Cell phones are a piece of technology that make our lives easier. I think when to give that technology to a child is dependant on many factors, but I think it all boils down to get them a phone when it makes your life easier. My older son was 15 when he got a phone, and that was also about the same time many of his friends were getting phones too. Some were younger and some didnt get them till they started driving. The younger son was 14 but I was ready because he has so many after school events it really is easier to arrange rides home and give approval before another event when he got his own phone. As long as you can afford it and the convienience and peace of mind are worth it to you, that's the time to get children a cell phone. I would not get them one just because the child asks for one, or for them to be in touch with their friends, but that's just me. My boys still use the house phone to chat with friends.
What age is appropriate for cell phone use?
02/28/2012
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While they could misuse the phone, It also can help them in an emergency. Now, I had a phone when I was 12, And well, at about 14 I 'misused' it by sexting.. So, saying teenagers won't use it for that is the opposite,but if you teach them not to, it will be less likely to happen.
Originally posted by
jmex83
My step daughter and step son are obsessed with the idea of getting a cell phone. They are 8 and 10. My wife and I think that they should wait until they can buy their own phone & minutes by earning money from chores and jobs etc. What do you
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My step daughter and step son are obsessed with the idea of getting a cell phone. They are 8 and 10. My wife and I think that they should wait until they can buy their own phone & minutes by earning money from chores and jobs etc. What do you think? At what age did your child get their first cell phone and why? Did they pay for it?
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02/29/2012
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That's what i'd do, too.
Originally posted by
- Kira -
I would get my son one of those Disney phones at that age. They have four buttons - one for mom, dad, grandparents, and the police. That way they have it for EMERGENCY use only. They can't text and talk a $300 bill up. I plan on doing this as
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I would get my son one of those Disney phones at that age. They have four buttons - one for mom, dad, grandparents, and the police. That way they have it for EMERGENCY use only. They can't text and talk a $300 bill up. I plan on doing this as soon as he is old enough to stay overnight somewhere other than with family.
For a real cell phone, I say when they can pay for it themselves. My friend's brother just got his 8 year old a cell. Really? She's 8! less
For a real cell phone, I say when they can pay for it themselves. My friend's brother just got his 8 year old a cell. Really? She's 8! less
02/29/2012
I think it's appropriate as soon as they have opportunities to get in trouble with their friends away from adult supervision and might need help. A cell phone can be really handy to have if, say, you find out that the person driving the car you're in has been drinking or if someone you thought was a friend starts turning bad. So, between the ages of 10 and 16 I'd say. I didn't really have a social life until I was 16 so I didn't need one before then.
02/29/2012
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My son's phone does not have text on it. One because I am not paying extra for it and Two so he don't misuse it. But the Disney phone is a great idea for people to try out.
Originally posted by
- Kira -
I would get my son one of those Disney phones at that age. They have four buttons - one for mom, dad, grandparents, and the police. That way they have it for EMERGENCY use only. They can't text and talk a $300 bill up. I plan on doing this as
...
more
I would get my son one of those Disney phones at that age. They have four buttons - one for mom, dad, grandparents, and the police. That way they have it for EMERGENCY use only. They can't text and talk a $300 bill up. I plan on doing this as soon as he is old enough to stay overnight somewhere other than with family.
For a real cell phone, I say when they can pay for it themselves. My friend's brother just got his 8 year old a cell. Really? She's 8! less
For a real cell phone, I say when they can pay for it themselves. My friend's brother just got his 8 year old a cell. Really? She's 8! less
02/29/2012
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I think that is absolutely too young to get one unless you feel the need to keep tabs on them yourselves. But if not there is no reason they should need phones at their ages.
Originally posted by
jmex83
My step daughter and step son are obsessed with the idea of getting a cell phone. They are 8 and 10. My wife and I think that they should wait until they can buy their own phone & minutes by earning money from chores and jobs etc. What do you
...
more
My step daughter and step son are obsessed with the idea of getting a cell phone. They are 8 and 10. My wife and I think that they should wait until they can buy their own phone & minutes by earning money from chores and jobs etc. What do you think? At what age did your child get their first cell phone and why? Did they pay for it?
less
02/29/2012
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That is why we are leaning to getting them one shortly. We know that soon, they will be going off to friends houses for sleepovers and what not, and even though most households have a phone somewhere, we like the idea of them having a phone on them JUST in case. Of course, all their minutes and useage will be monitored and certain things blocked. Of course, it would be one of those cheapie prepaid ones too, that way there isn't a huge risk with theft.
Originally posted by
indiglo
Well, I can see both sides of the issue. I can see that a young one could find a cell phone useful in case of emergency. But I also don't think any teenager should have a phone because they're more likely to misuse it (sexting, using it
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Well, I can see both sides of the issue. I can see that a young one could find a cell phone useful in case of emergency. But I also don't think any teenager should have a phone because they're more likely to misuse it (sexting, using it while driving, staying up all night texting/talking, etc.).
That being said, you can set it up to protect children from themselves with cell phone usage. After all, like most things, they are powerful tools that can occasionally be misused.
There weren't cell phones everywhere when I was a teen, and I got by just fine. It's amazing how things change! (Hell, everyone didn't have laptops and continuous internet access either! LOL) less
That being said, you can set it up to protect children from themselves with cell phone usage. After all, like most things, they are powerful tools that can occasionally be misused.
There weren't cell phones everywhere when I was a teen, and I got by just fine. It's amazing how things change! (Hell, everyone didn't have laptops and continuous internet access either! LOL) less
03/01/2012
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That is definitely interesting. I haven't heard of that before. We will have to look into those. Thanks for the info
Originally posted by
- Kira -
I would get my son one of those Disney phones at that age. They have four buttons - one for mom, dad, grandparents, and the police. That way they have it for EMERGENCY use only. They can't text and talk a $300 bill up. I plan on doing this as
...
more
I would get my son one of those Disney phones at that age. They have four buttons - one for mom, dad, grandparents, and the police. That way they have it for EMERGENCY use only. They can't text and talk a $300 bill up. I plan on doing this as soon as he is old enough to stay overnight somewhere other than with family.
For a real cell phone, I say when they can pay for it themselves. My friend's brother just got his 8 year old a cell. Really? She's 8! less
For a real cell phone, I say when they can pay for it themselves. My friend's brother just got his 8 year old a cell. Really? She's 8! less
03/01/2012
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Good call. We're thinking that they will be paying for theirs as well. Whether it be shoveling snow or babysitting their younger sister. Of course, they still have a few years yet before that is even a possibility.
Originally posted by
Beck
Oh and I did pay for mine until my dad decided that there was no need for me to. I had to get a job to pay for it. I started babysitting.
03/01/2012
I appreciate everyones responses! My wife and I definitely agree with both sides of the issues that have been brought up. Its tough, in this day and age to decifer what is necessary and what isn't. There are so many things going on these days with safety concerns, and then you have those that are abusing the privileges. We really appreciate everyones input!
03/01/2012
Once they are in High School.
03/02/2012
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Unique posters: 28
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