| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/10/2009 3:03:14 PM | | I would wait until I was at least 80. Chances are good by then I'll have a child, somehow, somewhere, and it will be into antiques. In another ten years or so we'll have returned to the pre-electricity days of town criers. Cell phones will be relics of a bygone era. I might consider doing it as young as 75, depending on the rate at which civilizations staggers back towards the stone age. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/10/2009 3:09:13 PM | That's such silly logic. I suppose you walked to school, uphill (both ways) in the snow, barefoot too.
Well, not uphill or barefoot all the time, but I actually DID walk to school.... ALWAYS.... unless I rode my bike.
People are just so obsessed with being in contact every single minute of every day that it really is bizarre if you stop to think about it.
But, yup, when my boys can afford it, they can buy themselves phones.
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/10/2009 9:06:53 PM | I would get my children their own cell phones when they can afford to pay the bill.
This is a luxury they do not need, and I think it takes away from other things in life - such as text messaging interupting school work, or concentration on whatever it is that they are doing. I have seen kids between the ages of 12 - 17 walk off a curb into the street to cross at the lights while head is down sending a txt message - and THEIR LIGHT WAS STILL RED - THEY WALK INTO MOVING TRAFFIC!
For safety purposes - I lend the children my own cell phone (I have two - one for personal and one for work, and landlines everywhere I am ever going to be as well) If they are going to a movie with friends, they are allowed to take my phone to call me if they need me.
If they are going to sleep away for the night - they take my phone in their bag just in case - but other then that .. no cell phones.
If they can afford a phone with their own money - they can have one. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/10/2009 10:12:39 PM | I always thought parents giving their kids a cell phone was the height of indulgences... until my daughter turned 14 and was going to travel all the way across the city each day to attend a school of her choice. I NEEDED her to have a phone so I wouldn't have to worry all day every day. It was for my peace of mind. Her having a cell phone has proven to be a benefit enough times that it has proven its value way beyond peace of mind for a single mum to hook up with a busy and often over-scheduled teen, .
The fancy-schmancy PDA phone was a justifiable and useful tool for her learning disability. The package upgrade to unlimited data? at first, nothing more than shear indulgence and fully using the available features of the phone. However, the GPS programs and TTC (subway and bus lines) along with mapping has proven indispensable for her navigation in the city (and has helped mum out once or twice as well). Her ability to tap into her email box has been a real situation saver for both of us from time to time. Even so, the automatic updates from facebook to her phone are pretty vital from her pov, lol. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 2:03:39 AM | I just took a quick read of the posts here on this topic and I didnt notice any comment on the potential health issue involved with cell phones. I did some research last fall on the science that is out there on the topic. I wouldnt want to subject my daughter to any potential long term impact she may get from putting a cell to her head for hours on end. I think it is foolish that parents allow social fads to decitate what is healthy their children. It is very simple, when your on the phone for an hour, ever notice how hot your ear gets? Its not the battery, not really the phone, it is your ear cooking from the low radio wave that is being produced from the cell phone antenna. Even when you are not using your cell phone the antenna is still gennerating a signal to stay in touch with the carrier. The further away you are from a cell tower requires the cell phone to boost the RF signal. consider that if you allow a person to have this RF signal against an ear for X amount of hours a day for an increased amount of years and by the time they reach 30 or 40 they have been struct down by ear or brain cancer. what is known so far about the low RF signals is that at the current range there seems to be no impact but studies are only at the 10 15 year range of studies so long term impacts are not known. Just because they are not known is enough for me to feel concerned about my childs long term health. Its like people taking there kids to fast food joints and getting the child hooked on bad food and by the time they are 12-13 the child is over weight and there hormons are further developed than they should be and on there way to becomming diebetic.
Dont think that the government will protect your child from long term illness, the cell phone industry is the new tobacco company...this country is based on commerce and the money that cell phone industry makes from your hard earned dollars is enough to keep the science at bay and the government distracted. Im no alarmist at all, just see the medium for what it is. A nice toy. Might as well have your kids start licking the paint off toys from china while your at it. Speaking of which many years ago in the mid 90's Japan had a phone out that offered video conferencing, camera, and many other bells and wistles. I inquired as to why the US didnt have it and what I found out was that Japan did not have a FCC regulations on RF output restrictions. Because of this they were able to explore the cell phone industry in was that US could only dream of. Now they run the market. Because of the increase of mini-micro mother boards and the reduction of fabrication process smaller devices can be put into a cell phone thus increased shilding of the low RF wave. Except for the anttena part, which brings it all back to step 1. dont take my word for it..do some of your own parent research.
as for emergencies.....
I suggest get him a pre-paid calling card to use at any public telephone, or a long range walky talky that can be turned off when not in use and doesnt require a monthly fee. you can get ones for up to 60 miles. Try big-5 sporting goods, most are around 20-30 miles. If emergency is really the most important reason for having a cell phone.
Keep in mind and think of long term impacts to your children. Not to mention the social bad habits cell phone create like talking in public places and compusive bahaviors from always checking for text messages...
best of luck! | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 5:05:07 AM | | i am a single father of a teenage daughter. I fought with my daughter for 3 years and finaly gave in and got her a phone. As soon as I got it i knew I had made a mistake. As others have said kids think its the worst punishment when you take there phone away from them. I have taken it from her for bad grades, back talking,not doing chores, etc.etc. I can say I have verizon and you can get on line and change the settings on there phones such as what housrs they can and can not use there phone and who and who they can not contact. My daughter puts her phone up in the living room every night one hour before she goes to bed. If she forgets then I take the phone. So as far as getting a phone for your child you have to make that decision because every circumstnce is different. But please dont do as some other parents do and le theis phone become a baby sitter for you. I have seen parents drop there kids off at sporting events and leave saying call me when you are done instead of getting out of there car ans watching there kid play the game. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 6:54:11 AM | i decided to go with when they become 13, with significant restrictions in place.
1) pre-paid only, if they want/need additional minutes it comes out of their own money.
2) during school hours they follow the rule and turn their cell into the office upon arrival, and pick it up when they leave.....its school policy and i will be keeping tabs on it.
3) when at home they follow the same criteria as for computer usage....limited time, private internet/texting is not allowed (ie in their bedrooms), and as long as i have bought/pay for the computers, internet service, cell phones, cell phone service etc, they belong to me and i can/will and do monitor their activity on it. their right to privacy does not outweigh my responsibility to keep them safe and out of trouble.
4) access is not allowed til their homework, chores, and other commitments have been fulfilled.
i'm sure my kids will feel the restrictions are too stringent, just as they feel most of the other restrictions i have on them ie internet, curfew, bedtime, chores etc are...but like everything else they will learn to respect the rules or lose the privilege.
personally i find them to be a bit of a double edge sword with regards to safety, on the one hand i like the fact that they can call when they need to and vice versa...but just as internet does; cell phones open up a whole word of access to/from my children that as a parent i find a bit worrisome at times.
i also find myself becoming increasing concerned about the rise in youth to youth violence with regards to items such as ipods, cell phones, laptops etc....and do worry about them becoming targets. both my eldest son and my eldest daughter have been confronted and robbed of their possessions....(phone/laptop and ipod) by other youths. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 7:45:40 AM | As soon as they start going somewhere on their own, you will find the phone a reassuring helping thing. My children had one from about 9 years of age.
We have certain rules. The children must finance topups from their pocket money. That way they automatically minimise the spending.
The main problem we have is that they dont remember to keep it charged, so often it's a little useless, but if you remind them then this should be okay. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 9:23:39 AM | My daughter is 13 and has a cell phone. It's a great choice I made I think.
As far as texting in the night. I have rules to be followed and there hasn't been a problem with that.
I can always get in touch with her when I need to. When she goes outside with her friends I know I can get in touch with her. If she is in trouble I know she can get help.
I trust my child to follow rules at school about cell phones and to follow rules at home. Until she does something to break that trust. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 9:35:52 AM | I like your idea. I have a set of thirteen year old twin boys. I got them each a prepay phone so they can learn to manage minutes before we upgrade to contracted plan.
I am concerned because the plan they use doesnt offer the option of checking them out on line. I would love to know what plan you use.
They have begun to be obsessed with texting and this concerns me. I keep hearing about teens "sexting" one another etc. and I would like to know who they text and when. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 5:28:57 PM | | The day my daughter can pay for a cell phone and prepay plan is the day she gets one. I was 17 before I got one and guess what I payed for it out of my pocket. Its one of those things you want but don't really need. Food, clean water, clothes, a roof over head (heat,hydro) at needs in my book. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 5:52:09 PM | My (presently) 14-year-old son does not yet have a cell phone of his own-let me explain. Although he has wanted a cel phone for years now, I have resisted, as I am of the belief that he does not yet need one of his own. I have always told him that when the time comes when he will need a phone of his own, he will have one.
When he was younger, we made use of two-way radios, which sadly eat batteries yet do not require per-minute charges or monthly charges like a cel phone does. Also beneficial, he could not take it out of radio-coverage distance, and the devices had a "paging" system which makes an annoying sound to get the attention of the other user. $20 or less plus batteries is a lot cheaper than $20 for a phone plus airtime... | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 5:57:27 PM | | If safety is an issue, get your child a phone now, and get Chaperone or a similar feature from your provider. As a single parent with a 16 yr old boy, and I work retail hours, Chaperone (Verizon) has been a major league tool, well worth the 10 bucks a month. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 5:57:41 PM | I just took a quick read of the posts here on this topic and I didnt notice any comment on the potential health issue involved with cell phones. I did some research last fall on the science that is out there on the topic. I wouldnt want to subject my daughter to any potential long term impact she may get from putting a cell to her head for hours on end.
You are exactly right about this. There are an awful lot of unexplained brain tumors cropping up in people lately. My child does mostly texting, so the phone is not near her head.
Oh, and good luck trying to find a payphone. There are a lot less of them now.
Remember The Payphone?
by Stuart Burson
Many of us remember the days when you always kept some change in your pocket in case you had to use a payphone. Now, it seems payphone use could be well on its way to being a thing of the past. In fact, in case you haven't noticed, a lot of payphones are disappearing.
What used to be seen on every block and at practically every business has now almost become extinct. But why?
"There are several reasons, the primary one is the proliferation of cell phones. It seems like every person has a cell phone, every family two or three and the utilization of public payphones has dropped dramatically in the last several years." says Jim Watkins with Consolidated Communications.
To read the rest:
http://www.ktre.com/Global/story.asp?S=3321529 | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 8:10:50 PM | My daughter has had one now for about two years - she's 12.
We have both unlimited talk and text (family plan); I also have detailed billing AND the ability to shut it off, either on a timed basis, on a minute or text-used basis, or entirely, any time I want/need.
It is both a communication tool for her and a means of either of us getting ahold of one another. If you don't trust your kid, then its a bad idea - my daughter understands that the mantra is "trust, but verify", and if caught misusing.....
So far, so good, with only a couple of times she's gotten "grounded" off it. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 9:13:58 PM | My decisions on the cell phones were related to my convenience. My middle schooler sometimes had rehearsals or other things after school and it made it easier to time pickups, etc. without my having to sit and wait if things ran late. There are three years between her and the next child. By the time younger brother was in middle school I had one in grade, middle and high school. Again, it was the scheduling and also by that point my boys were off skateboarding and despite knowing their haunts, we often had trouble finding them without hitting 3-4 places.
With my older two, they were 12. My youngest wound up being 9. We use a company that charges a flat rate with unlimited calling, texting and long distance. While my daughter does drive me nuts with the texting, it has made my life easier, which is the only reason they have them. If there is no benefit to the parent, I would probably wait until high school or they can buy their own.
I wouldnt want to subject my daughter to any potential long term impact she may get from putting a cell to her head for hours on end.
Look around, the kids don't actually talk on the phones, they text, you are more likely to have thumb injuries or corpal tunnel from texting than the phone usage. It kind of cracks me up. The way we were raised, no car seats, no seat belts for most of us, no bike helmets, skateboard safety gear, the list of thing that should have killed us all is huge. It can also be a significant motivator for compliance, losing the phone is a consequence they truly don't want.
Even if the kids actually talk on the phone, most of them have speaker features so they don't even hold them up to their ear when they are talking. Most kids are limited exposure wise because of school and my daughter makes me nuts, I would almost consider her phone a texting machine and the phone is the added feature. I swear that she would be hard pressed to stop texting if she was falling over a cliff and needed to grab onto a tree going down, but it works for me because I can usually get in touch with her quickly and while I don't have her navigating a city's public transportation, etc. like Margo's tyke, she is also in a school across town and when we went through about a month without her phone at the beginning of last school year it was a huge pain in my rear, much more so than hers. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/11/2009 11:13:49 PM |
nothing less then that, as I want them to use there brains, and learn stuff and not just chat it up in some stupid pointless cell phone call about how sally sucks and her boyfriend is who cherry wants.
Cherry? lol
Just some food for thought, though; the girls who gossip on a cell phone will still gossip without one. | |
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| At what age would you consider getting a cell phone for your child?
Posted: 7/12/2009 4:43:06 AM |
nothing less then that, as I want them to use there brains, and learn stuff and not just chat it up in some stupid pointless cell phone call about how sally sucks and her boyfriend is who cherry wants.
My kids are in AP and honors classes and guess what, it is a good thing for young people to have friends and be well rounded individuals. Your children learn and grow based on what you teach them and the experiences you provide for them, which won't be impacted one iota by cell phone usage and as a parent, guess, what, you have the ability to limit the time they spend on the phone.
Home school on an island off the coast, the mind control thing will be more effective then. | |
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