Moms Talk Q&A: Child's First Cell Phone

Moms Talk is a new feature on Eldersburg Patch that is part of a new initiative on our Patch sites to reach out to moms and families. We invite you and your circle of friends to help build a community of support for mothers, fathers and their families right here in Eldersburg and Carroll County.

Each week in Moms Talk, our Moms (and Dads) Council take your questions, give advice and share solutions, by offering their answers in the article and continuing the conversation in the comments, with you.

Moms, dads, grandparents and the diverse families who make up our community will have a new resource for questions about local neighborhood schools, the best pediatricians, 24-hour pharmacies and the thousands of other issues that arise while raising children.

Moms Talk will also be the place to drop in for a talk about the latest parenting hot topic. Do you know of local moms raising their children in the Tiger Mother's way and is it the best way? Where can we get information on local flu shot clinics for children? How do we talk to our children about the Tucson shootings? How can we help our children's schools weather their budget cutbacks?

So grab a cup of coffee or tea and settle in as we start the conversation today with a question all parents face: "At what age should a child receive their first cell phone?"

Comments on the issue: 

Jenny Lai: "My goodness I dunno. I would say it really depends on the child and why. I would say not until at least 16 years old. But then again if my child was out a lot with friends and at the mall and over other friends houses then I would say maybe 13. I am speaking from someone who doesnt have a child btw."

Mary Maher Ellis: "My 12 1/2 yr old 7th grader is definitely in the minority without one. We said at 13 we would talk about it. She is never alone, that is, without one of us, a friend's parent or a coach, so if an emergency arose, someone could help her. However, this is the way kids socialize now. Safety/emergency reasons for getting a cell phone may be a parent's purpose but kids "need" it to get in touch with their friends."