Q:  When should my child get a cell phone?

Wrong question.  Better question:  How should you, as a parent, transition your child into responsible use of a cell phone?

My name is Dale Wisely. I am a clinical psychologist who practiced  child and adolescent psychology for many years.  I now head the Student Services department at Mountain Brook Schools in Alabama.   For over 10 years now, I have provided a number of free services related to parenting teenage drivers and I have a large website on the topic.  My parent-teen driving contract, which I have given away for many years, is available on that website and is one of the most widely used parent-teen driving contracts available.  

I've applied that experience to develop an approach for parents to deal with cell phone issues in their kids.  (By the way, if you're wondering what I'm going to sell you--I'm not selling anything.  This is all free and I don't even sell ads on the website.)

This little website is in response to two things that are going on at the same time:  

(1) More and more parents are giving their kids cell phones at younger and younger ages 

(2) There is mounting awareness that kids can use cell phones that can get them in serious trouble.   

We've all heard about "sexting," texting while driving, cyberbullying, and so on.  While parents are often aware of these problems, they often want their children to have cell phones for safety or convenience.  It's a dilemma.  I've developed a common sense approach.  It's offered free.  It's customizable.  Parents who think it is too strict for their child can make it looser.  Parents who think it's too lenient can make it stricter.  Here's a summary of the program.

1.   "phasing in" cell phone use.   I call this "Phase I." 

2.  When the parent feels it is appropriate to provide a cell phone to a child, he or she enters into an agreement, preferably a written contract between parent and child.  This contract addresses appropriate and inappropriate use of cell phones.  I've provided a free and straight-forward contract.  I call this "Phase II."