My oldest got one summer before 8th. Middle got my old iPhone the first day of 6th because he was taking a bus and playing a lot of sports so it was important for safety and logistical reasons. We will do the same with our youngest.
My oldest begged for a phone sooner. She insisted everyone had one. I didn’t believe her. I ignored her pleas and patted myself on the back for standing my ground. But shortly before I gave in we were at an event where the kids had to turn in their phones at the start. I watched as every single girl but my daughter dropped her phone in the basket. I later came to realize that she was also left out socially as the kids use them to make plans to hang out. I regretted waiting so long.

My advice is to allow the cell phone but provide an old one (no need for the latest and greatest iPhone) and set firm limits on social media use.

My 6th grade boy will not be getting one anytime soon. He’s way too immature. My goal is to wait until summer before 9th.

Nope our 6th grader doesn't have one, doesn't need one and won't be getting one on our dime anytime soon.

And not sure I understand all of this stuff about needing to check in with your kids all the time or tracking them.

Sure there were payphones when we were kids but I don't ever recall using one to call home - any change would have been spent at 7-11 on penny candy before we made it to a phone.

My very scheduled kid knows how to get to and from school, baseball, soccer and his friends houses on his own and neither he nor I need the crutch of a phone. He only needs to call if he isn't going to be home in time for dinner which is easy to do because everyone else has phones - both cell phones and land lines.

His walk/bike to school is just under a mile and I"m confident he could have done the walk alone at 7 to say nothing of 11.

It really is not only ok to say no to your kids but sometimes a good idea.

Started her off with a prepaid flip phone , then onto an iPhone after she was able to keep up with the flip phone

My 6th grader does not. No plans to get one for now. Most of her friends have them

No our kid does not and won’t until at least the end of 8th. We have a landline for home use and kid has a watch so we can track whereabouts, text and do a quick (poor quality) call if needed.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only a flip phone. Not a smart phone with apps. It’s the old fashioned one in the Adele video. No kid should have a smart phone. Kids are legally not supposed to be on Sohail media until age 13, and then it depends on your child.

Also, an interesting article came out in The NY Times that wealthy parents are keeping their kids off of screens. Middle class and lower class are being sold phones and screens more, and are starting to become disadvantaged because of them. The currency of the future puts a premium on actual,people skills...which is something the middle and lower clases are already losing.

This. I don’t understand why parents are buying their kids or letting their kids have a smart phone at a young age. All evidence points to it being harmful. If your excuse is I need to reach my kid, buy a flip phone.

We’re not buying a flip phone rather than giving Mom or Dad’s hand me down. No excuses needed.

You can get a flip phone for less than $100.

Yes my sixth grader has a cell phone. Most of her friends do as well. First, School pick up is like a lord of the flies. I normally have to call or text her when I arrive at school to let her know where I am, just so she can find my car ( I cannot get out of the car, and have no idea how I’m supposed to compete with the other parents who are screaming through their windows to find her children ). Second, she’s actually had to have texting for a group projects this year. Kids are required at her school to leave their cell phones in their lockers during the school day. So, it’s not like you’re caring them around all day and looking at them during class.

Anonymous wrote:Yes. She takes the public bus home, and I want her to be able to call me. When I was her age, I was easily able to find a pay phone if I needed to, but those have largely disappeared.

Same. Got our DD a phone when she started taking the public bus home (middle school).

DS12 has a flip phone. Says he's the only one without a smartphone. I believe it. Too bad.

No. DD wants one, of course, but I’ve told her that she will get a phone when I feel like she needs one. She’s in 5th grade.

My 5th grader has a cell phone. So does every kid in her class.

We got her one in 4th grade when we were rezoned and she started having to walk home from school (gave her a ride to school most mornings). It just made me feel safer to do Find my iPhone each afternoon when school let out and watch her walk home.

No. Probably not in 9th grade either, based on his add and behavior.

My 6th grade HS son is far too inmature for a cell phone.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My fifth grade DD says she's the only one in her class that doesn't have one. As far as I know, it hasn't affected her social life. She knows she has ways to go because her sister in 8th grade doesn't have one yet. Our policy is that as long as you don't go anywhere by yourself or go where a phone isn't readily accessible, you don't need a phone. 8th grade DD will be starting high school and will be getting to and from school on her own so will soon get a phone. They do have wifi only ipads and can communicate with friends. We also have a landline.

+1 from a mom of a 5th grade DS (and yes, many kids in his class do have phones)

The only difference between an iPhone and iPad is that you can make calls on an iPhone. Which makes the iPhone a huge advantage. I much prefer my daughter having the phone over the tablet.