Do children need cellphones?

Ok I was in the mall last weekend and it relly gets to me that there are young kids like 7 or 8 wiht their parenst and the kids are talking on their own cell phone while the parents talk on theirs. Is there relaly a need for children to have cell phones?

Since pay phones are much more rare these days, I think there are situations when kids should have cell phones. It's important for kids and parents to be in touch. When I was a kid, no kids had cell phones, but there were pay phones at the mall, and of course, when I was at friends' houses, there was their house phone so I could get in touch with my parents.

The downside, though, was that I always had to have a list of friends' home phone numbers for my parents! Also, if I was at the mall or a restaurant, my parents couldn't reach me, and if my parents weren't at home and I needed them, I couldn't reach them, either, until they got cell phones!

Nowadays, as long as people can afford it and the kids can be trusted to be responsible with their phones, it makes sense for kids to get their own at some point. For some families, esp. with single parents or parents who both work, it makes sense for the kids to get their own phone at a young age like 8 or 9. For other families, I think it doesn't make sense until high school, when the kid starts working and/or hanging out with friends who can drive. And for some families, no one cares or that's not an issue, so there's really no need for the kids to have a cell phone. When I student-taught in an elementary school last year, a couple of the 4th graders had cell phones that their parents had given them, and it seemed to make sense given their family's situation.

I'm curious, since I've been out of high school for four years, what percentage of high-schoolers have cell phones now? Junior high schoolers? Elementary students? NO one had a cell phone in elementary or junior high, but when I was a sophomore in HS (2001-2002), I remember all of a sudden there was an explosion of my classmates getting cell phones, and by the time I graduated in 2004, most of my friends had them. I was the only one of my college friends who didn't have one my freshman year, but then I got one the summer after my freshman year, 2.5 years ago.

Is there really much need for some teenagers to need phones? I've seen irresponsible teenagers have no reason for a phone other than to send pointless texts to their mates, rack up a huge bill, and look at mum and/or dad to pay for it.

It's one of the latest social accessories- as far as I've seen, a teen's cellphone seems to be a status symbol. And if a 7 or 8 year old sees their older sibling with a cellphone, they're probably going to want one too. A lot of (not all) parents in this position just want the younger kid to stop whining, so they give in and get them a cellphone. I applaud the parents who tell their kids 'If you want it, you save for it, or prove that you really need it.' When it comes down to it, I only really need my cellphone so my boss can get hold of me(or vice versa), but when you're taking care of 2 kids for your job, you don't want to be stuck somewhere with two young kids in a tough situation,away from a phone, and not be able to get hold of their parents.

I have an 8-year old in my Sunday School whose mum is a single, working parent. The daughter has a phone so that they can keep in contact about complicated arrangements for picking up after school etc. In this sort of case, it makes sense and the little girl seems very sensible and mature with it. Otherwise, it seems pretty pointess until the child is old enough to pay for it themselves, as you say, lex_icon. And I hate the way people talk into their mobile phones instead of to each other!

my son is 12 and I have bought him a phone,more for peice of mind for me really as he started meeting freinds so if he is going to be late or decided to go to a freinds house etc he can ring me and that way I know where he is at all times,in todays society you need to know where your kids are but younger children dont have any real use for them are,they are far to young

what buggs me more then little 8 year olds on cells is little 8 years olds on cell phones dressed like little sl*ts I mean their parents need to pay some attention couse its just not good its really anoying to

Oh I so know what you mean, you see little kids in these tiny little clothes and you wonder what the hell the parents are thinking!

But back to the original question, yes sometimes kids need phones to keep in touch with their parents, plans on when/where to pick them up etc. Also my mum made me keep one for her peace of mind, so she should keep track of me (and I was one of the good kids!)

Yea but everone is saying that they need to kee in touch with their parents. Don't peopel have phones in their house? I was 20 when I got my cell phone and I never had a problem befor than getting a hold of my parents if I was going to be late or whatnot. Also like I said why does an 8 year old need to be talking on a cell in the mall?

I don't think they should have one, doesn't seem necessary.
I remember when I was 9 or 10 my parents would sometimes give me their cellphone when I went to the mall to call them when I was ready or whatever. I'm sure people thought it was my phone, but nope. So, I don't think its always the kids phone... but at the same time, I know some kids do carry their own cell phones.

I asked for a cell phone for the first time when I was twelve. I got it when I was 15 as my only birthday present from them. They told me they got it for me because I was starting drivers training, so I think they did the right thing escpecially because they never gave in to my whining.

hahaha, if you want one, you should definetly be adult about it, dont whine dont argue, if they say no make options or back off. also, lol, I didnt even ask, they just gave me one, but I dont need it, only on game nights or if I go out. hehehe.

The question is about children, so I'll address that.
I don't believe, in most cases, that children under 13 need a cell phone, but if you want your child to have one, there are phones made specially for children that have three buttons--mom, dad, and 911.

I think having a mobile is very important for a childs social life, it makes them more mature I think

When I was in Middle School I'd say about 75 percent of the kids had them. I'm on my freshmen year right now and I'd say it's around 85 percent.

im 15 and I still dont have one..or (as much as I hate to admit it) dont really need one. and when I see 7 or 8 yr old kids with cell phones it bugs me, I dont think its good for the kids, I think its spoiling them. Maybe once they get to middle school...

Verizon has cell phones specifically for kids that have restricted use. Like they can only call specific numbers. Some phones have tracking devices too. I think phones used as electronic leashes are ok for kids, especially for working parents that have a hard time keeping up with their unsupervised children.

yeah I know little shirts and pay more attention to your
kids lol yeah its disgusting

NO BECAUSE YOU CAN GET A TOOMER FROM TALKING ON THE PHONE THAT YOUNG . .

Children have an increasing need for cellphones, and an increasing want. If his/her friends have them you should get them one so they don't feel left out, but if they do prove irrisponsable then its not good.

7-10 it notok cak to have cell phone any older then that its fine with me

I think it is more important for a child to have a cellphone for the (and this is trying to see it through their eyes) looks of carrying one around. Kids try to grow up so fast nowadays, I mean take a look at young girls clothes, when I was 7-8 years old the clothes that were being made were NOTHING like the clothes being produced for girls that age now. That is another story though. Perhaps it gives them a feeling of responsibility with one, and I believe it's Verizon that makes a green phone with younger kids with some kind of device in it that can let parents know where their kids are. If they ABSOLUTELY have to have one at that age, a phone with a device like that would not be such a bad thing, especially in today's world.

I didn't get my first phone until I was either a junior or senior in high school. I had a pager freshman- senior year though, when my parents would page me I would go use a payphone. Sure payphones are a lot less common now than they used to be, but my parents did the right thing with waiting to get me a cell phone. I'm bad with them too, I'm in my mid 20's now and I'm on my 12th phone, I have awful luck with dropping them in the toilet, pools- heck, just dropping them in general!

yea but really if parents want to keep track of their kids that much than just get numbers for where they are going. in todays world it is not hard to get a phone. When I have kinds and they go out ill do what my parents did. gave me two quarters cuase really its not that hard to find a payphone.

YEAH my first cell phone I got was in 4th grade so yeah we deserve them lol at least some of us lol

I think kids should have cell phone because what happens if theres a emergancy or a guy comes up to a kid and the kid starts running and have no where to go what can he or she can do itz better if kids have cell phones

well yah I think everyone should have a cell phone because they are so useful in the world these days like I remember when I was like 5 noone I knew had a cell phone but then again there were a lot less rapists and all of that stuff.

hope I helped
Jessica~

I reckon kids should have a phone when they start going out with friends on there own but until the it's pointles so arrownd the age of 10 11 I think !

not until they are 13 and in 7th grade then they should have one so that they can connect with parents while they are out with friends...younger kids should be under their parents watch and shouldnt be going bad places where cell phones are needed lol. if you do get them one then might as well get unlimited texting because its awesommme

my experience is yes. my moher didn't think I needed one either- until there was a flood at our school when I was 10 years old and there was no way for her to contact me to make sure I was okay. I think that it is important... even if you just get them a trac phone so you can track how much they spend- that kids have a cell phone beccause even in things such as kidnappings so many kids' lives have been saved because they made contact through their cell phones.