The allure of getting your first phone can be an exciting time for anyone of any age. The idea of having your own device to call and text people on can be rather exciting. A cell phone is not only an outlet for contacting others but a form of independence for teenagers as well. They allow kids to branch out and explore the internet from anywhere they have service or Wi-Fi. There are ways to explore music as well as interests in areas such as photography. Having a phone provides a gateway to many areas we wouldn’t normally have access to.
Along with having a phone comes great responsibility. The price of the phone alone can be a scary thought as well as the cost of getting it fixed should it break or have problems. Most parents are not going to invest too much money in a first cell phone as they know many things can happen to it and it will be the first experimental cell phone. This all comes into play when considering getting a cell phone for a kid.
I believe a kid should get their first cell phone at 14 years old. While this may seem like an older age than most, I believe it is the safest age for many reasons. At this age, many kids will be in their high school stages and this is a time when most of their peers will already have cell phones of their own. To prevent a child from feeling left out from their generation, getting a cell phone will allow them to be part of the greater picture.
Any younger than 14 will comprise a child’s ability to grow and explore and just be a kid. Technology seems to overtake many children of this generation and it is sad to see parents being part of the problem. If a kid is getting a phone in middle school or maybe even elementary, I feel there is a deeper problem overall that steams from the parents. Kids should be kids while they can and not try to conform to every belief of their peers.
I chose the age of 14 for many reasons. Along with being in high school, kids like to hang out and meet up with one another, and a cell phone is a great way to do this. Without access to a cellphone, kids would be forced to wait until they got to a home phone to be able to make calls to plan a future outing. Cell phones allow groups of friends to make group chats and constantly stay connected even while they are not still in the same vicinity. Group chats allow for instant contact as well as a platform for new ideas. These chats are often experimental and creative, a reason for a child to want to participate in one with people they know.
Many reasons for getting a phone have to do with the social wellbeing of kids regarding the age of obtaining their first cell phone. Not only does social status play a large role in this acquisition, but also personal safety. For me, I like to have the security of having a cell phone on me when I have to walk home or be out in unfamiliar areas.
Having a cell phone allows kids to keep their parents up to date about their whereabouts as well as when they can be expected back home should something come up. I think that cell phones provide a certain piece of mind to parents that is much needed in this crazy day and age.
Kids needs to be kids before they get their first cell phone and miss out on that window of opportunity to explore. Credit: Wikimedia Commons
By allowing kids to have cell phones, we are allowing them to provide us with information regarding their safety and wellbeing. I believe this is one of the many reasons parents will buy their children cell phones since it does provide some sense of relief knowing your kid is okay and safe.
Another argument about children and cell phones that comes up is the actual type of phone. Parents can either purchase a smartphone or a cell phone. A cell phone would likely be the most basic model available for a child and would limit their ability to do much outside of texting and calling. This can be an option for some as the internet can be a scary place with no limits and parents may want to protect their children from it.
A phone can be for the sole purpose of calling and texting and taking limited amounts of pictures, but I know many kids like myself would prefer to have something a little more advanced. This is where a smartphone can come in to fill the technology gap. A smartphone, in contrast, can be purchased which will make surfing the web a breeze. Smartphones expand the limits for children regarding exploring all it has to offer. This can be a major difference for parents when contemplating which to purchase for their child.
Overall, I find 14 to be a solid age for children to get their first cellphone, whether it be a smartphone or just a regular flip phone. It is up to the parent to decide what is right for their family and what they feel comfortable with.
Money is another factor when considering getting a phone for a young one. The actual cell phone has a fixed cost as well as the monthly expense for texting, calling and data. This can be a source of financial strain for some. Therefore 14 is a good age as it saves money from not paying for one in the prior years. Many cell phone services do have family plans available for multiple lines; these can help save costs incurred from the acquisition of a cell phone.
An interesting concept in our generation is the age at which we got our first cell phones. We were the first generation to have smartphones at such a young age, and I find it interesting to see if our generation will be more or less lenient due to our experience with them.
