Anonymous wrote:Does anyone try to start out with like a basic flip phone, essentially calls only and maybe slow texting? It is that not really an option any more?

You can still get them, you have to look around. Good as a first phone or if you only need it for emergencies. My kid was embarrassed about it and hid it in their backpack 😄 but at least had it when needed.

Both my kids got them at 10 when they started going to the pool on their own. There is wifi there so we didn't turn on cell service until they were 11 and going on the bus to school.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone try to start out with like a basic flip phone, essentially calls only and maybe slow texting? It is that not really an option any more?

Yes. All my kids start out with a flip phone, where they can call 911, me, and their other parent.

Anonymous wrote:Does anyone try to start out with like a basic flip phone, essentially calls only and maybe slow texting? It is that not really an option any more?

m
Not an option.

Does anyone try to start out with like a basic flip phone, essentially calls only and maybe slow texting? It is that not really an option any more?

Wait till 8

My 7th grader will probably get one next year. Right now, there’s really no reason to since everyone is home and no one goes anywhere.

When they start getting themselves to school. Anywhere between end of 4th grade and beginning of 6th, depending on maturity and independence levels.

I'm delaying as long as possible, but I agree with pps. If they are out and about, a phone is useful. By middle school, it's a given kids will gave phones at least around here.

8th grade for my teen, when we dropped him off at the wrong location and he had to call us using one of the rare public phones still in existence; and probably 6th grade for DD next year, since she'll start similar activities and we've learned our lesson!

mine got theirs in 7th or 8th grade. When I needed to be able to call them!

Around my neighborhood, 6th grade - when they head off to middle school on their own using public transportation.

I am curious at what age is a cell phone justified?

I had one in 1999 when I turned 16, but it was obviously at that point for safety...call us when you get there type of thing. Texting wasn't really a thing yet, and this was a Nokia phone so it was long before smart phones.

Most of my friends still called the landline at my parents house, so I just have no idea what is normal for kids in today's world.