I would hold off if for only th latest research coming out of eurpoe about the potential hazards of cell phone radiation. Yes, I know, we are all bombarded with radiation of all kinds, but some studies have made a direct connection with glioma's to the side of the head on which users talk on their cell phones, while being specifically cautionary about the child's brain still developing and thus being more susceptibale to any potential risks. Finally, I will note that a number of noted neurosurgeons have gone on record as to not holding phones close to their heads, and this includes Dr Sanjay Gupta for the skeptics among you.

Please tell me who on the planet an 8-year-old needs to be speaking to on his own cell phone? Maybe I'm out of touch at the ripe old age of 28, but isn't that a little young to have the privacy and independence a cell phone allows? Why not let your kid communicate like kids have been communicating for years - by yelling for his friends across the street or across the yard?

No. No. No.

I think it depends on the kid. If she can't even keep track of her Nintendo DS, I certainly am not going to give her a phone. I've told my daughter that "middle school" is the magic time when we'll get a cell phone. I like your warning that the kid's idea of a cell phone and my idea may be different. Kids are probalby thinking iPhone.

she has a point what is the harm?

Who does the 8 year-old need to call? Is this child's life so busy that he has to take a call while hanging upside down from the monkey bars? Will he be calling these people when he should be paying attention in school? Will you be back here to report how inconvenient it is to have to appear at his school when the-powers-that-be want to discuss the telephone with his parents? Will you be polling the blogship on the fairness of the cell provider's policy concerning lost phones (show me an 8 year-old who can find his own shoes) and the usage/cancellation/charges associated therewith?

Rukia, please read the first comment above.

"What is the harm?" How about just encouraging a child to grow up too fast? Doesn't anyone think that will be an effect? Let kids be kids!! They grow up too fast anyway!

The only reason I'd give my child a cell phone at that age is for the gps tracking. If they are lost or, god forbid, kidnapped - if that phone is on, it can be found. Any other reason? Bah. Its not needed at that age. When they start getting phone calls 20 times in an afternoon from friends, THEN the cell phone comes into play. *laugh*

Children at that age have no use for cellphones. They should wait until they have busier lives such as High School age. Also, children should learn the responsibilities of paying for the phone themselves, not having their parents pay for it. I'm only 23 and I didn't get my first cellphone until I was in High School, and I had to get a job to pay for the bill.

I just really think this is ridiculous. I'll say it again and again, Children at those ages DO NOT need cellphones.

Both of my kids have had the pay as you go versions of cell phones for about 2 years now. One of my kids are 12 and one 8. The reason why I think it is nessesary for them to have phones is because when they go to a friends house some have home phones some do not. People don't answer thier phones anymore. Here I am trying to get ahold of my kid and no answer.

I think it's just wrong,there's no need to be putting our kids under so much pressure...being a kid now a days seems to be very hard work we don't need to make it harder..the cons that go with giving an eight year old a cell phone way out number the pros my opinion.

NO! Beyond what everyone else has said, having a phone, in my opinion, is teaching these kids bad manners. They can become rude, self -absorbed and ungrateful. I have seen this with other kids -- talking on it at in appropriate times, always being on it no matter what is going on, not appreciating the cost of it (why should they, they don't pay for it), etc.. Yes, I have 2 children, 9 and 5. My 9-yo asked me when she was going to get one (not if). I told her when she could pay for it herself.

A cell phone is not a toy. Our children have received a cell phone usually in about eighth grade, when it has become necessary, as they are becoming more independent. We have purchased cell phones primarily as a means for family communication, not to chat with friends or to play games. It is very useful as they are participating in extra-curricular or social activities. They can call when they need to be picked up. Most eight year olds are not being dropped off and left at soccer practice or at the mall with friends - at least I hope not.

I'd trust an 8 year old with a cell phone more than a teenager.
Anyway, the only way I'd let any child of mine have their own cell phone (be they 8 or 15) would be if the only phone calls they could actually make were to designated numbers, such as to mom, dad or grandparents. People to call for emergencies. That's it.

Here is my 2 cents worth of what I think.

I think 8 is too young to have a phone in general. Most 8 year old children are not that responsible to remember phone etiquette. Also a phone in the classroom is a major distraction. I sit in my college classes and see so many people texting and not paying attention to the instructor- that it is ridiculous. And by the way it is rude.

My daughter is getting a phone this summer due to being 12 and in middle school. But here is the catch...
It will be a basic phone. No text messaging, or internet services. It is to be use to contact us (her parents) or her older brother if she needs help. If she wants to talk to a friend for a long period of time then she will have to use the house (land line) phone and reserve the family plan minutes for Mom and Dad who use their phones for work.

I can see if a younger child is in a bad neighborhood or school and needs to be able to contact someone for help, needing to have a phone. But to just have another "toy" to play with is not a good thing.

What about just having the extra phone activated and keeping it in a drawer? That way if a situation arises where the parents feel the youngster truly may need the phone, they take it out of the drawer and give it to them for that event only. No rules about them getting to carry it all the time. But, with blended families, active spring sports schedules and parents who commute (yep that's me!) there are occassions where my 11-year-old having a phone with him would be helpful. Understand though -- not his phone. MY phone that he gets to use.

Wow, how about when the responsibilities warrant it. Why not wait until they are babysitting or being dropped without parental supervision and NEED it since there are no pay phones anymore. I tell mine that if they need to call me they can look to the left or the right and borrow the cell phone of the parent I sent them with. It is ridiculous and causing so many dangerous scenarios. A FIFTH grader sent pictures of herself to BOYS! at 10, imagine that!!!!!! Why do we keep pushing these kids to grow up just so we look like we are the cool parents who can give our kids everything$$$?

My 8-year-old son has a friend with his own phone. He uses it almost exclusively for the games and ringtones, and seems not to abuse the privilege. On the other hand, there's no way my kid's getting his own phone. So, as usual, the answer is: It depends.

This is ridiculous! My kids are 12 and 9 and do not have cell phones but all their friends do. When they are 16 and driving I will think about letting them carry one around for safety. Until then, forget it! Let kids be kids and try not to take away their innocence too early.

For parents with more than one busy child getting dropped off for lessons and activities or riding school buses and carpooling with other families, a cell phone can add a huge measure of convenience, safety, and a feeling of security. I don't worry about radiation because it's all about texting now! My 9 and 11 year old text each other, they text me whats happening, and they stay on top of school assignments by texting with their classmates in the evenings if they've been out sick. I can't remember when the last time was that either of them even put their phone up to their ear. They treat their cell phones like gold, as they should. For our family, kids having cellphones is essential.

When I was in elementary school, I was always required to call from a friend's house if I wasn't coming straight home. But nowadays people might not even have old-fashioned phones. With a cellphone, the kid can call from anywhere, even if he was playing outside with friends, and also you can call him if he doesn't come home when he should, because kids that young may get distracted by a lot of things and won't realize it might make their mom feel worried. Just because someone has a cellphone doesn't mean they'd have to make a lot of calls, I don't even use it every day. Mostly I just check the time and use it as an alarm clock.

I have a 9 yr old. He begged me for 2 years for a phone becuuse his friends had one. We got him a $10 track phone for christmas. It doesn't have any fancy features. It came with double minutes. We haven't had to put any more minutes on it yet. The phone came with everything you need, wall charger, car charger, case, & headset. (I use some of them) He also aquired rules with the phone. We programed only family #'s on it and told him those were the only #'s he could call. That it was for emergencies and to call us while at friends houses. Their parents rarely answer the phone. Most of his friends live two streets over and he takes a shortcut. We have been letting him go by himself and it works out great. He calls us when he gets there and when he leaves, so we know he makes it when he's supposed to. I didn't want him to have one for a long time, but not being able t o get ahold of him was aggravating. He also knows that he can only take it with him after school and on weekends when he's not with us. He has followed the rules with no problems. He's just glad to have his own phone and he knows if he shows responsibility, he can have a better one when he is older.

WHAT!!! I was at an elementary school yesterday picking up my friend's child. There were kids outside playing with their cellphones....I think kids should get a cell when they are old enough to pay for it themselves...that's when I got one!

I didn't have a cell phone until I was 19 and in college (and that was because we didn't have a landline-couldn't afford it and my dad was paying for my cell). I don't think kids need a cell phone for talking and whatnot. They could be used for emergencies. If a child has a cell phone they can reach the parents any time. Also if something were to happen, the cell phones can be tracked. But kids don't always listen to 'only call in emergencies and don't call friends'. My MIL gave her daughter (16) a cell phone (one of those ones that you get cards for when you need minutes or every 3 months). The minutes were gone within a few weeks (she had over 400 minutes). At 16, she should have listened to the 'only use in emergencies or to call me(the mom)'. But even at 16 a kid doesn't listen sometimes. I think if a child is responsible or if you can block numbers or something, then it's better. That's just my opinion. When my husband and I have kids, we won't give them cell phones unless they are very restrictive and can only call a few numbers (us, 911, few other family members). It's not that we wouldn't trust our kids, we just would rather be safe than end up with a high cell phone bill at the end of the month.

I believe that a child as young as eight, DEPENDING ON UPBRINGING, could be trusted with a cell-phone. There are plenty of REALLY cheap prepaid phones out there, many of which do not have cameras or the ability to picture message, and can only buy games and ringtones when credit-card information is called in, preventing the child from running up charges. The big thing that prompts me to feel this way is how few homes have land-lines anymore. I know many families with children who have switched to cell-phones only, but where does this leave the older child (10-11) who doesn't have his own cell-phone? He doesn't have a number his friends can call, and if he happens to be home alone for a few hours (latch-key kid, anyone?), he has no way to call his parents, or emergency services, if something goes wrong (or to call mom/dad/911 for help if he is lost or in a dangerous situation, such as being followed by a stranger while walking home from school (which happened to me, and the tragedy that ensued might have been preventable if I'd had a cell-phone)).

I bought my daughter a cell phone for her 9th birthday. The reason I did this, is so I can stay in touch with her when she's at her fathers. We set out rules first; only call the people in her phone (family), no text conversations, and no taking it to school. This was a great responsibilty to her, and she has never broken any rule. It has also been a great convenience to me and her father.

My son is in the 8th grade and he recently got a cellphone. I placed stipulations and various rules along with him getting the phone. He must maintain a 3.0GPA,no phone usage during meal-time(family time), and church.Our school system prohibits students from having phones on during insructional time so he is allowed to bring it to school but it must remain in the principal's office until dismissal.He is subject to periodic phone checks as we deam necessary. If he does not stay in line we take his phone. But most importantly since he wanted a cellphone he had to find a job to earn cash cuz mama and daddy not paying for it. He helps his grandma every saturday cleaning the church making $50 a month and during sunday church service he records service and recieve's $10 per service..He pays his own bill and bought his own phone.I'm not against children having phones but they must be responsible and age appropriate.

I think that unless you are in someone else's situation, you should not criticize their choices. My 10 year old has a phone. We chose to get her a phone so that she can keep in touch with her cousins and her friends that live elsewhere. (We recently moved and changed her school that she had been in since kindergarten.) We chose not to have a land line and her phone only adds $21 to our bill (of which I get a 20% discount on for being a state employee.) She knows that she is not allowed to take it to school and she knows that she does not have unlimited text messaging. AS far as her paying for it, I do not make her pay for rent, electricity, food, clothes, dance, softball, etc. What is wrong for paying for her phone? Most of us as a kid had little luxury items that others didn’t have, and we didn’t pay for them. My daughter is respectful, makes good grades, and does everything she is asked to do at home. I do not see any problem with her having a phone. She also knows that if she breaks the rules the phone can be taken away from her.

To each his own.

An 8 year old does not need a cell phone ... Many of the previous comments mentioned the kid having a phone to play games --- Is it really necessary? An 8 year old should be in school, playing sports, playing with friends (supervised by adults) or home --- Why do they need a cell phone? I feel when a child is @ the age to ride their bikes in the neighborhood or walk home "alone" (in a group) from school or hang-out @ the movies/mall they should be given a cell phone to check-in & God-forbid in case of an emergency-(About 12-13 yrs). As far as a child not having a home-phone if alone ... First of all a child younger than 12 yrs, I believe by law cannot be home alone & if for some reason a family chooses not to have a landline, perhaps a cell should remain @ home for communication needs. And when the child is given a phone it should be a sensible choice by the PARENT -- all the "bells & whistles" is not necessary for a child & they will likely lose it a few times too. A camera/picture phone & internet access etc. in my opinion, should not be given until they are 17 yrs old. (maybe camera @ 15-16 yrs) I dont believe there are parent controls on cell phones & the child just doesnt need it!!! Give them something to look forward to when they get older ... Make them earn it!!! In addition, I think GPS locators should be available in all phones (not just the expensive cellphones)- to be activated in case of emergency by law enforcement {Maybe charge monthly fee as "parent tracking device" so the kid thinks their parents are psychic when they are caught in a lie-{Lol} - along with distress code signals to emergency services because having the ability to call may not be enough if the child is unable to provide their location or able to talk @ all... Sorry -- Maybe I watch too many crime-dramas ;-)...

I just ordered a used cell phone for my 8-year-old. That's because she took the bus to a caregiver house not long ago, and the caregiver wasn't there. This was because of a miscommunication and that arrangement will not happen again, but it scared both of us and I want her to be able to call me in case of emergency. She is a responsible and trustworthy child, and the phone is a used, basic no-frills cell phone whose use will cost less than $5 per month. She knows it is for emergency use only. I see nothing wrong with that.

I think it's fine to give a child that age a cell phone -- as long as it's the kind that only calls the parents and 911. They don't need one for texting or chatting with friends.

I think 8year olds and older sould be able to get a cheep cell phone and not get one when their 16 and be able to get them between 8 and older!!!

Wow I am so glad I found this blog. My daughter has a birthday 4/13 and I have been going back and forth whether to get her one. For the simple fact her father and I shared custody and her father and step mom can not seem to get along. One night she snuck his cell phone and texted me to come get her at 7 years old when I showed up unannounced to pick her up they asked why I was there. TOld them I got a text from our daughter. I had to show him my phone to see the text cause he could nt find it in his. She already knew how to delete the text. I found it amusing. Kids these days are way advanced. Id say if it affordable go for it. But you can set limits for call usages web and monitor incoming and outgoing calls

The great thing about a prepaid cellphone id that you can limit the amount money that can be spent on calls. You can give your daughter a phone and you can contact her at ant time( as long as she does not loose the phone) but she can only spend what you allow her on calls.It is a tough decision as to what age is appropriate.

i cant get a phone and in 5th grade

Im 13 years old and i have read almost all these comments . I have two younger sisters .One is 13 and the other is 8!
Me and my sister didnt get phone till we were 12 and we in middle school doing spaorts ..Thats the only reason we got a cellphone .Well come a year later when the littleest one tuned 8 she opend up a phone :)Now she neve uses it and yea whats the harm but thats 10 more dollors that you really dont need to be spending on something useless and i lose my phone alot and have to find it and im 13? what sports are 8 year olds in or were are they going alone with there friends ? Are you really ganna send a 8year old girl alone to the movies with out supervision or to the skateing ring ? Does she have to walk home from pratice or after school ALONE!! NOOOO that 10 dollors can go to food or toys .I can remember in 5th graDE the house phone was my cell phone everybody called there for me and i called them from it and you would always no who it was by caller id . Or we would walk to the friends house to see if they were there and if they could come out and play. We didnt txt them and ask

oh my god, an eight year old doesn't need a cellphone! when i was eight, i didn't have a cellphone. i didn't need it! let kids be kids. they don't need a cellphone. they just zone out on the internet, and games, and makes it where they have no imagination. i'd wait until they were 13 or 14 before giving them a cellphone. they don't need to grow up so quickly! that's just my opinion.