re: What age should a child be handed a cell phone?

My 8 year old daughter asks for one atleast every few days. We've decided on 6th grade when she is old enough for after school activities. Her school allows them to be dropped off in the front office by the students each day. I'd entertain getting her something earlier if it were not a smartphone.

Stepson got one at 8, but it was not a smart phone and he had a crazy mother who moved him across the state. It was our only means to reach him until we got full custody at 9. After that we used it to reach him when he visited his mother. He got an iPhone around 7-8th grade.

Kids never need phones late at night. It took until he was 17 that we allowed him to not place it in the kitchen on the charger each night.

We are strict parents, but so far it's working. Also, phones are my property and I'll dig at any moments notice. Don't answer and I'll shut it off then you won't get it for a month. Crack it and your paying for screen replacement. Case off and it's mine...god we're assholes.