How old should a child be to have an iPhone?

My 11 year old has been begging for an iPhone 4S because all of her friends have iPhones. All of her friends have iPhone 5Cs and all sorts! Should I get her one? How old should she be?

I'd say 9th grade at the youngest, so 14/15. Sure they can have a cell phone younger than that if they NEED it, but why a really expensive one that they will likely break or lose? Give them a smart phone once they've demonstrated their responsibility and when you know it won't be a waste of your money.

Depends, do you think she's mature enough to handle the responsibility of an expensive piece of electronic equipment? Do you think she'll be able to follow ground rules about usage, so that she's not up until all hours of the night texting her friends? Have you spoken to her about internet safety and privacy, how she should never chat with or "friend" anyone she doesn't know in real life, and how she should *never* send pictures or videos of herself to boys?

You know your daughter best. Her having a phone may be convenient for you since it means you should always be able to reach her (not to mention tracking apps, so you'll always know where she is), not to mention the fact that a phone is a *highly* coveted privilege that can be taken away when she misbehaves. But at her age there should definitely be some solid ground rules about how and when she uses her phone, and what for. Maybe it would help to talk to some of her friends' parents and see what the rules of their house are.

Is she a trustworthy child?
iphones aren't durable.

Depends how trustable he/she is. I would say the minimum age to get one should be 13.

It's a new generation young people have been brought up on technology. I was given a old phone at 11 yrs old as I was told it was for emergency purposes. I think you should see how much she takes care of her phone before giving her the iPhone anyway the longer you wait the cheaper it will become xx

When she is old enough to pay for it herself

Never. I'm anti-Apple.

As to that, I suppose it depends upon how responsible she is, and how much money you are willing to spend on a phone to keep up with the Jones's.

I have a friend who's bought her daughters expensive phone, after expensive phone, as they aren't careful with them at all. Her youngest, got an iPhone last year, after begging for some time, and within 2 weeks had broken it, and expected her mother to replace it, because even though her mother was out of work, money grows on trees.

I did not get an iPhone until I turned sixteen; my parents said it was something they were not going to pay for. They did not have trust in me, or believe that I would be responsible with it.

I think eleven is too young for an iPhone; they are delicate devices, and expensive.

If she wants an iPhone I'm sure she can wait a few years, until she can show some level of responsiblity.

Those are free with my carrier.

So i guess the question is does she already have a phone? If she does then a out of date iphone isn't that big of a deal.

When she's earned the money for it herself. Kids need to learn some self discipline, they're so soft and weak these days.

I'll come right out and say it. Yes, she's too young for a smartphone, let alone a late model iPhone.

It's not just the expense of it; it's the notion that at age 11, she thinks it's important to keep up with her friends. Sure, kids want to conform, but that's never a valid reason to chase material goods. I'm also betting she has friends who do not have these yet.

If you start her down this road now, what happens when she's 14 and and wants an iPad Air? At 16, will she be crushed if she doesn't get a new car?

YES GET HER ONE NOW SHE WILL LOVE YOU I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO NOT HAVE WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS