Is Your Kid Clamoring For a Cell Phone? How Young is Too Young?

The other day I saw a three-year old begging for an IPhone. Seriously. And everyone in earshot didn’t look as shocked as you would imagine. These days, kids are becoming wired at younger ages every year.

“It is a way of life for how they communicate,” says Denise Restauri, founder of AllyKatzz.com, a social networking site for girls ages 10 to 15. “Their friends are important to them. They want a tool to communicate with them in a way that their friends communicate.”

But how do parents decide when it’s time to give their kids a cell phone? Here’s the smart mama’s guide to keeping connected with the kids:

The Elementary Years: 6-8 years old  

What’s age appropriate?Think carefully about why you want a child this age to have a cell phone. Is it worth spending $30 a month for a phone that they will rarely use, or is the peace of mind that comes with knowing where your kids are at all times worth every penny?

The Moms say:“I'm super old school, so I think under 16 is too young for a cell phone,” says Taya Dunn Johnson, a Washington, D.C., mom of one. “My child is only ever with me, with a loved one, trusted friend or at school. So why do they need their own phone?”

Your best bet:If you do decide to get a phone for a child this age, they don’t need one with all the bells and whistles.  Firefly Mobile offers phones with limited contacts, so your kids can only dial certain approved numbers. For available phones and pay-as-you-go options, check out www.fireflymobile.com.  

The Tweens: 9-12 years old

What’s age appropriate?The tween years are marked by a blossoming social life and a growing sense of independence. Will you be inviting trouble if you add a cell phone to the mix?

The Moms say:“My daughter is 10 and has a cell phone,” says mom Itxel Riveria of Puerto Rico. “I have it mainly for when she's at dance class or at a family member's house to coordinate pickup.”

Your best bet:You’ll want to make sure kids this age understand that having a cell phone is a privilege. Spell out your expectations: no phone calls after a certain hour, and no text messaging. Any prepaid phone would work well for this age group, as they are still maturing and learning the boundaries of your budget.

The Bonafide Teens: 13-18 years old

What’s age appropriate? You can’t turn on the news these days without hearing a report on sexting, the act of sending risqué pictures or messages through text. A 2008 survey revealed that 20% of teens ages 13-19 had sent nude or semi-nude photographs of themselves electronically. Guard against this phenomenon by having regular talks with your kids about what is appropriate cell phone behavior.

The Moms say:“Girls often don’t know what to do when they get unwelcome messages or messages from people they don’t know,” Restauri says. “That’s why you have to keep the lines of communication open.” 

Your best bet: At this age, they can handle a nicer cell phone, so a lower priced phone from your same cell phone provider might work well. If you’re with T-Mobile, you can add a line for as little as $5 a month. For older teens with jobs, let them earn money to pay for their cell phone to help them learn responsibility (and ease the burden on you!). Try Walmart’s Straight Talk plan, which offers unlimited talk and text for $45 a month.