Perhaps another question to ask is how many people only have cell phones, because I think that drives the need to give a phone to your child. If you shift your lifestyle to no longer have a lan line, why not have a phone available for your child? I certainly wouldn't let my kids have a phone at school, but I see nothing wrong with them being able to use one at home at any age. And since most of the families of the friends my elementary school kids play with only have cell phones, I would not be opposed to letting my children have their own phone, that they knew how to operate, on a play date if they needed to call home. You would be hard pressed to find a pay phone anywhere these days. In fact, given the rate of advances in technology, I'd prefer my kids to learn how to use multiple types of phones in case of emergencies. Of course I'd be more inclined to give them a Jitterbug vs an iPhone.

I think the decision to get a child regardless of age depends on the needs of that child's family and the ability of that child to keep up with electronic gadgets. We got our kids their first phones in 6th grade and they were certain that EVERYBODY in their grade already had one. Now, I am hearing more as early as 5th grade having access.

I agree with Debbie Johnson that every situation is unique. My daughter got hers when she was involved in activities at school where I wasn't sitting at the practice, 6th grade. My son got his a bit younger, but it was because his BFF's parents didn't have a home phone line and didn't answer their cell's and I wanted to be able to get to him.

I also agree that it depends on the family situation. My children are in Kindergarten and 4th grade, and I don't feel that either of them need a cell phone. My older son frequently asks for one, but so far I haven't given in. When he is in 6th grade and coming home to an empty house may be when I give in - although we do have a land line. Of course his phone will be a phone - not an iphone, droid or anything like that. No texting or web access yet!

We've told our 10 year old that he can have one in 6th grade. He will then be in middle school with more opportunities for extracurricular activities which might entail staying after school and coordinating pickups. However we have told him that it will just be a cell phone with a letter keypad and have no access to the internet. He does try and convince me weekly how in 5th grade it could help too, but we are going to make him wait.

Thanks Patch readers for your comments thus far - very enlightening point of views -

Liz Kennedy, Editor

I agree with most of what everyone has said. We haven't had a LAN line for several years. The kids use my cell phone currently when they want to call a friend. My 3rd grader asks frequently about having his own. We initially told him that we'd discuss it when he is 10, but the truth is we are considering it. Why? Because like above posters stated: Most friends' families do not have a LAN lines anymore, and sometimes the parent is not able to get to their cell. We've missed several "playdates" due to situations like this. Also, his BF moved out of state, and it would be nice for him to call him without tying up my line. Another reason is because he is a trust-worthy kid, who often rides his bike in the neighborhood. He's usually good about checking in, but if I needed to get a hold of him, this would give me another option. We've tried long-distance walkie talkies, but the battery dies really quickly. Good walkies cost as much as getting a phone anyway. He is very very aware that if he is given the privilege of having his own phone that there will be rules and restrictions to it's use. He definitely would not be allowed to bring it to school at this age.

Just for information- LAN is a term that means local area network for creating links between computers either by wifi or Ethernet/USB. You are all referring to "land" lines, which is our traditional phone networks that we typically have in our homes.