Too Young for a Cell Phone?

Many parents wonder what the right age or time is to get their child a cell phone.  There are probably many different views on this issue. That being said, there are a variety of factors to consider and alternatives to a cell phone as well.

Here are a few items to consider when determining whether or not to get your child a cell phone:

1)      Do they really need it?

a.      Are they frequently away from you or other people’s parents and need to reach you?

2)      What are they going to use it for?

a.      To call you or friends?

b.      Text you or friends?

c.      Check email?

d.      Play games?

e.      Watch You Tube?

f.       The calendar?

3)      When are they going to have access to it?

a.      After school?

b.      Mostly at home?

4)      Is your child going to have a hard time not playing with it all of the time?

Answering these questions can help determine the necessity of a cell phone for your child.

In addition, if your child is going to use a phone primarily at home or when you are present, here are a few alternatives to a cell phone:

1)      Ipod touch

a.      This ipod is essentially a smartphone without the phone. When connected to wifi, one can use most iPhone apps, setup a free Google Voice account and have a cell phone number to call/text from and be reached at, and use most other functions that a cell phone has.

b.      The main drawback is that it cannot be used as a phone unless connected to wifi. For some children, especially if mainly using the cell phone at home, this can be a good way for parents to restrict use by deactivating internet access when not allowed to use it.

2)      Ipad/Ipad Mini

a.      An Ipad is essentially a large iPhone. For wifi only versions, children can use most cell phone features when connected to wifi. If you want your child to use apps that require internet access on the go, you can purchase cellular enabled iPads and obtain a data plan for the iPad. This can be a useful alternative if the child would be using the technology mostly in your presence.

Here are a few benefits of a child having a cell phone:

1)      Can always reach them/they can always reach you

2)      Can use apps to request a check in/know where they are

3)      Good for staying organized with the calendar, task apps, and other useful apps

4)      Can use parent features to deactivate cell phones at certain hours each night.  

Here are a few drawbacks:

1)      May spend too much time playing on it.

2)      More privacy at a young age to speak with peers.

These are all items to consider when deciding if you should get a child a cell phone. In general, it seems that most elementary school students (especially Kindergarten through fourth grade) probably aren’t away from their parents or other adults enough to truly need a cell phone. If a child rarely needs one, parents could always purchase a non-smart phone with few features to be used for emergencies only. When children begin middle school, they typically start to spend more time away from parents and if this is occurring, it may make more sense to start considering getting a child a cell phone during this period. Of course, monitoring a child’s cell phone use is important. Therefore, look at your child’s actual needs when determining whether or not to get them a cell phone or a suitable alternative device. 

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Dr. Carey Heller is a licensed psychologist with The Heller Psychology Group LLC in Bethesda, Maryland. He specializes in work with children, adolescents, and families, and is happy to answer questions and provide consultations for individuals who are considering pursuing treatment, an evaluation, or other services for their child, adolescent, or themselves. Dr. Heller can be reached at (301)-385-2610 or careyheller@thehellerpsychologygroup.com.

*Disclaimer: The previous information is intended as general guidance based on my professional opinion, does not constitute an established professional relationship,  and should not replace the recommendations of a psychologist or other licensed professional with whom you initiate or maintain a professional relationship*