i agree with getting a cellphone for a teen who is beginning to go out and starts driving its an important accessory to have in case there's an accident or some other sort of trouble but i'm sorry there is absolutely no need to have a cellphone at school. First you see your classmates/friends in the hall and you dont need to call them, second you dont need to call your parents to tell them anything, in case you do theres always the nurses office the deans office counselors office and you can request to speak in confidentiality. between school and home your parents should generally know your route and if you divert from it at a reasonable rate it will not be bad. but a cellphone in the hands of an 8yr old is pointless just like in the hands of my 11yr old cousin the concept of which i still dont understand.