Do’s & Don’t’s of Giving Your Child Their First Cell Phone

Getting your child their first cell phone is the new rite of passage! But you must set some rules! Denise Hutton, of U.S. Cellular —the nation’s fifth largest full service wireless carrier, joins us on the show, and offers plenty of insight and tips on this subject. What is the average age for a child to get their first cell phone? According to a U.S. Cellular survey of smart-phone owners, the appropriate age for a child to get a cell phone is 13. Five years ago, that age was 15. The survey also found that kid starts asking for a phone at age 11. And if you already have rules in place regarding your child’s phone, you’re not alone, according to that U.S. Cellular survey. And many of us also monitor phone usage. And wait ‘til you check out this: U.S. Cellular has a Better Moments Parent-Child Agreement, covering safety and etiquette, to help you pull in the reigns. And it’s customizable. Rule #1: Don’t chat or talk to strangers. Tune in to The Balancing Act, for so much more. You don’t want to miss it!