BabyUniversity.com › Forums › Ages & Stages › Tweens & Teens › When should she get a cell phone?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

When should she get a cell phone?

post #1 of 15
6/2/10 at 11:58am
Thread Starter 
OK, next question. Elizabeth (11 yo) really wants a cell phone. I am inclined against one. Really, who is she going to talk to that she can't use the house phone? But I am hearing all the reasons:
-in case of an emergency
-all her friends have one
-she hates having to borrow one from her friends

What do you think? When is she old enough for a cell phone?
Reply
post #2 of 15
6/2/10 at 1:01pm

Re: When should she get a cell phone?

Is she involved in sports or other activities where she needs to call you for a ride home, but does not have access to a phone? Unless she is playing a sport or doing some activity were you or your dh will have to be called to pick her up, I have a hard time understanding her "need" for a phone. If you want to give one to her as a special gift, then that is fine, but I don't see how she absolutely needs one.
Reply
post #3 of 15
6/2/10 at 6:10pm

Re: When should she get a cell phone?

Tessa turned 11 today and one of her presents was a cell phone. This was a hard decision for us, and currently it is a prepaid cell. I decided to get it for her because she is babysitting her sisters for me and it is a reward. She will be traveling quite a bit this summer to stay with family elsewhere and with the phone she can call us when she likes. That being said, during the school year the cell phone will NOT go to school with her. She doesn't need it at school unless she has an activity that requires pick up.
Reply
post #4 of 15
6/2/10 at 7:52pm

Re: When should she get a cell phone?

Ally wants one too, but I see no reason for it. I'm with you Kim. Drew didn't get one until he was 15 because he didn't need one and I didn't think he would be responsible with it. But it's up to ya'll. Everyone's situation is different.
Reply
post #5 of 15
6/2/10 at 8:18pm
Thread Starter 

Re: When should she get a cell phone?

Well, if Elizabeth can use the "all my friends have one", then I can say "all my friends agree with me that you don't need one"!! No, she is not doing sports or anything, and I absolutely agree she does not need to take one to school. I think we can get away with not giving her one for now. But she has already started the campaign for a phone as a Christmas present.

Did I mention that she is a good manipulator? She has started saying lately how she "deserves" things. We challenge her on what she has done to deserve something, and she usually has a hard time coming up with things. But she is always willing to try to argue her way.
Reply
post #6 of 15
6/2/10 at 10:50pm

Re: When should she get a cell phone?

I am thinking about getting Alyssa one next year IF she does Competition for dance. Then I can leave her at the studio for the 3 or 4 hours she needs to be there and if she's done early or forgets something etc she can call me. But when not at dance she won't be allowed to have it.
Reply
post #7 of 15
6/3/10 at 10:24am

Re: When should she get a cell phone?

Kim... When Tessa tries the all my friends have one routine (which she does on a regular basis) I remind her that I am not all her friends Mommy's. I am hers. I don't make my parenting decisions based off what her friends parents are doing.
I had to laugh because she got a FB for her birthday too, and then got to listen to me give her the rules for it. She told me it sounds like her FB and her phone are at my discretion, and I told her that was exactly right. Her cell phone is for my convenience not hers and since she can't give the number out she is no longer as excited as she was
Reply
post #8 of 15
6/3/10 at 11:19am

Re: When should she get a cell phone?

You're a great mom, Heather! I may have to mark this reply for later use!
Reply
post #9 of 15
10/11/10 at 2:15pm

It disturbs me to see young children with cell phones. I saw a young boy (probably 9 or 10 at the most) in Wal-Mart with a BLACKBERRY!!!! I was astonished and disgusted. There is absolutely no reason for a child to have a blackberry. Ugh. I agree if a child is in sports or additional activities, MAYBE they should have a cell phone. but even then, didn't we function without cell phones and children in activities, what like, 5 years ago?? You agree on a time and place and then that's it.

Heather- I like that idea of not letting your child give out the number!

Reply
post #10 of 15
10/12/10 at 10:27am

But what is to really stop them from giving out the number except the threat of losing the phone?  In most cases, why bother to have one if you can't actually use it?  (I'm not talking about Heather's reasoning in getting one for her DD because of why she got it.).  As far as seeing a young kid with a phone or blackberry, while I personally wouldn't choose to give one to my child, I won't criticize those who do.  You never know what their circumstances or reasons are.  Personally, I like Drew having a phone so I can always reach him for whatever reason.  It has been a lifesaver on more than one occasion.

Reply
post #11 of 15
11/23/10 at 11:42pm

Hi!

 

I would suggest that you consider it wisely. As most have said, it is better to consider the activities that she will be getting herself into that would make her badly need the cellphone. Also, if she has been doing nice, then it can be as a reward for her. If she is responsible enough, I don't think that you can deprive her from that reward. You also have to trust your child.

 

Also, you can always set some rules to ensure that the phone will be used properly and not just for lame excuses.

 

More power!

Reply
post #12 of 15
11/26/10 at 2:49am

My son wanted m e to buy him a new cellphone! He's only 10 years old and I don't want to spoil his attitude at this age because he is so young to have cellphone. It bothers me a lot as to how he is going to do with the mobile. He always told me for emergency purposes. But still I don't want to.

Reply
post #13 of 15
11/28/10 at 5:49pm

Kids would just give you all the reasons they can find just to have a cellphone. But we know in reality that they don't need one, especially at age 11. But in the case of Littlebit, well, that can be an exception. smile.gif

Reply
post #14 of 15
11/29/10 at 5:38am

well...But do your kids really need these things? Essentially, this type of question is one that parents must address on an individual basis. Your particular family circumstances should be the primary guiding force in determining whether your young child needs a cell phone. 

Reply
post #15 of 15
12/8/10 at 10:22pm

18 is too old for someone to start having a personal cellphone. and there is no reliable record of any kind about health problems connected with using cellphone for younger than 18 years old.

Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Tweens & Teens
BabyUniversity.com › Forums › Ages & Stages › Tweens & Teens › When should she get a cell phone?