Kids and cellphone
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My son was 10. I think that's a good age.
I think there’s soo much kids can do on a phone now it’s better to wait longer. When my little sister was in elementary we got her a kids smart watch, it only allowed her to call who we put on it/send simple texts to again whoever we put on it, we could also track her whereabouts and see all her activity (who/what she was texting/calling) on a app..I think for safety reasons it was perfect..hoping they still have stuff like that when my daughter is old enough, if they create a phone like that then I’d consider that once she’s in middle school
My kid had a phone at 10 but she was also home alone for roughly an hour after school some days. If not for that she wouldn't have had it
I’ll probably give my daughter one at 11 as she will be walking to school plus if we leave her home alone we don’t have a landline.
My kids don’t get cell phones until they have jobs and can pay for the bill themselves (16+)
I’m a middle school teacher. Most of the kids have phones, but the ones without don’t have drama. We’ve had multiple big issues with cell phones and social media that have had to be resolved at school, even though they were outside of school hours. My child will not be getting one until 8th grade at the earliest.
I got my daughter a phone in 6th grade and ended up taking it shortly after. I should have waited a bit longer. She's now in 8th and got it back this year. She's much more mature now and responsible with it.
@Brandi thank you it’s nice to have a teacher perspective as I don’t really know what goes on in the classroom. I was afraid of the drama and as far as I read it looks like I should wait a little longer as he not really going to need it.
I'd say if he is going anywhere alone, like going to work, or you drop him off at sport and pickup after I'd give him a phone just in case he needs to contact you. But with social media, it's super influential on kids, and I'd be extra cautious if you had a highly emotional child, as you mentioned. Either strict monitoring of the phone so he isnt on socials so young or get him a brick flip phone that has legit nothing on it but your phone numbers 🙂
Don’t give a 10 year old a phone - signed a kid who got a phone at 9-10 and was groomed.. by many men who targeted me for my age on a gaming platform👌 if you do I’d think of something like bark for protection
I got my 12 year old his first phone this year for his birthday. But honestly, I should have waited longer. Unless there’s a safety concern ex. Kids stay after school a lot, take the bus, etc there’s no need for it. Just causing more problems and I’m realizing that now….