Kids and Cell Phones!

Should kids have cell phones? A common question amongst parents these days! Also does my kid need a cell phone? How old should they be? Or could they get by without having one. How old should a kid be before even thinking about getting them a cell phone? Are kids able to take care of cell phones?

Not all kids need a cell phone. A kid that should have a cell phone is one that has takes the bus to school and walks home or has to often contact their parents on where to pick them up at. This could be a kid in elementary school, middle school, or high school. It all depends on the kid and their family situation. You can usually tell from past experiences if your kid needs a cell phone. If you are in a family where a kid is usually with their parents and they drive them everywhere they go they and never have problems knowing when and where to pick them up these kids might not need to have a cell phone.

You probably shouldn't even consider getting a kid a cell phone that is younger than 8, or not in the 3rd or 4th grade yet. A kid usually isn't in need of a cell phone before this age. Most other kids won't have one yet and they won't feel the that they need one to "fit in." There are a lot of kids in elementary school that have a cell phone these days though, although I didn't get one until my senior year of high school... things may be a little different now six years later. Even when once I got a cell phone looking back on it now I did not really "need" to have it, it was just a nice thing to have in high school.

So should kids have cell phones? If your kid is any younger than what I suggested than they may not be able to take care of a cell phone. Although some young kids could very well be more responsible then some high school student... so you have to make the judgment call on if you think your kid is responsible enough or not. Let them know that it is a privilege and it will be taken away if misused. The reason you get a cell phone for kids should be thought about carefully. Perhaps you can give them a way to earn it, by getting good grades or doing their chores! Also if they are in high school and really want a cell phone you could tell them if they want it that badly they need to get a job to pay for it.