How young is too young?

Do any of you have an opinion on how old kids should be before they can get mobile phones? Any more, I see kids who haven't even gone into junior high walking around with their phones attached to their heads.

Thoughts?

__________________
Live your life, do your work, then take your hat.
-Henry David Thoreau
The hat is the ultimum moriens of respectability.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes

I think 15 should be the right age for kids to start having phones. By then they should know the value of money and are just starting to have a little independance so a mobile could be useful

12-13 sounds ok to me - my niece has one but it 's a pay-as-you-go which she tops up with her pocket money - when it runs out it run out...good trick to make her value money IMHO

It really does depend on how mature the kid that has the phone is and the reasons for getting them a phone. Really I think around middle school is a good age.

12+ is my opinion, anyone younger has no real use for it. Unless they are left alone alot for some reason.

There shouldn't really be a set age at where a kid should be able to get a phone. Most parents I think are getting their kids phones for a security feeling. They can keep track of their kids easily by calling them (most of the time for free) on their phones. It's a good idea, in my humble opinion.

True, security is a good reason for a cell phone, especially if a kid gets lost. So thats a very good reason.

I like the pay-as-you-go idea for younger callers. It seems like a good way to both make the kids learn to manage money, and to give them an incentive to go out and earn said money in the first place. It only works when the kids have to pay with their own money, though.

I think I've just got a grudge against young kids.

__________________
Live your life, do your work, then take your hat.
-Henry David Thoreau
The hat is the ultimum moriens of respectability.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes

Good point hat man, never thought of that. With the pay cards you don't have to waste the monthly bill if they rarely call.

I think once they start going out by themselves they should have a phone, pre-paid cards & they can always contact you if in need of anything.