How old should a child be to be able to use/own electronic equipment?

Cell phones are over rated and I don't think they should have them till they can work and pay for their own time. Age 16 min for a cell phone.

As for their own electronics I say it depends on how they respect their stuff (including their room). Most kids unless they don't have a computer and a desk don't need a laptop until they are using it for school projects and studying.

My son is 4 and he has his own DVD player and an old Nintendo but he knows how to treat them. (amazing really) He puts the DVDs back on the shelf when he is done and turns it off when he is not using it. He keeps the games on his book shelf and the remotes tidy.

Ipods well again that is something that they need to know how to respect and keep safe. It isn't something cheap and again maybe if you make them work for part of the cost by doing extra jobs around the house they will respect it even more knowing they have worked for most of it.

I think kids should have a cell phone when they are old enough to go to school. Seriously, what if he/she needs to get in contact with you? In this day and age its a nesesity. Cell phones weren't really too common until I was in about 4th grade.. and thats when I got my first one. I think by about 8-10 they can handle an ipod. I know plenty of kids around that age who have and take care of ipods. I don't really think a little kid needs a laptop. They can use the family computer. I'd say get them one when they go to college.

Cellphones: Not until 18. Kids shouldn't have cellphones. They are disruptive in class and are status symbols. There are payphones to use. No normal kid has a cellphone. They can live without them. I did.

As for the other stuff: It depends on how they respect things. Some kids are not mature enough to respect electronics and break them easily. Others can. Maybe 10 or 11.

I had my first radio at 8 years old.