What age should people get their first cell phones?

[Greater vakolicci haven]

I got my first (2003 vintage) phone when I was 6, about the same time I got my first computer which lived in my room. I got my first smartphone (is an n95 a smartphone) when I was 11. First iPhone when I was like 14, but that was more because of the learning curve of using a touchscreen.

6?!?!?!

Yes, 6. Wasn't much bad stuff you could do on it though, and I was tight as a ducks arse as a kid so hated the idea of using all my credit. That phone was safe in my hands, it was more likely to die from lack of use than anything. Even when I had a mobile I used the phone in the living room because somebody else pays for that.

[Lana Xen Bland]

I think it varies by situation. What will the Cell phone be used for? Just games, emergency only, or daily usage. I remember I got my first cell phone when I was 12 and the only reason Why I got it was because I was going to start staying at home by myself. I was only to use it for Emergencies only. It was a black and white version phone back when the game Snake was a thing, And the after 9 O'clock free minutes curfew was huge. LOL. Also depends on the responsibility of the kid I will not buy a phone for something that will get my kid in trouble or will break/lose. So to answer your question there is no true age it all varies.

[Purple Rats]

I got my first phone when I was 14-15 something like that, and I was almost the last one in our class who got it. I walked alone to home, 4 km, quite often (when I did not want to wait for next bus). But times were different then, parents did not think about all the issues as much as people do now.

My niece, is 8, and she already has her phone.

I think if your kid starts school, and has to come home from school alone, then it's better to them to have a phone. At least if I would be parent, I would be really nervous if my kid is out somewhere without a phone.
Just before they get into teenager years, I would have some parent-control over their phone. Lock some apps and websites etc.

[Arboria Ryon]

My first cell phone was given to me by my parents when I was a freshman in high school. It was a very bad Samsung Galaxy something and I kind of hated it. My little brother also got his first cell phone when he entered high school so I appreciate my parents consistency. I don't think that kids necessarily need cell phones until they are going places by themselves. I understand that cell phones are used for entertainment purposes, but you can find a lot of other things to entertain yourself with other than a cell phone. I don't think that young kids (specifically middle-schoolers) need the pressures that come with having a cell phone, like those caused by interacting with social media. Ultimately though it is the parents' decision to recognize whether or not their child is mature enough to handle a cell phone.

[Swindenland]

Ideally you would want your child to use the computer ASAP and then teach the child just how much better computers are than mobile phones. That way your child can get his phone quite early but won't care about them.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

Ideally you would want your child to use the computer ASAP and then teach the child just how much better computers are than mobile phones. That way your child can get his phone quite early but won't care about them.

Tbh, this is kind of what happened with me. I'm pretty sure I got my phone and my computer for the same birthday (one might have been for Christmas, idk), but because phones in 2003 were a bit shit I spent ages on the computer and often didn't even know where my phone was. Even now, I'm way worse/slower even than other blind people using a phone as compared to a computer.

[Mirial Magna]

(Image)

Sargon is every single anti-ancap stereotype personified.

[Katganistan]

When they have a job sufficient to pay for the phone and the cellular plan.

[Purple Rats]

(Image)

Can I PLEASE-PLEASE-PLEASE ask, that you would use "spoiler" box for your images? It gets little bit annoying, if in every thread of this forum your huuuuuge images are taking so much space.

[Ava Ire]

I got mine when I was 13. It was a birthday gift. All my other peers had a phone by then.

[Trollgaard]

I got my first phone when I was 18. It was a flip phone. I still have a flip a phone.

I honestly don't think kids need a phone before they start working and or driving. 16ish.

[US-SSR]

When they can afford to pay for them.

[Purple Rats]

Question to those, who think kids don't need phone, before teenager:

1. What is this kid suppose to do, when they wanna go somewhere after school? With a phone it's simple "Hey, I will go to ...."
2. What is the parent suppose to do, when there is time arriving when kid normally would arrive to home, but for some reason does not....
3. Kid is outside, parent is changing their plan, and want to take kid with them somewhere, how they are get their kid?

Also if someone is missing, who is friend with your kid, their parents could call you, so you can call your kid and ask maybe they are with them.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

When they have a job sufficient to pay for the phone and the cellular plan.

It's most likely that the kids who are most likely not to work before college are the kids who most need a means of getting in contact with people. I'm thinking of disabled kids here.

[Diopolis]

Question to those, who think kids don't need phone, before teenager:

1. What is this kid suppose to do, when they wanna go somewhere after school? With a phone it's simple "Hey, I will go to ...."
2. What is the parent suppose to do, when there is time arriving when kid normally would arrive to home, but for some reason does not....
3. Kid is outside, parent is changing their plan, and want to take kid with them somewhere, how they are get their kid?

Also if someone is missing, who is friend with your kid, their parents could call you, so you can call your kid and ask maybe they are with them.

1. Ask their parent, like anyone else. Maybe he could borrow someone else's phone.
2. Wait a few minutes, it's probably nothing. Eventually go looking.
3. Go walk over and talk to him, we don't walk enough nowadays anyway.

[Saiwania]

You don't need one until you figure out you need one. Besides, its a bit of a pain to pay for phone service. You do probably need one however, if you're employed or want people to be able to contact you. Although with robocalls, this is less useful until that issue ever gets resolved. You do want a working phone for any job hunting.

[Mushet]

Depends, I was taking public busses by myself around late elementary/middle school age and I could've used one instead of always borrowing from strangers. Eventually I did but even through high school sometimes I had one sometimes I didn't.

[The Free Joy State]

It would depend on the individual child (their needs, their maturity).

For most children, when they're going into high school (so 11/12, depending on the country) would be an appropriate time to give them an inexpensive, sturdy phone (one where it wouldn't matter too much if it got broken or lost) so they can stay in touch while out with or going to be late or ask permission to go to a friend's house after school.

Some children -- for example, children who have to travel long distances to school at a younger age or children with some medical conditions -- may require a (very) basic phone several years younger.

All-singing, all-dancing phones that can download the greatest hits, do your taxes and tell you the current temperature on the opposite side of the Moon... I think teenagers should save up their allowance money (and birthday/Christmas money) and buy them for themselves.

[Cisairse]

It would depend on the individual child (their needs, their maturity).

For most children, when they're going into high school (so 11/12, depending on the country) would be an appropriate time to give them an inexpensive, sturdy phone (one where it wouldn't matter too much if it got broken or lost) so they can stay in touch while out with or going to be late or ask permission to go to a friend's house after school.

Some children -- for example, children who have to travel long distances to school at a younger age or children with some medical conditions -- may require a (very) basic phone several years younger.

All-singing, all-dancing phones that can download the greatest hits, do your taxes and tell you the current temperature on the opposite side of the Moon... I think teenagers should save up their allowance money (and birthday/Christmas money) and buy them for themselves.

Kids go to high school at age 11 or 12 in your country? Usually that's not until 14/15 here.

[Cekoviu]

It would depend on the individual child (their needs, their maturity).

For most children, when they're going into high school (so 11/12, depending on the country) would be an appropriate time to give them an inexpensive, sturdy phone (one where it wouldn't matter too much if it got broken or lost) so they can stay in touch while out with or going to be late or ask permission to go to a friend's house after school.

Some children -- for example, children who have to travel long distances to school at a younger age or children with some medical conditions -- may require a (very) basic phone several years younger.

All-singing, all-dancing phones that can download the greatest hits, do your taxes and tell you the current temperature on the opposite side of the Moon... I think teenagers should save up their allowance money (and birthday/Christmas money) and buy them for themselves.

er, high school at 11/12?

[Cisairse]

Ideally you would want your child to use the computer ASAP and then teach the child just how much better computers are than mobile phones. That way your child can get his phone quite early but won't care about them.

I agree with this actually

[Diopolis]

It would depend on the individual child (their needs, their maturity).

For most children, when they're going into high school (so 11/12, depending on the country) would be an appropriate time to give them an inexpensive, sturdy phone (one where it wouldn't matter too much if it got broken or lost) so they can stay in touch while out with or going to be late or ask permission to go to a friend's house after school.

Some children -- for example, children who have to travel long distances to school at a younger age or children with some medical conditions -- may require a (very) basic phone several years younger.

All-singing, all-dancing phones that can download the greatest hits, do your taxes and tell you the current temperature on the opposite side of the Moon... I think teenagers should save up their allowance money (and birthday/Christmas money) and buy them for themselves.

er, high school at 11/12?

I mean, that's when Americans start junior high school.

[Cisairse]

er, high school at 11/12?

I mean, that's when Americans start junior high school.

In my area middle school is 7th and 8th grade, which I assume would mean you start when 12/13. But I'm not so sure someone needs a cell phone that early.

[Diopolis]

I mean, that's when Americans start junior high school.

In my area middle school is 7th and 8th grade, which I assume would mean you start when 12/13. But I'm not so sure someone needs a cell phone that early.

I don't think you need a cell phone that early either, but in some districts 6th-9th grade is called junior high school. That may be what he's referring to.

[Greater vakolicci haven]

In my area middle school is 7th and 8th grade, which I assume would mean you start when 12/13. But I'm not so sure someone needs a cell phone that early.

I don't think you need a cell phone that early either, but in some districts 6th-9th grade is called junior high school. That may be what he's referring to.

No, there are just a lot of people on the forum who are not American. In the UK most areas have no middle school. We start high school at 11.