Parents Talk: When Do You Give Children Cell Phones?

This week the Patch Parents Council talks about cell phones.

When is an appropriate age to give your child a cell phone? Do you do so for safety reasons or to have a line on your kids at all times? Is it a matter of teaching them responsibility? Or do you have other reasons?

What about iPhones, iPads and other smart technology? Many babies and young children have turned to playing with their parents' smart phones instead of toys. Have you experienced this? What are your thoughts on getting children to use smart technology?

Patch's feature, "Parents Talk," is meant to help build a community of support for families in Fairfield County through active discussion of important issues. Each week, we'll introduce a new topic and hope you'll participate in the conversation, which will be moderated and furthered by select parent council representatives in your town. Comment threads will close after the weekend.

Please use the comment box below for questions, or to share your experiences and the lessons you have learned. Please also submit questions or topics for future discussions to Associate Regional Editor Liz Mitchell at liz@patch.com and Regional Editor Michael Dinan at michaeld@patch.com.

And if you'd like to join our parent council, let us know.