Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Message edited 1/26/2010 8:46:29 PM.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

I think no younger than 12 , BUT even then I would get one of those phones that she can use to call 911,mom and dad ONLY and maybe grandma or another family member in case of an emergency .

Message edited 1/26/2010 8:51:56 PM.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Posted by eddiesmommy

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by eddiesmommy

once they start staying after school for extra help or extra curricular activities.

But why? My dd is in middle school and stays after. If she needs to call, the school has an office phone or a pay phone if they have money on them.
She walks home but there are buses so there is no need for a call home to get picked up. If so, shouldn't the parents KNOW where their kid is and know what time to pick them up?

I just don't get it-sorry--

i say this bc after school, I would not be picking them up. So if they missed a bus or something, i would like to be able to reach them if I need to or if they need me.

Also bc this is when they start going to friends homes and hanging out with friends more as a social thing, rather than playdates.

I saw on Oprah once, and there were two stories like this where a girls friends mother was picking them up from somewhere for a sleepover and she had been drinking but the girl didnt said that even though she noticed she was drunk, she got in the car with her bc the mom said she was fine to drive. Further along into the ride, the mother crashed her car and killed the young girl. Her father and another surviving girl were on and both said that they wish they had given in, and given their kids cell phones. They couldve called for a ride, couldve called while they were in the car, just so they never felt stuck and always had a safe alternative.

So not that I think something that drastic is going to happen, but it could, or even if it is something more minor, I would feel better knowing that my DS had a safe alternative in case of an emergency.

Plus, I dont think of cell phones as a "luxury" anymore like they were when we first got them. I think they are just a part of everyday life these days.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Message edited 11/28/2011 7:34:57 PM.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by eddiesmommy

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by eddiesmommy

once they start staying after school for extra help or extra curricular activities.

But why? My dd is in middle school and stays after. If she needs to call, the school has an office phone or a pay phone if they have money on them.
She walks home but there are buses so there is no need for a call home to get picked up. If so, shouldn't the parents KNOW where their kid is and know what time to pick them up?

I just don't get it-sorry--

i say this bc after school, I would not be picking them up. So if they missed a bus or something, i would like to be able to reach them if I need to or if they need me.

Also bc this is when they start going to friends homes and hanging out with friends more as a social thing, rather than playdates.

I saw on Oprah once, and there were two stories like this where a girls friends mother was picking them up from somewhere for a sleepover and she had been drinking but the girl didnt said that even though she noticed she was drunk, she got in the car with her bc the mom said she was fine to drive. Further along into the ride, the mother crashed her car and killed the young girl. Her father and another surviving girl were on and both said that they wish they had given in, and given their kids cell phones. They couldve called for a ride, couldve called while they were in the car, just so they never felt stuck and always had a safe alternative.

So not that I think something that drastic is going to happen, but it could, or even if it is something more minor, I would feel better knowing that my DS had a safe alternative in case of an emergency.

Plus, I dont think of cell phones as a "luxury" anymore like they were when we first got them. I think they are just a part of everyday life these days.

See since I have a middle schooler, I don't think a cellphone is needed. If they are at a friends house, they can use their home phone (or their parents cellphone if no home phone is available).
After School has 3 buses for my dd's school. She walks but if she missed the regular bus or staying after, she could take the 3:30 bus or the 4:30 bus. AND...she could use the school phone as the office is open to at least 4pm or they are there with teachers who have their own phones.
I just don't see the need and when you ask these kids WHY they NEED them, I can never get an answer that shows me they NEED them. It is more of a want and a show off thing for them.

Message edited 1/26/2010 8:53:49 PM.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Ok but just bc I dont have a middle schooler yet doesnt mean I dont have a valid opinion. I would feel better if he has one, I would feel he was safer if he had one. I think he needs one.

Sorry, didn't mean to say you don't have a valid opinion but I am just talking from experience. And my experience has shown that these kids don't NEED a phone. They have convinced their parents they do need one but can not tell you why and parents are afraid to say no and disappoint their kids. Believe me, it is really unbelievable what these kids have at such young ages.
And IME, and not trying to flame anyone but the kids with the most "things" were the ones with divorced parents who are trying to "compete" with who buys the better gifts.
Maybe I am the "bad" mother because I will not give but until I think there is a reason my dd NEEDS a phone, she is not getting one just because the rest of her friends have one and it is "cool".

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

So far in my experience, the young kids that have cell phones have gotten them because they WANTED them, not because they NEEDED them. Jordan's friend was here tonight and showing off her new phone. I asked her what she needed a phone for and she said, I just wanted it.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

seriously i never had one til 21 and i survived, but it was tough to find a pay phone....

id say middle school for the earliest. preferably high school age but times have changed.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Posted by eddiesmommy

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by eddiesmommy

once they start staying after school for extra help or extra curricular activities.

But why? My dd is in middle school and stays after. If she needs to call, the school has an office phone or a pay phone if they have money on them.
She walks home but there are buses so there is no need for a call home to get picked up. If so, shouldn't the parents KNOW where their kid is and know what time to pick them up?

I just don't get it-sorry--

i say this bc after school, I would not be picking them up. So if they missed a bus or something, i would like to be able to reach them if I need to or if they need me.

Also bc this is when they start going to friends homes and hanging out with friends more as a social thing, rather than playdates. So if they are ever peer pressured into doing or going somewhere they know they shouldnt be and want an out once they are there or find themselves in an uncomfortable position, I want them to have an out.

I saw on Oprah once, and there were two stories like this where a girls friends mother was picking them up from somewhere for a sleepover and she had been drinking but the girl didnt said that even though she noticed she was drunk, she got in the car with her bc the mom said she was fine to drive. Further along into the ride, the mother crashed her car and killed the young girl. Her father and another surviving girl were on and both said that they wish they had given in, and given their kids cell phones. They couldve called for a ride, couldve called while they were in the car, just so they never felt stuck and always had a safe alternative.

Plus DS would be a walker sometimes too, based on how close we are to the school and god forbid something happened or someone approached him, I want him to be able to contact someone.

So not that I think something that drastic is going to happen, but it could, or even if it is something more minor, I would feel better knowing that my DS had a safe alternative in case of an emergency.

Plus, I dont think of cell phones as a "luxury" anymore like they were when we first got them. I think they are just a part of everyday life these days.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

My kids will not be getting one until they start driving or their friends start driving.

However, if a situation arises where I think they might need it before then, I would get them one. I wont really know how i feel until they are a little older.

Message edited 1/27/2010 8:29:38 AM.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

My girls got them for their 10th birthday. As did most of their friends...

I had been planning on waiting until this year (they just turned 11). But I got out voted...

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Probably depends upon if it will be more convenient for me or not (picking her up etc). Even then, it would be an extremely limited plan. I remember I was teaching in the city when 9/11 happened and after that so many more kids had cell phones (and I worked in a middle school at the time). I think it really depends upon the child and the situation.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

I think it depends on the child. We just got one with limited service for my SS, he is 13. He has developmental issues and we are just starting to let him stay home alone for a 1/2 hour here and there. We don't have a landline, so if he is going to be home alone he needs a way to contact us.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

my neices both got them at 12. it seems young however when they go to the movies with their friends my sister has access to them all the time.

if they are at a friends house theres no excuse for them not to call (someones using the phone etc)

plus look around - the payphones are literally almost all gone or broken not to mention gross and full of bacteria.

also if they take the bus wouldnt u prefer for them to have access to a phone god forbid something happened? (i say this bc a guy exposed himself in front of me when i was a kid)

my brothers daughter was about 8 when she got her first cell.
my brother and my neices mother arent together and not on good terms. so my neice having her own cell phone is the easiest way for my brother to talk to his daughter...

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Junior High. So what's that 12? 13?

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

when a child is in their teens... but ask me again in 5-10 yrs

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

We're going to get Aidan one next year (he'll be 10 in May)

I've noticed 5th grade is when the kids in my neighborhood start going to the park by themselves (in groups of course) I want him to have a phone b/c I'm paranoid. I'll probably follow him around the first few months (hahah) hide in bushes etc.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

I think high school is the best age.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

I am old school big time. So I say once they get their driver's license a cell phone is in order in case of emergencies.
I do not think it is appropriate for a child to have a cell phone, I don't care how times have changed or how it's "in"
Maybe I'm an old fart...

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

it depends on the child and their maturity level..I would say, not before 13 but who knows

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

When they can pay for it themselves.

I didn't get a cell phone until after college, and I paid for it myself.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Posted by pharmcat2000

Posted by eddiesmommy

Posted by hazeleyes33

Posted by eddiesmommy

once they start staying after school for extra help or extra curricular activities.

But why? My dd is in middle school and stays after. If she needs to call, the school has an office phone or a pay phone if they have money on them.
She walks home but there are buses so there is no need for a call home to get picked up. If so, shouldn't the parents KNOW where their kid is and know what time to pick them up?

I just don't get it-sorry--

i say this bc after school, I would not be picking them up. So if they missed a bus or something, i would like to be able to reach them if I need to or if they need me.

Also bc this is when they start going to friends homes and hanging out with friends more as a social thing, rather than playdates. So if they are ever peer pressured into doing or going somewhere they know they shouldnt be and want an out once they are there or find themselves in an uncomfortable position, I want them to have an out.

I saw on Oprah once, and there were two stories like this where a girls friends mother was picking them up from somewhere for a sleepover and she had been drinking but the girl didnt said that even though she noticed she was drunk, she got in the car with her bc the mom said she was fine to drive. Further along into the ride, the mother crashed her car and killed the young girl. Her father and another surviving girl were on and both said that they wish they had given in, and given their kids cell phones. They couldve called for a ride, couldve called while they were in the car, just so they never felt stuck and always had a safe alternative.

Plus DS would be a walker sometimes too, based on how close we are to the school and god forbid something happened or someone approached him, I want him to be able to contact someone.

So not that I think something that drastic is going to happen, but it could, or even if it is something more minor, I would feel better knowing that my DS had a safe alternative in case of an emergency.

Plus, I dont think of cell phones as a "luxury" anymore like they were when we first got them. I think they are just a part of everyday life these days.

These all sound like good reasons, but the liklihood of the phone being used in those situations I think is pretty low.

In the case of the girl on Oprah, think about it. Would an adolescent really be strong enough to resist getting in the car with another parent who was telling them to get in, especially when all of her friends are piling in? And would they be willing to stand out on the street alone waiting for you to come pick them up? Believe me I HOPE I can teach my girls to be that way, I just don't see it with that age group. Maybe once they are in HS, they will be able to resist getting in a car with a friend who has been drinking, but that is a bit different since it is a friend rather than a parent, who we teach them is the authority for them to obey when we are not around. And to call you while they are driving? I think by the time the child realized the driving was erratic, they called you and you went out to find them, they'd be home (hopefully).

And as far as a stranger approaching a walking child, I think somebody intent on snatching a child will do so before the kid can even have their parent dialed. I suppose it could deter somebody who was "considering" kidnapping though.

I do agree with you though that cell phones are more a part of daily life rather than "luxuries" as they were even 5 years ago. I can tell you when I started working at St. Catherine's Hospital 5 years ago, there was a wall full of pay phones, maybe 6 or 7. Now there is only 1. Obviously this is b/c people just don't use pay phones anymore so place just don't keep them. I guess the cost and maintenance on them just doesn't pay. I know this all to well, as I was once driving around searching for a pay phone one night when I was lost and didn't have a cell signal because I was way up on the north shore.

I don't know why I'm rambling so much this morning. I guess b/c I've been up since 5. Forgive me.

Re: What age do you think is appropriate for a cell phone?

Posted by ChrisDee

So far in my experience, the young kids that have cell phones have gotten them because they WANTED them, not because they NEEDED them. Jordan's friend was here tonight and showing off her new phone. I asked her what she needed a phone for and she said, I just wanted it.