Hi S., my kids are 18, 16, and 13. I have a plan where all four phones have unlimited everything (including text and internet) through AT&T for about $200 a month. We cancelled the home phone ages ago.
They are all a little different, my oldest didn't have one til 8th grade, you youngest had one in 3rd grade.
We have not run into any problems. They haven't lost them, broken them, misused them, gotten in trouble for using them at inappropriate times, etc. But they are great kids with huge grades and don't have issues following the cell phone rules.
I understand the are many parents with cell phone issues, but there is always SOMETHING the older generation thinks is awful while the younger generation can't live with out.
You need to come up with a set of rules YOU'RE comfortable with. In fact, if you don't want him to have one, that's OK too.
Facts are for me, I REALLY like being able to be in constant contact with them. When to pick them up, I text them randomly when they're at different functions I can't be at with them.
Our main rule is that when I text or call they had BETTER answer it. They seem to be able to understand when it's appropriate and when it's not. Yes, they text their friends a lot (personally I would've LOVED to be able to have such easy communication when I was a kid), it does not interfere with the things they need to get done.
I also know a lot of parents who use the cells for discipline, kid screws up, phone is the first thing to go.
When I was a kid, my mother didn't think we really 'needed' a home phone, after all when SHE was a kid not everybody HAD home phones.
I have heard of the health implications you mention but have not noticed any with us.
Btw, your son is right, it IS unusual for a 14 year old to not have a cell, least the 14 year olds we know.
Good Luck, hope this helps!
:)