Cell Phones

Pixi_Rex

Depends on the situation.

My youngest brother had a cellphone at 8, my mom was a student and was going to school 45 minutes away, My 16 year old brother was his afterschool caregiver until she got home but we had a crazy biological father, and his phone was for emergencies only and he rarely ever used it.

There are phones plans where you can only call certain numbers on it, I would look into something like that if you want to get your child a cellphone.

As for those saying they didn't have cells until they were 16+. Times change, I was 20 when I got my first cellphone, my younger brothers were 18, 16 and 8.

WreckaRed

I would say no, but ask me again in 4 years when I have an 8 yr old. Maybe an old phone that is charged and can call 911, or those 2 way radios were a great idea!

Lisa1971

Eh - I did not have a cellphone until I was 16. Also, why would your 8 year old ever be "out and about" in a city, in danger? 8 year olds should always be supervised by a responsible adult.

THIS!

wheird

I am slightly shocked that I am in the minority here.

SomeNights246

I didn't have a cell phone until I was 16.

But, no one really had cell phones when I was 8. Those who did were upper middle class. And they were those big cell phones. With the antennas. By the time I was eleven, they had those dinosaur cell phones. They were still big, but no antenna. They were still out of our price range, though. When I entered high school, most people had flip phones. But I was poor, so my family couldn't afford that. Finally, at like 16, Nokia released those $20 dinosaur phones. They weren't flip phones, but they had that snake game on them. Which was entertaining.

Point is? Back then, no 8 year old had a cell phone. Because it wasn't really standard technology. Times are changing, as times often do.

My opinion? Yes and no. I could say I didn't have a phone at 8. But we did have walkie talkies. My mom would keep one at the house, and we'd carry the rest with us. She'd page us on it when dinner was done, we'd do so for her if we were in any trouble. Same concept applied. They have kid plans and kid phones. You pre program like 3 numbers or something into the phone, and those are the only numbers the kid can call. I would say it depends on the situation and what you, as the parent, decide.

kcmcd

My oldest will be ten this summer, and we have considered getting him a basic phone only because we moved several states away from his best friend and cousin last year, and they are CONSTANTLY on my phone.

It occurs to me as I type this that getting a landline might actually be the way to go - because... he's only turning 10.

Anyway. I don't know. It's not unheard of. Lots of kids in his class this year had them. I think he may just not quite be ready yet. Or maybe he is.

So helpful. Sorry.

FaceTime is way better to keep in touch, if you have a computer

We do. We Skype with grandma. His cousin doesn't have a webcam/microphone though, and what they're trying to do is play Minecraft together. Not necessarily chat about their day. lol

TheSatinPumpkin

if we do end up giving a cellphone to your child then load up a app like Life 360 so you can track/locate.

inneedofanap

I guess I'm in the minority here too. I’ve got 3 kids; all are happy, healthy, intelligent, well-adjusted kids. (Although they can occasionally be sarcastic little s***-heads which I’m secretly pleased about.)

They all have cell phones. The oldest got one at 16, middle got one at 13, youngest at 10. There is no drama, they don’t call 900 numbers, they haven’t lost them, they don’t run up bills.

They do call me when they are at a friend’s house and are getting ready to head home, they do text me when golf/basketball/softball/etc. practice is over early. Sometimes they even text me and tell me how much they love me.

Go ahead, get your 8-year old a phone. Just because “we” didn’t have cell phones when we were 8 doesn’t mean your kiddo shouldn’t have one. If it gives you peace, and if they are responsible, then there isn’t any harm.

Kitten2629

in my opinion no. My daughter is 11 and is constantly asking b/c a few of her friends in school have them. Since she is never in a situation where she is alone unsupervised without an adult or a land line present I still tell her no. Just as I do with make up in public, fake nails etc.

luv_lea

My son is 8, and has been asking for a cell phone. My answer..."who the heck do you need to call?!" He says, IDK.

My son has one of my old android phones for apps/games, and I got a home phone mostly for him (to learn how to use a phone, call 911 if needed, and other situations if needed.) Right now, there is no reason he needs a cell phone, as I don't plan on leaving him anywhere without supervision nor do I feel like he'd be in a situation away from our home that he'd need to call me.

I was 16 when I got my first cell phone, and I realize he will probably need one sooner than that (I'm thinking 12-14) but it will be because we have evaluated it and feel he NEEDS one, not because other kids have one.

Pipsg1rl

I am pro-phone, my husband was not so much.

My advice is this: Not a smart phone. Get a pre-paid type of phone. Only allow him use when he's on his way to his friends.

I prefer my son be able to call me on his own phone from school or if he needs to be picked up from his friend if his friend is acting like a jerk (hey, it happens).

If you use pre-paid and it's a smart type phone you can use it as a bargaining chip to get him to do chores to earn $$ for that sucker.

We don't have a home phone either, so a cell is win win.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Also, why would your 8 year old ever be "out and about" in a city, in danger? 8 year olds should always be supervised by a responsible adult.

Yeah. I just don't think a 8 year old would possibly need one. I don't see it as *wrong* just not necessary. I do not let my kids walk to friends house, school or to the park alone.

BinaryPulsar

My kids are 7 and 10. In my area (a nicely set up, apartment complex, with lots of outdoor space, bike riding paths, trees), the kids do all play outside, coming and going, and they walk to school alone. There are lots of kids. They don't need cell phones. If they need to call me, they can go to a friend's house, or they can just walk home (or they send a friend to come get me). They have guidelines of where they are allowed to go on their own and need to check in with me for certain things. I tell them that when all the kids go in for dinner, that means it is time for them to come home for dinner also. I do pick them up from school and walk home together. But, if I am late, they play at the park until I arrive (the school has a phone if needed). There have been times when my older daughter called me from the school and then she walked home on her own (after being late coming back from track). I live in a very large suburb, just outside the city and go into the city daily for dancing, and other things, with and without my kids.

Maybe because I didn't have a cell phone until I was 25 (and pregnant). I'm sure they will get one sooner than that.

CCSavage88

She was allowed a Firefly at 7...It stored 4 numbers and a parental lock in which numbers couldn't be added or removed.

RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle

I remember my children asking me for a cell phone because "All their friends had one" and they needed one for safety reasons. I said "you're safe! if you ever need to get a hold of me you easily can, because all your friends have one!"

They were unimpressed with me, but I was proud of my wit. . :laugh: