Moms Talk Q&A: When Are They Old Enough for a Cell Phone?

White Plains Patch invites you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for parents, caregivers and their families right here in White Plains.

Each Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Moms Talk Q&A, our Moms Council of experts and smart local parents answer questions, give advice and share solutions. If you would like to join the White Plains Patch Moms Council—to let us know what issues local parents care about—e-mail dina.sciortino@patch.com. All parents, guardians and caregivers are welcome (not just moms).

Moms Talk will be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topics. Where are the best 24-hour pharmacies? How to get a picky eater to eat? Where can we get information on local flu shot clinics for children?

So grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we start the conversation with today’s topic: at what age are your kids old enough to have a cell phone? 

Why should your child have a cell phone and at what age? Should have be able to text messages and surf the Internet on their phones? Who's paying for it? Would you monitor your child's cell phone use, for how long?

How do you avoid the "peer pressure" if you'd prefer to wait to get your child a cell phone?

Parents give us your expert advice in the comments.

Like us on Facebook (facebook.com/WhitePlainsPatch) and follow us on Twitter(twitter.com/WhtPlainsPatch)