wtnhunt Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Been kind of wondering about something. My 8 year old has asked a couple times over the past couple school years about getting a cell phone, because some of her popular friends have them. She gets a few calls a week and makes a few, hardly justifiable reason in her getting a cell. Of course I have told her each time that she has asked I really did not see any need in her having a cell phone and she understands, but seems some parents for whatever reason see it as being necessary for their young kids to have cell phones. Why does a kid in elementary school really need a cell phone? Is it just to establish a status symbol, or what? I just dont get it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimT Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it No way my eight year old would have there own phone. She does not need one. Heck, I do not need one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it Well, That is something that I don't understand either. Our daughter has asked for one also, keep telling her it ain't gonna happen!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OJR Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it I cannot see any reason for kids to have a cell phone. Even in high school! All it is is just another toy that they can play games with. Intead, use that money for their higher education. Once they have a degree, then they can get their own cell phones! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it Just incase you fall for the Parent trap(your daughters eyes)...try this: Get a pre-paid phone and set it on the table.... Then get the money that it would take to activate the phone, the money for all the minutes, and place it next to the phone. Let her know that the money it takes to get the phone working can be used for that with the stipulation of: When the moneys gone...the minutes are gone...Then its her responsibility to pay for any minutes after that. Could turn out to be a real lesson in how to handle money well. I like OJR's reccomendation about saving the cash for college too!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarvDog Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it NOT! There is no way. My son got his mobile phone in high school when he started driving. I can't think of any valid reason for kids younger than that to have phones...especially in elementary school. As a matter of fact, I just heard that Maryland is looking at banning cell phones for vehicles being driving by younger drivers with provisional licenses. Probably a different topic all together but anyway... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AaronS Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it I see it as another status symbol and nothing else. When my 10 year old step daughter asks for one I will tell her yet again to quit worrying about what everyone else thinks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tominator Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it Purely a status symbol at that age William. My 9 year old asked for one for Christmas this year. I think once they hit high school and they're involved with driving and extra curriculars we'll get our kids one, but not until then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Sauceman Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it Now days, if a child is mature enough to know when to really use one, I don't see why not..However, I got my son one when he was 15 years old and my daughter at 14... They are responsible for the minutes they use and have to pay if it goes over. It was a real good way to start them thinking about responsibilities and it was a bit of a relief knowing if something came up as an emergency, they could get hold of me or my wife. I guess it all depends on if the child understands about being responsible or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggs Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it I think Norm did the right thing, I'd say 15 a good age, kids need to fit in and enjoy things, but 8 years old is way...way to young. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun_300 Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it LOL i am 18 and i still don't have a cell. i don't really see the need ofr one myself. i wanted one in high school, but didn't need it, so my parents would not let me have one lol. once i get my truck in the summer, i will probably get a cell, just in case something happens, (shouldnt... it'll be a dodge ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DSGB Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it So this is what I have to look forward to in a few years. There is no way my daughter is getting a cell phone until she is old enough to drive. Then, she better have a JOB, because cell phones and gas don't pay for themselves. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it [ QUOTE ] Then, she better have a JOB, because cell phones and gas don't pay for themselves. LOL [/ QUOTE ] LOL. That is funny but so true. Think driving age would be good reason to have the kids one just in case they ever need it, but the elementary and middle school, kids I just dont see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulldawg Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it I can't even count the times that my kids have asked if they could get a cell phone! The answer is always no! Heck, I'm almost 46, and have never had the need for one, why is it so urgent that they really need one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Andrea Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it My 8 yr. old son has just started bugging me about that too. We told him no. However, when he starts driving he can have a Southern Linc radio like we have. It just won't be enabled with a cell phone. Kids are using cell phones with text messaging in school to cheat on tests. Sure have came a long way since I graduated! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
huntinsonovagun Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it I'll be 19 in a month and still don't have one! I admit, it would be nice to have at times, but that phone bill could go towards something I really need.......like a new rifle! The people without cell phones are now the minority... What I don't get is guys like RyanH go out and buy a $500 phone!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dartonman Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it Ohhh boy, Im sure Im in the doghouse...my 11 year old, who is in football, chess, basketball, christian youth group, and baseball has one....its the verizon plan, its only 10 bucks a month, pre paid with no contract, like a TRAC phone at the local stores is probably better, but his school doesnt allow him to use the office phone if he is running late after practice, and such...he hardly ever carries it, unless he is at an event that he needs to phone home for a ride, just Sunday night he called me when he had the stomach flu at a church youth party at a persons house, he called me from the bathroom, as he was really sick, and kinda embarrassed.....I feel he is responsible enough for it....he will be 12 in August. Call me crazy, but if the school he is at wont let him call home, and they get home from an away game late or early, I prefer him to have a phone to call, then beg a stranger......al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archerjg Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it I could see a teenager that is getting a license getting a cell phone, but I can not see an eight year old for any reason getting a cell phone. Archerjg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckbuster11 Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it 8 years old!!!! Wow!! I didnt realize kids that young were using them.....that is insane. I'm 22 so everybody that I know and their brother has one.. except for me. I hate them. I have a tracfone that I use only when I have to. I can possibly see the upside of a teenager having one when they get their drivers license...in case of emergencies. But before that I would say heck no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravin R10 man Posted February 8, 2005 Report Share Posted February 8, 2005 Re: dont get it No way!!......... Just got Lil Blonde a cell because of after school stuff, heck, she's not 16 yet.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted February 9, 2005 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 Re: dont get it [ QUOTE ] but his school doesnt allow him to use the office phone if he is running late after practice [/ QUOTE ] That is crazy, never heard of a school not allowing a kid to call their parent if they needed to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TOMSD5 Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 Re: dont get it my grandson just asked me for one last weekend, he's 12 now but i told him no way.... i do have one but i buy munite's for it and only use it in case of emergancy's.....but like norm say's it depend's on how responseable a child or person is when they have or get a cell phone... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wisconsinboy Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 Re: dont get it i dont see the need for one until you can at least drive so that the parents can find out where the kid is. ya know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaskMan Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 Re: dont get it I don't even have a cell phone!!! I teach 10 year olds, they are too irresponsible to take care of a pencil let alone a cell phone. Get her one,.........when she NEEDS one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Washi Posted February 9, 2005 Report Share Posted February 9, 2005 Re: dont get it My daughter is 11 and wants one. We've been thinking about letting her use an old Tracfone that isn't being used anymore as long as she earns the minutes. She is getting into sports and stuff but so far nothing that she needs to call to get a ride so I think we're going to try to put it off for a while longer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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