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Youngest age to have an iPhone
- Thread starter macintosh.apple
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I think parents should decide that on an individual basis based on need, maturity and other factors
In other words, no set age
In other words, no set age
Well, i'd imagine there are some laws about contracts for minors at least in the UK - so it'd be when to get a PAYG vs just giving them a Touch and a phone for emergencies etc. You can hand old handsets down I guess - Do kids prefer a iPhone mobile to a bike these days?
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When I get a new phone this year my original 8 GB iPhone will probably be worth $100. I'll probably give it go my three year old daughter.
However, it will won't have phone service, it will basically be a touch with speaker. She'll have it for listening to music, and probably a few apps. She already spends hours listening to the Jackson 5, Diana Ross, temptations, sam and Dave, etc. This way she won't have to use mommy and daddy's newer, more expensive phones.
And she won't really have free reign of it. We'll control when and how she uses it. She watches zero tv, so I think music and photos on the iPhone are ok entertainment.
However, it will won't have phone service, it will basically be a touch with speaker. She'll have it for listening to music, and probably a few apps. She already spends hours listening to the Jackson 5, Diana Ross, temptations, sam and Dave, etc. This way she won't have to use mommy and daddy's newer, more expensive phones.
And she won't really have free reign of it. We'll control when and how she uses it. She watches zero tv, so I think music and photos on the iPhone are ok entertainment.
He said individual basis. So in other words there is no answer for that question because it can be a case by case scenario.
I personally think that once someone has a job and can pay for it themselves they are old enough to have one. Until then, they can have the free with-contract phone like all of the other children.
I used to work at a camp and some of the kids had iphones. I think the youngest I saw was a third grader.... Most though were in middle school
A Cell phone should be manditory for anyone of driving age. I chose 16, but depending on the need, it could go earlier. At the very least, someone younger could have an iPod Touch, so if you needed to contact them, it would be possible via e-mail.
TEG
TEG
For an iPhone? If I trusted that my child was mature and able to care for the phone properly, maybe sixteen. Cell phone in general? I'd get my child a cell phone when they began needing one--such as if they were in an organized sport, and I wasn't there all the time, so they could call me when they needed a ride.
I saw a group of 11 year olds from my old school wandering up the road the other week, all with expensive touch screen phones and thought "pah they don't need those!". I feel so old.
I don't really see the difference between an iPhone and any other phone beyond the price. I'd vote 12/3 for owning your first mobile but I could be behind the times there. My 15 year old sister has a £250/300 phone now (My brother's old phone. And before that she had my old phone. She's doing pretty damn well for someone on £10 a week.). If I upgraded my iPhone I'd give her my old one quite happily
I don't really see the difference between an iPhone and any other phone beyond the price. I'd vote 12/3 for owning your first mobile but I could be behind the times there. My 15 year old sister has a £250/300 phone now (My brother's old phone. And before that she had my old phone. She's doing pretty damn well for someone on £10 a week.). If I upgraded my iPhone I'd give her my old one quite happily
Agreed, I see tons of brats with them who don't appreciate the value of a dollar and just expect mommy/daddy to get them stuff
I'm 20 now but when I was their age 14-15 I didn't even have a phone, I got a tracfone when I was 16 and I thought that was better than nothing at the time 
I would say 14 or so, cuz that's when they're usually a freshman in high school. that's when kids would first start needing some of it's features, like email, cuz colleges will start spamming them. it could also be helpful if they're doing a sport or some after school activity and may need a ride home or to let parents know where they are and when they will be home. I got the original iPhone for Christmas of my freshman year the year it came out and more and more of my friends have gotten it too, and I'd say it's made things like I mentioned much easier
18. Then they could pay for it. If they have a job earlier and can pay the bill then I would say a little younger.
Completely agree.
This would be a good rule of thumb.
But still differ to MacDawg's comment,
At the age they know how to use it. iPhones or any smart phones are going to become the new standard phone. I also don't know why so many people believe you only deserve an iPhone if you work for it....
My vote went to 18. I was a late bloomer as far as cell phone go compared to the rest of my friends, at 16.
I do understand the points about using new tech to stay in touch with a kid, but when it comes to the iPhone and the overall cost of the phone, I do not believe a 12 year old or a 16 year old has to have an iPhone.
I do understand the points about using new tech to stay in touch with a kid, but when it comes to the iPhone and the overall cost of the phone, I do not believe a 12 year old or a 16 year old has to have an iPhone.
Maybe because some of us grew up in poor households and had to work to help the family.
Something as expensive as the iPhone (initial cost and service) would have been impossible for my family to afford. Even a regular cell phone would have been considered a luxury.