What age should kids be given mobile phones?

21?

Whhen they can swallow them

My kids were given them at the age of 9 - at that time they only did text and calls though. The aim being to allow them to go out and explore their neighbourhood but still be in touch with their nervous parents. We took the view of letting them know the world isn't scary as being more important than the slim chance of some loony doing something to them.

In hindsight this has worked extremely well and they are both now confident and happy young adults.

Would I do it again with current mobiles? Probably - but I'd be a lot more nervous about what they had access to and what data was being gathered about them. This brave new world of 1984 is starting to scare the crap out of me...

21 - That was my instant thought before I saw Eloise had suggested same

I think it depends what the particular circumstances are in relation to the child.  Just thinking about sense of safety, security and maybe back up, in that situation for me no child is young enough for the mobile phone if the child is able to use it.  The above situation is specific maybe to specific situations eg foreign parts where danger lurks more openly, or young child going out with others to clubs where compromising situations may arise which may in a detrimental way effect the child, or child gets lost in new areas etc....   

14 months seems to be the average around here. Take pacifier away, give cell phone.

10 for a basic phone so they can go out and about and stay in touch.

13-14 for a smart phone, depending on maturity.

I have three boys 10,13 & 15 and it seems to be OK, they need devices at school from 9 where they are supervised and have to have a laptop at school from 11. 

We gave ours a basic phone when they went to secondary school at 11, and around them hitting 14 both moved on to whatever the current iPhone was for them. It's one of those life markers, moving on to the next level and we were both quite relaxed about it. People have phones these days and use them to run their lives. Putting them outside of their peers didn't seem like a good move.

Worth bearing in mind that with smart-phones worried parents can track where their kids when they are carrying one, though I suspect the more savvy kids know how to disable this feature.

As for when kids can operate the phone, while out for a coffee with some of the family at the weekend I was stunned by my youngest grandchild - barely a baby at 13 months. He's reached that stage where he knows how the be naughty and was winding up his mum by throwing food from his high-chair.  He was handed over to his uncle who decided to entertain him with his iPhone.  Grandson's behaviour immediately changed. A look of concentration came onto his face and he started jabbing at the screen, quite clearly knowing that that's the way it works.  Mum said this was normal. Scary to think how all this stuff is being learned before walking and talking! 

A lot of wise words. And one mustn't forget the progress of technology almost symbiotic with societal change.

i mean imagine the 'issue' a parent in 2040 will worry about?

I think all children should have a phone as soon as they are happy to pay the phone bill...