I have 3 kids and I HATE seeing other kids on cell phones. But as a parent, I want that security for my own kids. I think kids should have cell phones as early as 5 or 6 in their backpack-turned off- used ONLY to call parents should something happen (they get sick/lost/hurt). I don't think kids should be able to talk to their friends on them. Of course, as mine get older, I may sway a little to the dark side. I don't want the phone used as a distraction- but as a lifeline should they truly NEED me.

true..
have you seen those cool Disney phones?..
they have like 3 buttons..
2 programable for like home or a parents cell phone and then
the other button is for 911..
i think those are appropriate for younger kids who aren't driving but
that could get in some kind of real danger...

I'll look into that. Good idea. As for having one just to have it- No way. There aren't pay phones around like when I was a kid so a cell is almost a must for emergencies.

i see where you're going..
and i completely understand
but oh it infuriates me when i see 11 and 12 yr. olds walking down the mall
texting or talking on cell phones..

**btw i wasn't allowed to go to the mall w/o a parent until i was able to drive there myself**

I agree 100%. When I was 12 I could go where I wanted. Now, I would NOT let my kids go to the mall alone. If you're with your friends, who the heck are you texting? Read a book or do some math...that's a useful skill. Damn kids!

lol..
i'm constantly texting...
but that's cuz i have a really really good friend and a cousin in Iraq and
that is one of the only ways i can talk to them..
and then my best friend just moved away...
so thats one way i keep in contact...

anyways..
yeah..
lol

'bless kids!'

That is NOT what I said. It changed it automatically! Damn. Damn.

You started driving at fourteen?!!

I think secondary school age ie/ 11 is the good time for a child to get their own mobile phone but it's better for it to be a 'pay as you go' one that they can top up with their own pocket money than one where you end up with a whopping bill!

and... that also teaches them responsibility!! ..
you guys are so stinkin smart!!
kudos!!


**i started driving at 14 yep... you get your permit at 14 in Kansas**

Wow - I can't imagine that!

I drove at age 14 as well. I got a "school permit" at 15 so I could drive myself to school for activities. People drove tractors to my school too before they could get licenses. What can i say? We were a backward and farm-minded people!

I will not will not get my children a cell phone until they drive, and I will not will not get them one they can sit and text their friends with or call whoever they want at whatever hour of the day. I'd rather see them running around outside playing or doing something constructive. I want them to be safe when they are driving, so I will get something they can holler for help with. I, too hate to see children with cell phones, blackberries etc. I am old school, and it drives me nuts.

It's interesting to watch my daughter play "telephone". the first question she asks when the "caller" answers is "Where are you?". When I was a kid the first thing we said was "How are you?". We knew where the other person was. We called them at home. The only number we could call. Interesting....

i think the disney phones are a good idea for 11 and 12 and 13 year olds, that way you can keep track of your kids and know where they are or are at least able to keep in touch with them.

if my child wants to text then i'll get them like 100 texts or something like that, it'd be hypocritical of me to say no you can't because i do it lol and i don't see anything wrong with it. im sure kids that age don't really have anything that special to talk about with their friends besides boys and make up, but oh well, i'll let them be kids, they aren't hurting anybody with it.

When they can pay for it?

Forget the cell phones, let's start a post about states that let 14 and 15-year-olds get their permits...

edit: looks like someone already did!

i was 15 when i got my permit! i was ready!

I was 14 and i think that it was a great idea..
it gave me lots of experience (w/ experienced drivers) before i was
just thrown out on the road by myself...