By Kavita Varma-White
What's the right age for a kid to have a cell phone? Is 8 years old too young?
The subject came up on TODAY this morning, when a viewer asked Kathie Lee and Hoda about a situation where she criticized a friend whose 8-year-old had a cell phone. She asked KLGH if stating her opinon was the wrong thing to do.
Kathie Lee's advice: "You can't parent other people's children unless you are specifically asked for advice. It's just opening such a can of worms."
TODAY's Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb chat about how old children should be before they get a cell phone.
We agree with Kathie Lee on that. But what about the cell phone age dilemma?
In our family, our eldest got one at age 10, in the middle of 5th grade. Our rational for that age: We wanted her to get used to it (read: get over the novelty/fascination of texting) so that it wasn't a distraction in middle school. The plan worked for us. She's now in 7th grade and, while she uses her phone to text friends and family (rarely to call!), she isn't obsessed with her phone. In fact, much of the time we have to remind her to take it with her so that we can reach her if needed.
Another friend of mine recently went back to work after being a stay-at-home mom, and felt her 8-year-old son needed a phone because he would be walking home alone from school.
Another friend is holding out, and still hasn't let her 11 year old get a phone. Her claim: "She is never somewhere that I don't know, so why does she need a phone?"
Live Poll
What age should a kid get a cell phone?
Bottom line when it comes to phones and ages: Different strokes for different folks.
What do you think is the right age for a kid to get a cell phone?
Kavita Varma-White is a Seattle-based writer and mom of two very busy tweens. In between cheering at numerous soccer and baseball games, she's a contributing editor for TODAY Moms and MSNBC.com.
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