Parenting: How Young is Too Young For a Cell Phone?

Today’s dads (and moms) struggle with a common problem: What age is appropriate for children to have cell phones? 58% of 12-year-olds and 73% of 13-year-olds now have cell phones, according to a study that the Pew Internet and American Life Project conducted in April.  Although parents usually purchase their child a phone for safety reasons, kids use their mobile devices mainly for social interaction with friends.

No matter what age your child is, it’s important to set restrictions for your child like limiting minutes, text messages, and access to the Internet.

To find a cell phone plan with parental controls, visit AT&T’s Smart Limits,  Verizon’s Parental Control Center, Sprint’s Parental Controls, or T-Mobile’s Family Allowances. Parents should also consider purchasing a pre-paid phone which allows parents to buy and load a set number of minutes onto the device without a contract. Other companies like FireFly and Kajeet offer phones designed specifically for children and come with free parental controls.

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