I just bought a cell phone for my 6 year old son. Is it just me, or is that just a little to early?

(Been checking around and it seems to be pretty normal, and his mother kinda pushed me into it.)

Why does a 6 year old need a cell phone?

if its one of those firefly mobile phones for kids that only lets them call mom, dad, and home

im totally ok with that. but if you went to a major carrier and got him/her a phone, youve lost your mind

I agree with Kates, why exactly does a 6 year old need a mobile? There is no need for it. They should be concentrating with their education and getting to bed early to refuel their little brains, they don't need phones to microwave them. I think anyone under 12 doesn't even need a phone, what do they need one for? It's not like they are going out every night getting wasted and need to call in a taxi. I'm just saying, why at age 6? Surely your son and many other children out there can wait till their 13, or a more mature and responsible age to have their own belongings such as a phone.

Thats just my opinion and everyone is welcome to their own. Every parent brings up their children differently and their is of course no right or wrong answer, but I would have waited 6 more years at least.

Well. He get's taxi to and from school (payed for by the government). And she wants to be able to call him just in case.

But about waiting until he's 12. heh. Well. Here in Norway. If you don't have a cell phone by the age of 10, then you've done social suicide.

And lastly. Yer. I got him a real phone. Not some kiddy phone. It cost about $330 . It got 10 built in games and it's own game button to start them. and if you turn it on it's side, it's got it's own buttons to play games with.

Considering my phone costs $1200 , it's not that bad.

But it's also very light. So it's not going to break if it falls on the ground. But I did get him a "Ring kontant kort" (Call Cash Card)

Meaning you fill it up before you call. I filled it up with $50. I think I'm going to make it part of his allowance. Just not sure if I should get him a $25 fillup card a week, or a $50 card a month.

It sounds like its a pretty cool phone. Maybe this means you saved yourself buying a PSP :P

If you now say he has a PSP anyway I think im going to cry at my own depravity! haha

Uhm. No. But I have gotten him a Nintendo DS.

Teach him how to drive. Sorts everything out.:)

lol. He'd love that....

But I'm not so sure social-services would.

"If you don't have a cell phone by the age of 10, then you've done social suicide."

I find this most disturbing.

Actually, you can put restrictions depending on your cellphone carrier. I've heard stories on the news where children would get lost or kidnapped and they would call the police with their phones. Also, there is a gps navigator built in to most phones now which adds an addition safety feature.

I don't make the rules. I just try to make sure my kid has a good life.

And we all know kids can be cruel.

I'm not blaming you, Titus, for your participation in a society in which 10 year olds have cell phones. I understand the pressures of kids wanting to be cool, and the pressures of parents that want their kids to be cool. I'm just lamenting that this means children running about with cell phones when they can barely read, and the possible results of that sort of world.

uhm. barely read? do you mean the 6 year old? then I agree. if you mean a 10 year old. Then I'm kinda wondering about the quality of schools in your country.

i agree with Kates. My 6y/o wants a cell phone for when she starts school all because a few kids in her ballet class have them. No way in hell Im giving into her demands. Shes a child, cell phones are not toys. I'm hoping that I can teach her that.

I was referring to six year old, yes :p

Ragnarok: That is your choice. But personally I try to teach him correct values without destroying his social life. Times change. And phones are now part of life just like a watch.

to each is own, you're 100% correct.

Cell phones for kids, can understand those ones were can just call home, but wow reading this makes you feel like the world is crumbling, never needed a cell phone when i grew up if i grew up in today's world could easily get away with it, whats the big deal about being in certain social groups, shouldn't we let our kids choose there respected groups, not teaching them to care what others think as that causes several social problems.

Our bank accounts will have to close, have all our possessions repossessed just so they can hang out with a bunch of know it all kids that wont amount to anything as they weren't brought up to do things them self.

had my rant for the day :)

My kid can hang out with anybody he wants. I'm not trying to make him popular. I'm just trying to make sure that option isn't closed just cuz of me.