First there were luxuries and necessities and people thought before spending on luxury items. Now most of the luxuries have become necessities. One of them being the cell phone.

Almost everybody has a cell phone today, but we do often wonder when it is the right age to give it to a child as it does have some harmful effects. The right age to give it to your child is when he/she is nearing the age of ten. Children now a days go for numerous classes, often one after the other. It is around this age where they start hanging out with friends and doing movies and lunches with them.

They start wanting their own space and do not want you hovering around them. They often go by car pools, cycling, walking, or with a driver for their numerous classes. If they have a cell phone you would be more at ease about their safety. Anything can happen at any time and in the case of children nobody wants to take a risk. In case they are going to be late they are able to call and inform you. Sometimes you are stuck in traffic and are unable to get to them on time.  They need not worry as they can be in constant touch with them.

Start with giving them a used phone and once you realize that they are responsible enough you can get them a new one. It would be a good idea to start making your child collects money to invest in the new phone. After they collect a bit you could provide the rest. In the beginning it is better to inform them that you would be checking their messages so that you also are confident of how they are using it.

It would be good if you make your child use a hands free at all times while talking. Explain them why it is necessary and the ill effects of using a cell phone by putting it directly on the ear. If they forget the hands free tell them to then use the loud speaker option. As they are yet young tell them to limit the calls and their talk time and that it has been given to them as a necessity and not a luxury.