When Do You Get Your Child a Cell Phone?

Cell phones have changed the way we live our lives and our children are no exception to this.

Mobile phones are small and becoming more affordable.

They provide a good way for you to get in touch with your child or for your child to get in touch with you at any time, but does that mean they should have one?

My son is a toddler, but he already lights up every time I pull out my iPhone and gets upset when I won’t let him play with it. The only phone he’s gotten so far have been toys, but I know the day will come all too soon when I’ll have to make the decision.

A Pew study found that,

As of September 2009, 75% of American teens ages 12-17 have a cell phone, a number that has steadily increased from 45% of teens in November 2004. Fully 90% of parents of teens ages 12-17 have a cell phone, a percentage that has remained steady since 2006.

What’s the right age to get a mobile phone for a child? Do you set limits in terms of talk/text time? For younger children, do you get the special restrictive plans and phones? Do you monitor your child’s phone, texting and Internet use? Do you worry about sexting? Share your opinions in the comments below.