DD was given an iPhone at 12 …. long story short, glad we did because we have used this past two years to teach responsible smart phone use, i.e.. data usage, inappropriate messages, pictures, etc., friending and unfriending and all the ramifications that come with the lovely part of teen socializing and so many other things. My sister commented the other day that she would never have given her daughter such a phone when she was that young and then I realized, our daughter is incredibly responsible with that device because her father and I took the time over the last two years to work with her, even over the smallest of things, to get her there …. they will need your proper guidance to learn how not to let that "thing" take over their lives … good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My children did not get smartphones until college - when they could pay for the upgrade to include a data plan.

When did your kids go to college? A lot has to do with the technology at the time. Smart phones were not as readily accessible 5 or more years ago. Heck, the first iphone was released less than 10 years ago. So, yes, if my kids were in high school in 2009, they might not have had a smart phone until college. Not the case in 2016.

Exactly, pretty well every kid over 11 has a smart ohone here.

Of course, you have to question why the OP is so misguided as to give an iphone. Get a decent phone, Samsung Galaxy Sx series!

iPhones are rubbish in comparison.

Anonymous wrote:She got her first phone at 9 or 10 - because she was taking the train to school an hour away alone. First iPhone at 12 - summer before 7th grade.

Minimal rules - I can check it at any time, don't send nudes, tell me if anyone sends her any, don't bully people or be mean, etc. Be careful with people she doesn't know.

Brilliant aproach, sane and thought through, expect you'll be crucified for it.

Age 14. He did walk to school and go around the neighborhood without a phone. He needed to tell me where he would be. He got a cheapy phone in 9th grade since he was going to HS on the other side of the city and I did not want him to be mugged for his phone. There have been issues with kids getting mugged for their phones in our NW DC neighborhood.

DS has upgraded once last year when we switched providers/plans, but he has a Samsung. DS had a fifth grade classmate lose her $600 iPhone on a class field day 3 blocks from the school. A lot of money to lose...

Phone rules:
It has to leave his room at night.
He MUST answer any call from us.
We get to check it and we have his password.
No downloads that require extra costs.
It has a locator app.

Anonymous wrote:Oy vey you people are crazy. There is no need for a 10yo to have a phone.

Because there are so many payphones on the soccer fields around town? Because your ten year old never goes anywhere alone and never forgets his key? Ok.


No reason for a ten year old to have a snazzy phone, but a basic tool for communicating with mom and others, ten is about right.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Oy vey you people are crazy. There is no need for a 10yo to have a phone.

LOL! I remember being you when my child was younger.

Hahah, right! My how things change. lol

Anonymous wrote:My children did not get smartphones until college - when they could pay for the upgrade to include a data plan.

When did your kids go to college? A lot has to do with the technology at the time. Smart phones were not as readily accessible 5 or more years ago. Heck, the first iphone was released less than 10 years ago. So, yes, if my kids were in high school in 2009, they might not have had a smart phone until college. Not the case in 2016.

Mine were 13.

Anonymous wrote:Oy vey you people are crazy. There is no need for a 10yo to have a phone.

LOL! I remember being you when my child was younger.

Anonymous wrote:Oy vey you people are crazy. There is no need for a 10yo to have a phone.

My (10 and 12 yo) kids are allowed to walk/bike to their friends house and to the library and the grocery store and to the park. I prefer that they have a phone so that I can call them if I need them to come home early.