getting a kid, like, an iPhone or something. That's unnecessary.
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meh, I think that in a way its a bad thing because i remember how healthy was my childhood, only adults were to have a cellphone xD but in other way its better
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I got my first phone when i was 10 when i started to go out with my friends, to me, if a kid needs/wants a phone, they should be able to get one i guess.
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I got my first cell phone on my 18th birthday. I didn't really need one before then because I wasn't out doing extracurriculars everyday and I didn't have any friends, so yeah...
Remember, the parents' budget also plays a significant role on the age kids get phones. My parents aren't rich so they delayed buying me a phone for as long as they could. XD |
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Out of curiosity, do you do a lot with your iPhone? What do you use it for & why did you choose it? Instead of just quoting people you disagree with and being a jerk, let us know your side of the story. You bought it with your own money, that's a start, but tell us why YOU think children need phones (and expensive ones at that). That's how debates work and this is a debate. You're going to get a warning if you just keep up with that "you're unnecessary" crap. |
Well, I'm 14 and most of my friends/people I know has one. I'm honestly fine not having a cellphone atm. I had asked my parents before, but they said I can't get one till I get a job. :p That's about it... I'm pretty sure they think I'm not responsible enough. But to be honest with myself, I am a really responsible person. Well, 99% of the time. :D
I think that if the child is responsible enough, then why not. |
i got mine when i was eight.
I'm 9 now. I think they should be atleast 8 - 9 or something |
I'm in my late 20's / 85 and I still don't have a cell phone. When do kids need a cell phone? When their parents deem it necessary for them to have one in order to keep in touch with them. Whether that's at age 8 or 16 depends on the parents and how often the kids are at a friend's house/working/etc.
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Anyways, with the phones,. I couldn't care less since I choose not to have a cell phone when I can just use my house phone or a phone wherever I may be. |
I got my first mobile phone when I was 7 years old, I wasn't really using it that much unlike today. I think age doesn't matter in regards with mobile phone and gadges.
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I got a basic phone when im elven. But i saw a 2nd grader have a phone and thats way to young. I think elven a good age.
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I guess when the child starts Highschool is a good age. If they're any younger they don't get one unless they actually NEED it for something like an afterschool activity. (I had band in Highschool and I needed a cellphone to call my parents when it was over)
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It bothers me when I see a third grader with an Iphone or a droid. Haha if they do they have a better phone than me. I'd say they should wait until middle school or near middle school. In my opinion
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