When is the Right Time for your Children to get their First Cell Phones ??

When they can pay their own cell phone bills is probably the ideal time for kids to have a cell phone.

I always felt it was important that my kids weren't behind with what's now considered a necessity and/or normal. Some things I simply couldn't afford, but by 14-ish they both had their own phone subscription, probably a bit sooner.

First time they got one was when the eldest was 11 -just one phone- as I had to work after my divorce and that way we could get in touch with each other if something was up.
I worked during school time as much as I could but sometimes I couldn't pick them up on time. I felt a helluva lot better when they had a phone.
I think it progressed from there.

So I'd say... when it's considered normal for kids to have one.

I felt it was important to be able to be in touch, so as soon as they started going
over friends houses and riding bikes all over the neighborhood, etc. For me,
the peace of mind the phones brought outweighed the cost.