This blog was a request from my cousin (whom should really have her own blog because she has lots of crap to talk about and great in-laws to rat about... hee hee ha ha!) and she has somewhat become my #1 fan since I started this whole blog journey.
She would like to know from all of you out there.... WHAT IS THE APPROPRIATE AGE FOR A CHILD TO HAVE THEIR OWN CELL PHONE?
Which kind? For what? For when? What limits?
She has a 7 year old son that goes bike riding with friends around the gated neighborhood that has it's in own park, etc. and he also goes over to his friends in the same hood, she always gives him her cell phone in case he should have to call home, or vise versa, but what about having his own?
So this is for Marci... please give advise for she is in a delima! She was thinking about buying a cell phone like this one, for kids only, to call Mom and Dad - 911, etc.
17 comments:
Marci,
Great idea but I am still on the fence about this whole subject... it will be great to hear what others have to say!
Love you much!
We just bought our 9 year old a phone - a fairly cheap one that also has a camera. He takes it with him when he goes anywhere and it gives us all a much welcome sense of security. He occasionally uses it to text friends but not often. We have it on a "pay as you go" tariff and he is still on his first lot of money!
These things really are a "must hat" when your kids start going places without you!
A story that, for me, sums it up. When my older daughter was 16 we were it town shopping when she wanted to go to the toilet. She went off on her own as it was not far. Outside the toilets she was cornered my an agressive beggar who demanded money. She slipped past him into the toilets, locked herself in and then phoned us for help. Without the phone I hate to think what might have happened.
Wow Rock Chef...good points!
Hmmm...I don't know about this one...my first thought was that children never used to have their own cell phones and everyone got along fine. My kids loose things left and right and I would hate to think about them loosing or leaving behind a phone!
On the other hand...Rock Chef's story brings a whole new light to things and the fact that I have major respect for him and think he and his wife are incredible parents! Then there's the fact that their children are older than mine also and I can say all day long that I would or wouldn't do this or that but when the time comes with my own kids...it might be a different story! So...
the flip side is...can you put a price on a child's (YOUR child's) safety? Maybe kids used to be "fine" before w/o cell phones but we are living in a 'different' time these days with different or should I say more prevelant dangers. I am sure there are many parents out there who have had horrible things happen to their children and mightm think back and wish those kids had a cell phone at the time.
So...I am sorry I was not much of a help to you on this one...I am still thinking thru things myself I guess. Great question and I too am looking forward to what others input on this. :0)
Good post - cuz I've been struggling with this one for years... I had hoped to have it figured out before my daughter was born this past summer - but that figuring out didn't happen... - Anyway stare in almost disbelief at these kids on their phones! All over the place! Kids on phones! - But, i've also given thought to situations similar to Rock Chef's - So, most likely I'll be getting our daughter a pretty basic phone as soon as she goes anywhere without us... but who knows..> i might still change my mind - I dunno
Thanks you guys....
my daughter is seven as well and I have flipped back and forth on this one. But I think Rock Chef might be right!
So Marci... what do you think about it?
Mr Zig,
Hello there.... :-)
Thanks' for everyone's
response/advice
I know that this question is on every parent's mind....And there is NO price in the world for are kids lives'
so I'm thinking that since he is getting older and is starting to leave the house more and more with out us by his side it is time to get him a cell phone BUT he is still to young to have a phone with all the special things like text messaging
so I'm thinking are best bet is the FireFly kids cell phone and when he gets older he can pass it down to our other kids.....
Thanks' again everyone
Thanks' Janeen for posting this for me Love ya.......
~Marci~
here in bahrain, children have phones rather early. my BIL gave his son a cell phone at 5 or 6. my BIL is divorced from his wife, so i guess it was an easy solution for the son to call and such.
but... this child gets everything that is inappropriate for his age, but most of the children in this country get such - since there's hardly any discipline and whatnot. anyway, this child has gone thru countless cell phones, the next always being better than the one before.
i personally think like rock chef and agree w/ having phones for such reasons. i just think that you need to watch the call sheet closely and make sure that he's not using it to charge up large amts each month... but what child, that age, has a huge list of ppl to call?!!
seems like nowadays that children are obsessed w/ cell phones... every where you look ppl are on them. not like several yrs ago when they were basically used for emergencies.
Tell her to just go ahead and have that tracking device implanted in his head whilst he sleeps.
What? Too judgmental? I guess that's just me...living into adulthood...without having had a cell phone til the age of 23...and only then because i was forced.
Kara,
Exactly, I say lets go for the chip! LOL
Dear Sister, Um Naief...
You know Naief will be just as spoiled (I can tell he already is at age 9 months!) ;-)
sister, NO, that's where you're wrong! you don't know how i intend to raise him... if you think that it'll be influenced by others, you are mistaken.
and sister, i don't think it's bad to spoil a little baby. i'm sure katelyn wasn't ignored! if you think spoiling is giving tons of love and not sitting by while he cries... then i'm spoiling him rotten and don't intend to stop!!! :)
dear sister,
i know you are the ultimate mother... but it seems like your panties are in a wad today! Yikes...
This post is not for you to be the "older and bully" sister. It's here to be loving, kind and peaceful... yah right! LOL
i'm sure Naief already has an i-pod! ;-)
Janeen....you are being to hard on your sister....You know that Katelyn is spoiled rotten too....all kid's are
Love ya
~Marci~
In our present day society I can understand why many parents would welcome the added security of their children carrying their very own cell phones.
It seems logical to give a child a phone when they start going places alone, without you. Each child has different levels of maturity or independence. So possibly go on a case by case basis. That simplified version on your post is very attractive.
But bottom line, I don't think kids should be given a phone too early. There is still not enough data on long-term exposure to the electrical fields and radiation.
when kids are galavanting around the neighborhood, I think that it is okay to have a phone to keep track. When the bill starts creeping up on you, you take the phone away and say...hey can't go out with out the phone, so are you going to not talk it up?
I want my kids phone to have gps on it, then I can go online and really see if they are where they say they are. I might do that to the car too!
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