Kids Having Cell Phones... What Do You Think

Thats so funny, I was reading it and didn't even think about looking at the dates, thought it was a popular thread! LOL. Anyways, my nephew, who is turning 11 in November has had this phone for just over 1 year. I got it free, and it cost's me 9 dollars for the 3rd line, 4.99 for 400 text's, and 2 dollars for Family Allowances, which he is limited to 250 text messages, and 200 minutes a month, plus he has 5 my favs, which are unlimited on the Fam Allowances. He has always been a very responsible young man, and keeps impressing me. He did break his Phone (Samsung, unk model, red flip) so we bought him a 20 dollar prepaid throwaway (sorry nickname) and he has kept it un great shape since. I also told him no more new phone's until he is a teenager, and he never complains.

In my opinion, however, I think children should be given a phone, based on many factors, such as the parents or who is paying the bill, the child them selves, and where they live, how they act with it, etc. He lives in a pretty rough area of East Ft Lauderdale (Hollywood, FL) and goes to school close. He is home alone with his 8 yoa brother at times, and they have no landline, and no neighbors who would be able to keep that good of an eye on them. No 2 situations are the same!

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I think it's alright for kids to have cell phones if they no when to use it, how to use it without getting caught, if they don't use it for crazy stuffs it's okay for them to have one, especially if if they need to call home because there sick.

Well I guess it depends upon their parents choice,cause in the market verizon migo has launched a cell phone for kids ,It has only five speed dial buttons on the front which will help them a lot in an emergency.If any trouble they face they just push a button and call forward to their mom or dad and also effective for keep tracking of their children when they are outside....Thanks....

If a child is mature enough to be responsible in handling a cell phone and if he will only be provided with a simple cell phone, I see this as a very helpful device that kids could have. However, I approve that children should only be given with this device once there is a need. For instance, if a child is not constantly being monitored by his parents because of the activities he pursues, then a cell phone will be a very helpful tool for the parents to easily contact their child. In this case, a cell phone both serves as a tool that helps to secure the peace of mind of the parents and the safety of a child, especially if a child will be using a phone with emergency response system.

Anyway, there is also a study that states the significance of cell phone in improving the connections of parents to their children. Here is a link to that study: Cell Phone Can Improve Connection with Children | Psych Central News