if you have older children...a question for you re: phones
The posts about feeling old, got me thinking about something. DD has asked for a phone, and we immediately said no. She's in 2nd grade, and really there is no need for her to have one. She then asked if she could have one when she's in 6th grade and I told her we'd have that discussion when she's in 6th grade. Growing up too fast, she is. 
While my immediate reaction was that's too young, I got to thinking. When I was a kid, there were pay phones everywhere. Now-I can't tell you the last time I saw one. I didn't have my first cell phone until I was 30 (maybe even older) but the times...they are a-changing! I started paying attention and it seems like there are more young children (well, middle school probably) with phones. The neighbor girl (6th or 7th grade) even told me she had a phone just like mine! 
So, my question is - if you have an older child, do they have a cell phone, or if not, what do you think is the right age for that?
Re: if you have older children...a question for you re: phones
My kids are little but I wonder about this. Back in the 90's my BFF'S little sis wanted a pager for Christmas and I was aghast. I was like, 'she's 12, not a doctor.' She got one then moved onto a cell phone a few years later.
Grumble, kids these days, grumble grumble.
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Second grade is way too early to be a responsible phone user. It's not a toy.
I figure it's appropriate when your child starts to leave the house without you for longer than a few minutes and is not closely supervised by an adult. Maybe middle school age.
I do not have older kids but thought I would add my 2 cents anyway. My nephew had a cell phone this year at age 12 and he lost it in a relatively short time. My 10 yo niece does not have one yet but she can't keep track of anything. I realize that some children are more responsible than others. If I were in your shoes I would hold out until middle school when the child is away from the house and without as much supervision like Bride Buddies stated.
Our rule is middle school age, because they stay after school for activities and go out with friends. This way they can contact me when they are done or something was cancelled.
We first did this when the oldest had to walk 4 blocks home from the bus stop and we had several pedophiles in the neighborhood. I worked so I couldn't pick her up so this was our way to feel safer.
Thanks for the feedback, everyone! When she asked about 6th grade, and I said we'd talk then, I was really thinking inside, 'No, that's still too young!'. But...when I started thinking about it - my two kids will be in different schools on different schedules (what if I mess up picking up one of them, or am running late getting my younger one and she gets home w/out me there, etc), and if she starts after school activities w/out me present, I may have to rethink my answer. It was sooooooooooooooo different when I was her age, but that was many, many moons ago.
Sigh....can't she just stay 7 forever??
That's exactly how I feel and why I told her no! I had a good chuckle that she even thought it was possible and worth asking.
DS doesn't have a phone. When he can pay for it himself, he can have at it. I'm not paying money for an expensive toy that plays games, goes on Facebook, and does a million other things aside from making phone calls and texting. Not necessary. We have a cheapy pay as you go that they all share if they are going to be somewhere where it will be hard to grab a courtesy phone or pay phone, or if our house phone goes down (occasionally the power has gone out in a storm). It's $10 a month. It doesn't go to school, ever. Same rule will apply to all the kids. Oh, and if they lose it, they better have money in savings to replace it, because I won't.
I had a cell phone at 16, and I paid the bill. Can't hurt to learn some responsibility.
Oh, in case you haven't seen this yet, it's fantastic.
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/janell-burley-hofmann/iphone-contract-from-your-mom_b_2372493.html
I know its funny, but I got my son his first cell phone when he was 8. It was a trak fone, so I could monitor how many minutes were on it, and if it got lost or stolen no one could run up my plan etc...
I wanted him to have it mainly for emergencies and for sleep overs with his friends (who knows what kind of monsters other childrens parent could turn out to be-lol )
WE had a lot of rule about having it, but he did good with it. Then my Dh and I went through a divorce and I was very glad he had a cell, it really helps with communication. good luck in your decision.
We are raising our nieces who are 13 and 18. They were almost 10 and 15 when we got them. Oldest had a cell phone already and it was needed with the situation at home. Once she came to live with us however we put some major restrictions on it (you can set times through Verizon). During off times she could contact us only. It was off during school. After school it was on for a total of 1 hour and off again from 9pm-730a. As the years have gone on (she is now a senior) and she has earned our trust and is doing well in school we have increased her time. Now that she is 18 she has no restrictions as long as she does well in school and is ready to go in the morning.
Little one is 13 and has been dying to have a phone. There has been no need for it. She is always with someone who has a phone and when at school she can use there phone. On top of that she needed to show us responsibility which has improved over the last few months (she called her boyfriend from a hotel room last spring and racked up $45 not realizing it would cost money. This is after we told her that if she wanted to call her little BF that she could use our phone )
She will likely get a phone for her 14 th birthday but again with major restriction and text/call only. When they can pay for their own phone/plan they can do whatever but no smartphones while we are paying for it. Oldest is realizing how expensive it is now that she is looking to get her own smart phone.
I think it depends a lot on the maturity /responsibility and situation. If parents are divorced and there are issues it might be a good idea. My friend's kids had a phone at 8 or 9 but they could only call a few select numbers and no texting.
Agree. I have a 12, 10, and 2 year old. I gave a cell phone to my oldest as she started middle school. It has been great for her to have the phone to coordinate afterschool activities. Middle school in our town starts in 6th grade. I am glad she has it --- and so is she
In today's age....I want my kid to be able to get a HOLD of ME incase of an emergency!! She got her cell phone in 3rd grade. It was gifted to her (w/o our concent) however it is a blessing. I have FULL access to her phone emails etc. Phone is turned in to me at bedtime and returned in the AM.
For us, its a safety thing and support. Im just a text away or call away from being there for her. Especially now that she is in 6th grade. I am super proud to be available. I get a text every single morning from her before she shuts it off when class starts and at the end of the day when she is in aftercare.
Is your 2nd grader on her own very often? Ever? So goes the justification for a cell phone. DS1 will be in first grade next year and I cannot imagine him asking for a cell phone let alone me getting him one.
I think a cell phone is ok once your kid is on his or her own for any amount of time. So, if you let your kid walk to the store on his own, a cell phone is ok. If you or someone else is always supervising him, then no phone.
No, I may not have been clear. I have no intention of getting her one now, in 2nd grade. That's not even up for discussion. There is no need. I was wondering when middle school hits, do people find that's reasonable and the norm nowadays? My initial reaction was no to that as well, but then the more I thought about it, the more I wondered if I'm just still living in MY era of middle school (when nobody had them). I will have to wait and see what the situation is when middle school rolls around.