Cellphones are a major part of today’s society – allowing people to stay connected to one another while also providing a world of knowledge at their fingertips.

But at what age is it appropriate for a parent to get their child their first cellphone? That was the question posed in a poll on Alarm.com. About 2,000 mothers questioned said that 12 years old is the earliest a child is ready to have a device.

“I think 12 or 13 is a pretty good guess for a lot of children,” says Eileen Kennedy-Moore, author of “Kid Confidence.”

News 12 New Jersey asked viewers what their thoughts were about the subject. Many said that it depended on the child and their circumstances.

“If your child tends to not use good judgment about social situations, they’re not going to be magically better on a cellphone,” says Kennedy-Moore.

Today’s phones do more than just make calls. They allow access to social media, as well as potential dangers lurking on the internet.

“You may need to do some monitoring and you definitely need to do some teaching about what is and isn’t appropriate behavior on a cellphone,” Kennedy-Moore says.

Kennedy-Moore says that the bottom line is that parents just need to get involved in their children’s lives and online activities.