What age for cell phones
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At what age do you think it is appropriate for kids to get a cell phone?
I used to be one of those parents that couldn't justify it till they had a lot of extra curricular activities that required they be in contact with me. I finally broke down and bought one for my son on his 13th birthday because his step brother got one from his mom the year before.
Now I must say I wish I had done it sooner. It is incredibly handy to text them reminders that I'll pick them up from school, or come home for dinner and such. Now that he has one, I think it's more for me than for him.
I used to be one of those parents that couldn't justify it till they had a lot of extra curricular activities that required they be in contact with me. I finally broke down and bought one for my son on his 13th birthday because his step brother got one from his mom the year before.
Now I must say I wish I had done it sooner. It is incredibly handy to text them reminders that I'll pick them up from school, or come home for dinner and such. Now that he has one, I think it's more for me than for him.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Dana Neal on -
I agree on the public transit! LOL...we live in Milwaukee, WI and this has been a year of fights and drama on the city bus. Right now my son (14) rides the bus in case I can't get him to where he needs to be on time (which is about 3 times a year)....but he is involved wayyyyyyyyyyy more in sports than my daughter ( who is 18 now) ever was. A pre-paid cell phone might be a good option for him for Christmas.
Anne Mayhew said:I think I'll give cell phones to my kids when they are able to ride the public transportation on our small island. Maybe age 11 or 12. We do not have good cell service where we live so won't help now but will when they can move around more independently.
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Permalink Reply by DevilishSouthernBelle on -
I gave mine mobile phones last year (ages 15 and 14), because they REALLY wanted them, and it would make it easy for me to keep track of them, since I am often unable to be in two places at once, sports-wise. However, I got them pay as you go phones, and I give them the $20 every 3 months, but they use a lot more than that...so they keep up with and pay for their own plans. This works out great for us, because if I put them on my plan, it would cost an arm and a leg by the time I got done adding features like unlimited text & mobile web. With the pay as you go plan, at least if they let the time run out, there is no bill that has to be paid regardless.
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Permalink Reply by DevilishSouthernBelle on
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I don't even have a phone that expensive! My mind is officially blown!
Desiree Stanley said:We've told Honey bunny (8yo) that she will get a cell phone after she turns 12 yrs old. But it makes sense for kids a bit younger to have one if they are going to be doing sports, dance, or whatever and need to have a way to contact mom or dad.
Some of her friends have cell phones right now. One has a Palm Treo 650!! Which I just don't get. She's in 3rd grade! What do these kids need phones for?
Most of the time Honey bunny is with me at our office or at karate (and I'm with her) so there is no need at this point. We'll see in the next couple years...
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Permalink Reply by nancycole on -
Well, grandma got my kids "migo" phones (like firefly - only dial a few numbers) several years ago, when my son was just 6 and my daughter 8. They were rarely used. Now, my daughter has been requesting a "real" phone, so grandma upgraded to LG Chocolates for both. The 11-year-old uses it and charges it often. My 9-yr-old son less so. He forgets to charge it, bring it with him, and rarely answers it if I call, so not so useful. But my daughter is much more accessible than before, and it has been great. So, I'm thinking middle school age makes sense.
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Permalink Reply by Melissa Lowe on -
Neither of my kids really use a cell phone. They have one because their Dad decided to give them mine after we separated, but they never charge it and don't get calls or even make them from the phone...
I can really see a use for them, but only if your kids will actually use them and only do it responsibly...
Other then that it's just one more thing that gets in the way of being face to face with people.
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Permalink Reply by Kandice on -
I got my 9 yo one of those go phones for those times when she is at a friend's house or after school activity. I was one of those that felt I would never get a child so young a phone, but it really gives piece of mind to know that I can contact her or vice verse, when needed. When she is home or with me the phone is put away. It not an everyday thing.
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Permalink Reply by Lisa Hamilton on -
We were a bit paranoid. As soon as our daughter started riding the bus to school in kindergarten we bought her a phone. She carries it with her in her backpack all time. She was told to only use it in case of emergency, and to keep it hidden. We explained that it was NOT a toy to share with her friends or to play with, and she has always been good about it. She's almost nine now and still carries the phone. She sometimes gets dropped off for a class or takes the bus to a friend's house and it is handy for her to be able to call me. We've done the same with our son.
This summer, our daughter went to a water park with a friend and the friend's mom. She ended up getting separated from the group and was very scared. She found her backpack and phone and called me, and I was able to get to the water park and meet up with her. I've always been very relieved to know the phone is there if needed.
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Permalink Reply by jazzy on -
I think it depends on your child and the situations. My son is begging for one, and he's 6, but he's never anywhere that I'm not or I can't get to him immediately [school]. When he has practices, or audtions, or is on set, I am always there, so theres no need. I will admit, the last earthquake we had, I wished he had one, so that I could get to him to make sure he was okay in class.
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Permalink Reply by Cindy Schultz on -
DS 15 got his when he was 13 only because he is our church's videographer and he was traveling all over the county with different ministry leaders. Some of these adults didn't have cell phones of their own and some didn't have what I considered reliable transportation. He was allowed to pick a phone off the 99 cent shelf at Alltel and was added to our plan for $9.99 a month. None of us have had a text plan (DH refuses to pay for it). Two months ago DS 15 decided he would pay the $5.99 a month for 300 texts a month. So far he has gone over both months and had to pay about $20 each month. This isn't easy for a kid with no job who doesn't receive an allowance. He knows he pays or the text plan goes and so far he has paid up and is learning to budget his texts. DS 13 wants a cell phone but he understands he has no real need for it since he is always with me. Some day he will need one and then he will get one.
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Permalink Reply by Marye on -
Our daughter will be 12 in a couple of months, I don't think age should be a factor. Since we don't have a home phone we are thinking that we will get an extra cell for the house, but let her use it if she has an event to go to. Being homeschoolers we have a lot of extra curricular activities, but I am with her for the most part. If she was away from me more she might have a greater need for a phone, but as things stand there's really no need at this point.
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Permalink Reply by Noreen on -
My daughter has had a cell phone for a long time and she is only 12 now. However, she was only allowed to text rather recently. Being a single parent with no one able to help me at the time, I went into a total panic one time because I couldn't locate her or any of the scout leaders of her brownie troop when she was supposed to be at a meeting. At that time, I was commuting 55 miles away and couldn't get to where the meeting was supposed to be soon enough. Talk about stress!! Everything turned out okay, apologies abounded, but that very weekend, I got her a cell phone for emergencies, etc. I am fortunate because she is very responsible about her stuff and took/takes very good care of her phone.
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Permalink Reply by JediMom on -
My daughter got a cell phone this year entering middle school. She's almost 12. She's highly responsible. Even so, she lost her cell phone on day 1 because she abused the privilege and didn't complete her chores. But that's a learning opportunity. Her school has a no cell phone policy so she's only allowed to use it after school and on weekends. She's latchkey a few afternoons a week and checks in with me by text message. I can also text her little reminders about chores or helping me get something started for dinner. It's becoming a good communication channel for us. My only problem is that I realize my phone is lame. I seriously need to upgrade to keep up with my daughter.
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