When Should Children Have Cell Phones?
Colorful used cell phones appeal to kids
With more people replacing land lines with cell phones, (and with phones becoming increasingly appealing to children), it’s becoming a discussion: when is the appropriate age to give kids cell phones? While certainly it varies by family situation, there are issues of maturity, safety, and cost to consider.
- Used cell phones can cut into the cost of giving kids access to their own cell phone. Used cell phones are a fraction of the price, and due to hipster fickleness, used cell phones are often available in the models that are hot right now.
- Having kids share a used cell phone as needed can also help teach responsibility, since they will hold each other accountable as well, and it can limit the cost of adding multiple lines to a plan.
- Interested parents can also find older models of used cell phones, which can be a way of limiting their kids use of the cell phone (limiting internet, or by getting a phone that pre-dates smart phones).
- Having kids pay for their phone line can teach them about responsibility and the value of a dollar. Many plans let you add lines to a family plan for as little as $10 a month.
- Finally, used cell phones remove some of the worry that a kid will lose or break the cell phone. Since used cell phones are cheaper and don’t require contracts or fees to purchase or upgrade, you can replace a phone, or reward a responsible child with a newer used cell phone at your own pace and for a fraction of the price.
For what other moms are doing, check out this article.
