1997...I was 18, a freshman in college and it was around the time cell phones were getting smaller and everyone was getting one. At that time I also got my first job, so I was responsible for paying my own monthly bills. At that time I was paying like $29.99 for like, 300 minutes + unlimited weekends or something like that.

I don't know when it'd be an appropriate age to get a phone. Kids these days are so spoiled with technology and the like, but if your stepdaughter is responsible and she's able to "pay" for her bills by doing chores around the house, then maybe getting her a phone won't be too bad, especially if her dad wants to keep tabs on her. 13 isn't so bad, I think. 5th graders and elementary school kids though? Now that's crazy...they shouldn't be hanging out away from their parents for long periods of time anyway.

From 9th-12th grade in HS I had a pager, and while I didn't have a job then, I did errands and chores for my mom in order to "pay her back" for her taking care of the pager bills.