Kids and prank calls - would you call the other parents?

[SweetJoy]

My 11 yo son just got back from a small birthday outing. On the way (in the host parent's car), his friend grabbed my DS cell phone and made about a dozen prank calls in the space of 2 or 3 minutes. Just calling, making dumb noises and hanging up. One of the people that was pranked called my DS cell phone back - but apparently didn't make an issue of it. We've spoken to our son, took his phone away and had a loong talk about being more assertive and making sure nobody takes his phone without him trying harder to get it back! DH wants to call the other boy's parents and let them know about the calls - we had our DS text his friend and let him know that we know all about it and he's not to touch DS phone again. I'm of a mind to let it go at that since it's the first time - WWYD?

 

[Janepod]

My 11 yo son just got back from a small birthday outing. On the way (in the host parent's car), his friend grabbed my DS cell phone and made about a dozen prank calls in the space of 2 or 3 minutes. Just calling, making dumb noises and hanging up. One of the people that was pranked called my DS cell phone back - but apparently didn't make an issue of it. We've spoken to our son, took his phone away and had a loong talk about being more assertive and making sure nobody takes his phone without him trying harder to get it back! DH wants to call the other boy's parents and let them know about the calls - we had our DS text his friend and let him know that we know all about it and he's not to touch DS phone again. I'm of a mind to let it go at that since it's the first time - WWYD?

I would inform the kid's parents: "No big deal, just wanted to let you know ..."

 

[clh2]

My DD was part of a small group of prank phone callers...I found out from the parents were DD was sleeping over.

I am SO glad they called me and I knew what was going on.

DD received an appropriate punishment from DH and me.

Hope this helps your decision.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

My 11 yo son just got back from a small birthday outing. On the way (in the host parent's car), his friend grabbed my DS cell phone and made about a dozen prank calls in the space of 2 or 3 minutes. Just calling, making dumb noises and hanging up. One of the people that was pranked called my DS cell phone back - but apparently didn't make an issue of it. We've spoken to our son, took his phone away and had a loong talk about being more assertive and making sure nobody takes his phone without him trying harder to get it back! DH wants to call the other boy's parents and let them know about the calls - we had our DS text his friend and let him know that we know all about it and he's not to touch DS phone again. I'm of a mind to let it go at that since it's the first time - WWYD?

I'd want to know.

 

[Sgt Mickey]

I think it is funny how kids think they can prank in this age of technology.

My son had a sleep over here and the kid was pranking people on both phones I guess. My son was also punished but I was like really how did you think they wouldn't know it was you?

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

We kept getting prank phone calls when my son was in middle school. Now this was a while ago, so I had to *69 the phone to get the number the call was coming from. I called but kept getting the kids answering, no parents.

I finally went through the school phone number directory, found the boy who was in my son's class. Told his mother in person. She was grateful I told her.

I think it is a normal thing for boys that age, but since it can get out of hand telling the parents in a "thought you might like to know" way is called for in this situation.

 

[Hannathy]

I wouldn't call. You deal with your son and they can deal with theirs, he will eventually get caught.


Kids have been prank calling since the dawn of telephones! It is a minor blimp on the radar of growing up, relax.

 

[luvmy3]

I wouldn't call the parents. If it keeps happening, maybe, but not for just this one time.

 

[goofyintoronto]

My 11 yo son just got back from a small birthday outing. On the way (in the host parent's car), his friend grabbed my DS cell phone and made about a dozen prank calls in the space of 2 or 3 minutes. Just calling, making dumb noises and hanging up. One of the people that was pranked called my DS cell phone back - but apparently didn't make an issue of it. We've spoken to our son, took his phone away and had a loong talk about being more assertive and making sure nobody takes his phone without him trying harder to get it back! DH wants to call the other boy's parents and let them know about the calls - we had our DS text his friend and let him know that we know all about it and he's not to touch DS phone again. I'm of a mind to let it go at that since it's the first time - WWYD?

im sorry but am i the only one who thinks its strange that the parent driving didn't say anything while it was going on? seriously. how do you not know? they're in the car for crying out loud.

btw I would probably tell the parents.

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[SweetJoy]

im sorry but am i the only one who thinks its strange that the parent driving didn't say anything while it was going on? seriously. how do you not know? they're in the car for crying out loud.

btw I would probably tell the parents.

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I thought so too! Especially since my son was in the back seat and his friend was in the front - I found a short video clip timed 5 minutes after the pranking and it shows my son saying 'give it back already' two or three times and his friend just cracking up. And his friend was in the front passenger seat of the minivan.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I thought so too! Especially since my son was in the back seat and his friend was in the front - I found a short video clip timed 5 minutes after the pranking and it shows my son saying 'give it back already' two or three times and his friend just cracking up. And his friend was in the front passenger seat of the minivan.

what the hell? what is wrong with that parent? I would not allow that to happen. How he or she can sit there and say nothing is beyond me. I wonder what else this kid gets away with at home!? in this case, you bet I would call the parent and ask why he or she allowed this to happen with your sons phone, why didn't he/she step in. ridiculous!

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[shinysparklybubbles]

Can your son put a passcode on his phone?

 

[FayeW]

I think you are being ridiculous taking your son's phone. Seems to me that you are punishing the victim. You've got him on video asking several times for his phone back while the adult in charge ignored what was happening....geez, how much more proof do you need?

He did nothing wrong and more importantly, he knew what the other kid was doing was wrong and tried to stop him. The fault lies with the parent who did nothing to stop his/her kid, not your son.

 

[SweetJoy]

what the hell? what is wrong with that parent? I would not allow that to happen. How he or she can sit there and say nothing is beyond me. I wonder what else this kid gets away with at home!? in this case, you bet I would call the parent and ask why he or she allowed this to happen with your sons phone, why didn't he/she step in. ridiculous!

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The parent was the birthday girl's dad - not the boy who made the calls. But yeah, don't understand how or why he didn't notice or stop the shenanigans going on.

Can your son put a passcode on his phone?

I'll have to check on that tomorrow.

I think you are being ridiculous taking your son's phone. Seems to me that you are punishing the victim. You've got him on video asking several times for his phone back while the adult in charge ignored what was happening....geez, how much more proof do you need?

He did nothing wrong and more importantly, he knew what the other kid was doing was wrong and tried to stop him. The fault lies with the parent who did nothing to stop his/her kid, not your son.

We already gave it back to him, as soon as we realized he wasn't participating in the pranking.

 

[goofyintoronto]

The parent was the birthday girl's dad - not the boy who made the calls. But yeah, don't understand how or why he didn't notice or stop the shenanigans going on.

I understand that. I still think its ridiculous that a parent was in the car and did nothing. id have a few words with that parent. and i agree that your son did nothing wrong.

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[aprilgail2]

I wouldn't call the parents. If it keeps happening, maybe, but not for just this one time.

He did nothing wrong and more importantly, he knew what the other kid was doing was wrong and tried to stop him. The fault lies with the parent who did nothing to stop his/her kid, not your son.

I agree- If I was to call ANYONE it would be the stupid parent who drove that let it happen!!

 

[mombrontrent]

There is no way I would be calling the other parents. I try not to get overly involved with my kids friends and their parents unless their is a health or safety issuse which there clearly is not in this situation. I don't go "tattle taling" for minor issuse.

 

[luvmy3]

The parent was the birthday girl's dad - not the boy who made the calls. But yeah, don't understand how or why he didn't notice or stop the shenanigans going on.



I'll have to check on that tomorrow.



We already gave it back to him, as soon as we realized he wasn't participating in the pranking.

I understand that. I still think its ridiculous that a parent was in the car and did nothing. id have a few words with that parent. and i agree that your son did nothing wrong.

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I'm not defending the parent driver, but what did you expect him to do? Should he have pulled the car over and grabbed the phone out of the kids hand? Should he have done that as he was driving a van full of other people's kids?
If it were me, I would have told him to knock it off and give the phone back, but if it wasn't my kid there would be nothing I could do to make him do that. I would mention it to his parent when they picked him up or I dropped him off, and let them deal with him.

OP, did your ds say the driver told him to stop, or did he say he did absolutely nothing?

 

[snykymom]

I would call the parent, as noted in a "Just wanted you to know" type way. They're at an age where "boys will be boys" pranks can escalate easily and quickly into bullying, sexting, and other troublesome electronic behaviors. (No, I'm not saying that this behavior will always escalate, or that every boy who does this will become a bully or a serial killer. But these are things that parents need to keep an eye on.)

Prank calling is, to me, the minor issue. Grabbing someone else's property is more serious. You want to prank call from your own phone? Fine. You want to get someone else in trouble for it? Not so fine. And if the kid had broken the cell phone? Still no big deal?

Tell the parents. For all you know, this may not be the first problem. Since the kid is 11, the parents still have time to nip problems in the bud.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I'm not defending the parent driver, but what did you expect him to do? Should he have pulled the car over and grabbed the phone out of the kids hand? Should he have done that as he was driving a van full of other people's kids?
If it were me, I would have told him to knock it off and give the phone back, but if it wasn't my kid there would be nothing I could do to make him do that. I would mention it to his parent when they picked him up or I dropped him off, and let them deal with him.

OP, did your ds say the driver told him to stop, or did he say he did absolutely nothing?

Simple, tell the kid to knock it off! how hard is that? I don't care if it was my son or his friends. I would tell him to stop. If he doesnt listen I would be more firm with my second warning. and yes, pull over if needed. I wouldn't just sit there and let the nonsense continue!

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