What's the best age to give a child a cell phone?

What are the pros and cons of cell phones to kids under 15 years of age?

 

Most parents give cellphones to their kids at the age of 10. But it's really up to the parents when they're going to give cellphones to their kids. Age is not as important as the degree of maturity of your child, the ability to obey the rules of the home (and schools), their sense of duty, and the needs of your own family. It is a very personal and individual decision to get your kid their first phone, but many kids start asking for them and getting them) as early as elementary school.

Pros

- Many mobile phones provide access to the Internet, which can help a child very quickly and easily obtain answers to questions. This will assist with studies as well as other basic everyday questions, such as daily weather or seeking directions for new places to go.

- There are tracking systems in certain mobile phones that a parent or guardian can monitor where their child is to ensure that they are healthy and where they are expected to be at all time.

- Cell phones help parents and kids keep in contact with each other. They are able to contact their parents to let them know by just using their mobile phone if a child wants to stay after school and needs a ride. This is particularly important because pay phones are becoming increasingly uncommon. In emergency situations, mobile phones may also be important when a parent wants to quickly get in contact with their child or vice versa.

- Cell phones will help teach responsibility to kids. Parents can set rules for their kids, such as remaining within a certain number of minutes or text messages. Children are also liable for their individual mobile phones, and parents can set rules to misplace or break them.

- Cell phones can be a learning tool for children because if the phone has the potential to do so they can learn a new aspect of technology as well as explore the Internet.

- When they are able to use their mobile phones, parents should set rules for their children. This will help teach them discipline, time management, and also allow them to learn without using their mobile phone to enjoy their time.

- In case they face some kind of emergency situation on the road, older kids who can drive will be able to have a phone on hand.

Cons

- In many colleges, cheating on mobile phones has become a major concern. During exams, students will text responses below their desks. Because many phones are now compatible with the Internet, kids can often also use their phone's search engine to find answers to test questions. If the child is found cheating, the school will face significant consequences.

- Mobile phones aren't inexpensive. The cost will escalate rapidly if a child goes beyond the limits on a schedule. Prepaid phones may restrict total payments, but depending on the amount of use the cost per minute can end up being more costly.

- Cell phones in a child's life can be very distracting from more significant activities, such as studying, doing homework, or even crossing the street. Studies have shown that whether they are talking or texting on a mobile phone when crossing the street, children are more likely to be struck by a driver. Since mobile phones can connect kids to their friends and the Internet, they can take time away from studying or homework.

- Older kids who can drive can be tempted to call or text while driving, which can increase their risk of a car accident dramatically.

- Sexting, sending pornographic messages or photos to the mobile phone of another person, is also a concern for parents to consider before buying their child's cell phone. If a child does not have any blocked numbers on their computer, they can receive messages from anyone who has their number that may contain sexually suggestive messages and want to give them the message or picture.

- If there are unique blocks on their account, kids can also accept calls from anyone who has their number. Parents have no way of understanding who's telling their child what.