Electronics Discussions

We gave our twin 15 year old boyz  phone for Christmas! I was straight up with them and told them what the rules where going to be. So far they have been really good and respectful of our wishes(if that's the right words i'm looking for) If they break the rules,they not only lose their phones, but other things too.Such as computer,Wii,playstation etc...

I'm a teacher and I have a daily battle with cell phone use in my classroom.  I really really reeeeeeeeeeeeeally wish that parents would take a look at the numbers of incoming and outgoing texts that are sent during school hours.  They are the #1 distraction for high school students in class. 

I think it should be based on each individual child. A child of 10 may be responsible enough to have a phone and know its for emergency purposes only, where as a child of 13 may not be. I have a 7 yr old boy who wants a cell phone just because. He's crazy!!! My 10 yr old could have a cell phone because she is responsible enough to not loose it and knows emergency only.  My issue with that is, she thinks missing my older daughter is an emergency and would constantly call her.  So I think we will hold off a little while longer on her phone. Just worrysome because she walks to school, granted we are 3 mins away from the school, but I still worry.

I got my youngest daughter her first cell phone when she was 13, for emergency purposes only; no texting, no Internet.  Any younger is a waste of money in my opinion.  

As a single parent without land-based services, I have provided a cell phone for my daughter since she was 12. As a young teen with her license, it has become an even more invaluable tool to track her whereabouts, communicate with her during emergent or critical happenings in our day to day lives and that cell phone is in better condition and treated better than any other possession she has - other than her ancient car.  I agree with those that teach that usage during school is a HUGE problem, but we've had lock in's because of escaped criminals, Tornado lock-ins and emergent situations at school in which I am more than thankful my child has the tools to communicate with me when in need.

My son is 28 and I never got him a cell phone - they didn't really exist when he was younger.  If he was younger, it would depend on how much responsibility he displayed.  I'm guessing since mine was a latch key kid around 10-12, maybe that's a good age?  Again, it would depend on maturity & handling responsiblity in other aspects of his life.

I also think kids get cell phones way too early.  They get them before they have actually become old enough to take care of them.  I think it is good for them to have in case they need to call you or for some kind of emergency...but this talking  and texting everyopne at 10 and 11 is rediculous.

I got my son a cell phone last year for Christmas when he was 9. Yes, I think that is crazy and I also thought he was too young for a phone but at that time he was spending a lot of time at his dad's. I couldn't get his dad to answer the phone so I wasn't always able to talk to my son which is why I made the decision to get him one. Now he is with me all the time and doesn't really need it but it comes in handy when he stays at his friends house, etc. I keep tabs on him that is for sure. He can have it on when he gets home from school, but turns it off at bed time and leaves it off until he gets home from school the next day.

never.  all we are teaching them with a cell phone, is that they can talk on it while a cashier is waiting on them in a store, that they can talk or text while they are driving, they can text in class, in other words be disrespectfull towards others.  So many teens get a bad rap but a lot of them deserve it.  If one more teen comes to me with a phone in their ear, I will be more than happy to assist them in any way, WHEN THEY ARE DONE.

I think it really depends on the situation and whether or not they need a phone. If your child has an illness or is with another parent most of the time, a cell phone would be good for them to have as young as 7 or 8. If it's for texting friends and playing tetris... 15 or older I think.

Lyrik08 said…

I am really curious on what other peoples views are on cell phone and kids. I have my thoughts on it, and it is I belive some are way too young, irresponsible, and not ready for one. I think it can cause of alot of trouble for them in school as well. What are your thoughts?

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If I still call them "my child" and not "my kid" then they are too young.  I haven't made it to this stage yet, but my first guess is that high school would be the age I think it will be all right.  But if I ever catch them texting or holding the phone up to their ear while driving, that phone is getting cancelled until they can buy their own.

Basic emergency  cell without games when they start school.

I THINK THAT 13 IS A GOOD AGE IT HELP KEEP TRACK OF YOUR CHILDREN BECAUSE THEY START DOING MORE THINGS

I think that children should have a cell phone that restricts usage but gives them a way to call for help in emergencies and allows them to call parents or other appropriate adults  in case they  need someone  quiclly.  Yhere are phones available that allow limited access to internet or texting but allow  calls to parents and other limited numbers and restrict outgoing and incoming calls.  They should also have GPS tracking capability.  I believe that  all school age children  can be taught appropriate usage and still have this important safety device.

I think this is so dependent on the child and the situation.  We gave my daughter a phone when she was 11 and set out some guidelines about its use.  I check our usage several times a month.  Interestingly she is probably the most responsible user of our family plan.  My wife, by far the least.

We live in a time where school lockdowns are not uncommon.  I want her to be able to  contact us and vice versa at any time. 

If they ride the bus it's good to let them have one regardless of age - but a cheap one with no camera, since they'll probably lose the first few. I think by the time they are 14 they should be expected to have them. To NOT have one would label them a social oddity, kind of like the kid we knew in class whose parents didn't own a tv. Having said that, I think texting should be limited to 2 hours a day. My nieces and nephews text every waking moment and have become cell zombies. It drives me crazy but they're typical for their generation.

I don't know when I will allow my future kids to have a phone b/c times are changing quickly.  However I do know for sure that they are not going to get one with unlimited texting.  In fact, I think my kids "first" phones will block texting!  Kids are out of hand with texting and I don't think if that feature is turned off they are less likely to abuse the phone.  As the teacher above said, they abuse it for sure.

My husband said you can program any cell phone to block texting and web so they can't do any of that.  He said you could also password protect the phone numbers so they can't call anyone outside of what is in their phone book (which you program in).  That's neat!  I'd definitely monitor the minutes used and have them on my family plan so I know exactly what numbers they are calling.

Another option is to have a "family" cell phone.  One that stays home most of the time but you give it to your kid when you think it's important.  For example, if they are going to their firsts sleepover, something like that.  

Personally I didn't get a phone til I could buy it myself, but that was partially b/c no one really had cell phones.  My siblings and I all had cell phones before my parents really had one.

Somehow we all managed to live without cell phones growing up, but now it's almost impossible to find a pay phone on a corner to make a call.  Kids are so busy with after school activites and having a cell phone would be more convenient for in case of emergency times.  My 11 year old daughter keeps asking for one, and I haven't given in yet but there have been many times over the past few months when I wished that she had one so I could get in contact with her.  I told her that if she makes honor roll every marking period this year in middle school, we will get her one over the summer.  We'll see how this works out!

I think is depends on the child and the situation. Every child matures at different ages. I have a grandson who is 9 years old. He goes to school and must come home to an empty house in the afternoons for 2 to 3 hours at a time. He is also left alone various times in the evening and on weekends. He is being raised by his mother and boyfriend. They have no phone at their home. I feel that he needs to have a cell phone for emergencies only. I told my daughter to add him to her account and we could program my old phone with just emergency numbers and teach him how to work it. He would also be instructed that he is not to call any other numbers or he would lose his video games or tv time. I think this will work. So again I think it depends on the child and the situation!!

i would have say 15 years old. Right before they are learning to drive and in some situations dating. I didn't get a cell phone till after I was married, but obviously every situation is different.

The real appropriate age is when, the child can pay the bill!!

Even if it is $10 on a family plan.

Nothing teaches responsibility like hands on experience.

NEVER

My daughter was 16 when she got her first phone. When she acted irrespondsible it was taken from her. She understands that there are rules she has to follow in order to have this phone. Being taught how to be responsible is big in my house.

My daughter was 16 when she got her first phone. When she acted irrespondsible it was taken from her. She understands that there are rules she has to follow in order to have this phone. Being taught how to be responsible is big in my house.

 My 7 year old beggs for a cell phone all the time becuase several of her friends at school have one. I tell her, when she is old enough to pay the bill she can have one. My husbond and I have discussed that when she gets a little older (say around 13 yrs old) and is able to be at her outside of school activities alone, then we will get her a cell phone. I definatly agree with some of the other posts that it depends on the child and how responsible they are.

This is a good point.  Make them pay for it or work it off with chores.

I think younger kids should have one of those phones where parents key in three numbers and that is all they can call. One would be home, one would be maybe a parent's work, and the other whoever. 911 is always free on those phones. That way, a kid has access to his parents or family members but doesn't use the phone for anything else. I really feel those phones can be quite a good idea for kids at about 12 or so who may need to get a hold of a parent for whatever reason.

As far as a normal cell phone, I think I got my older kid one at like 16 or so. He couldn't text and his school did not allow cell phones so he really only had it when he went to a friend's house and it was way more for me than him.

My younger kid got one at around 15 or so but hates it to this day and I have to force him to take it when he leaves. I think he doesn't want me bugging him.

My older son, now 23, is a big texter and all into his phone now (not while driving through) and that's fine. He's an adult. But when either kid was younger, I knew who they called, who they texted, etc. I have Verizon and it tells all calls, duration, number, texts etc and I used it and let them know I would be.

The only issue I ever had was my younger son's phone was stolen and some kid downloaded games and stuff and the bill was crazy. But we got the phone back and Verizon took care of the charges, thankfully.

I have had my kids call during emergencies when they otherwise could not have so, for that piece of mind, I was willing to pay for the service and check up on them. lol. I blocked all downloads immediately upon getting the phones so they wouldn't download games that cost me money. You can tailor your kid's phone almost any way you want and give them as much or as little freedom as you feel they can handle.

I think a child can have a phone when they get a JOB (!) and PAY for it themselves! THAT'S teaching responsibility! Maybe after a couple of bills costing them hundreds of dollars (!), they'll learn. I've heard so many parents complain of the cell phone bills from their kids calling and texting all their friends. Who's to blame for that......the parents for allowing the irresponsibility.....or the irresponsible child? You make the call. 

I believe that the earlier a child (within reason) gets his or her own cell phone the more responsible they will be.  If you wait until they are 16 or so they seem to go wild with all the features of their phone.

My soon to be 13 yr-old daughter has had hers for 2 years and now sometimes has to be reminded to take her phone.  It's not a novelty any longer to her, so she's less likely to play. 

I believe cell phones can be a distraction especially in the classroom. Although I  heard kids were not allowed to use cell phones in class, it still happens and this is one more thing we are putting on teachers that take away from instruction. I don't think a school age child should be texting and talking on the phone at lunch time, in the bathroom, walking home, or while riding the school bus. 

I'm sure there are some situations where a phone would come in handy. I also believe phones for children give the parent a false sense of security.

This is just my opinion, and you can probably tell from my post that my kid didn't get one until she was grown. She made it through her school years safely and she turned out to be very responsible.