It depends on your child's maturity level, not necessarily their age. My son will be 12 shortly, and I certainly wouldn't get him contact lenses. My daughter started wearing contacts when she was 15, however, she showed the maturity and level of responsibility needed to wear contacts.

I have just experienced this whole situation and agree with others that it really depends on your childs maturity. I disagreed with buying my step son contacts because he never was responsible in wearing his glasses. Doing this because it makes them feel better was mom reasoning which completely gives your child the wrong message. Dad and I lost that battle and the contacts were bought....2 days later 1 was torn and the other lost....2 days later she bought the second pair......3 days later they were both lost. He now has glasses and like any other prescription you would purchase for your child make them take it. Dad and I both require the glasses to be worn all the time.. We will try contacts at a later date. Keep in mind that contact can cause infection and damage the eyes if not taken care of properly.

Hi! I'm a contact lens technician and have worked with a number of children that have worn contacts successfully. If your child is in sports, contacts are a wonderful idea. There is alot of care that goes with wearing soft contact lenses, but if he/she is a responsible young adult and wants contacts not for TREND, but for valid reasons, then by all means try them. We have fit children as young as 9 for prescription purposes. Good luck! A good tech will be able to tell if he/she is a good candidate by the first fitting.