by Aster C. Lilly

Created on: March 07, 2007   Last Updated: July 30, 2011

There are a few things to consider when deciding when to give a child a cell phone.

1. Responsibility

Can you trust your child to do chores? If your child has a responsibility to wash dishes, walk the dog, and clean their room on a regular basis, then most likely they will also be responsible with a cell phone.

2. Why do they need a cell phone? Safety vs. social aptitude

Children, especially teenagers, want to talk on the phone with their friends. For many kids, owning a cell phone goes along with driving and other adult responsibilities. One of a parent's worst nightmares is not being able to contact your child; despite their independence.

If your child has a legitimate reason to own a cell phone, then by all means purchase one. For instance, a big concern of parents is safety. Being able to be in instant contact with your child can ease the concerns of many parents.

3. Can your child contribute to the cell phone bill? 

If a child demonstrates good financial responsibility, and expresses interest in paying for their own cell phone bill, this may be more reason to get them one. When I was a child, I had a paper route, and the money I earned on that route was a good lesson in personal finance. You may want to use the cell phone as a way to teach your child that "Money doesn't grow on trees".

Hopefully these suggestions will help you decide when to purchase a cell phone and plan for your child.

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