Pros for letting a 12 year old have a cell phone?

[donalduck]

I never insulted anyone. Also I am not on my high horse.

Wow - angry much?

Most people on here have been answering the OPs question about Pros of their child having a cell phone, politely. You, however, are shouting and insulting people. How about getting off your high horse and participating in a civil conversation?

 

[donalduck]

Did your parents use a computer when they were your age? If not, what makes you think you need one?

I don't need a computer I wanted one. Just like they don't need cell phones they want them.

 

[MomToOne]

I never insulted anyone. Also I am not on my high horse.

Really? How about:

It's all because the parents can't tell there kids no.

That's insulting all parents who choose to give their kid a cell phone.

 

[thomas998]

I just don't get it. So many kids have cell phones at an early age, and honestly - I don't recall my generation needing one!

My DD12 keeps asking for a cell phone. All I can thing about are the negatives. She really only has a couple of friends. She doesn't go many places by herself. We (or the other friend's parents) will drive the kids to there & pick them up afterwards. DD did walk to school, but now she is bused both ways right from our doorstep.

When I think how little it will actually be used, I'm having a hard time agreeing to the monthly expense.

My husband & I only have cheap pre-paid card type cell phones (speak-out) as we don't want to get sucked into large monthly data plans.

What am I missing? What are good reasons to get her one?

There really aren't any good reasons to get her one... unless you are trying to boost the share price of a wireless carrier.

The more connected your child is through cell phones and the internet the less connected they will be to actual human beings.

The reality is that on the rare occasion that a kid needs to have a cell phone with them because of where they are going, most parents can easily lend them their phone for that time. But most parents don't, I don't know if its because they are always trying to keep up with the Jones, or they are simply overly paranoid and afraid little John or Jill will be kidnapped the moment they step outside their yard... Frankly there are too many bad things that can happen when kids get cell phones to convince me that they are really worth it for a 12 year old. Think of how easy it is for one 12 year old to snap a quick nude picture of another kid, pass it along and before you know it everyone in that kids grade with a cell phone has looked at it and passed it about making them all guilty of a sex crime that can brand them for life if the prosecutor so desires... and that's only one downside.

 

[donalduck]

Really? How about:



That's insulting all parents who choose to give their kid a cell phone.

I don't think it's insulting to all parents that's your believe. No one NEEDS a cell phone. They want it. All that you NEED in this life is food and shelter so you get off your high horse.

 

[thomas998]

Ummm...let's see...I've been alone with my then 5 year old DD on the side of a freeway at night in a broken down car before. The cell phone was not merely a "convenience" at that point. While, technically, yes, I could have walked along the side of the freeway with my daughter for 1+ miles to get to a roadside phone that worked (if I was lucky - CA is removing many of them now because they expect everyone to have cell phones) it would have been dangerous in oh so many ways. Being able to call a tow truck on my cell phone wasn't a convenience at that point, it was something I thanked my lucky stars for!

Of course with the money saved not making a cell phone payment every month you might have been able to afford a more reliable car or been able to maintain your car better so that it didn't break down in the middle of nowhere.

A cell phone can make some things easier, but I've had years of experience living without one and even had my car breakdown in the middle of nowhere... A cell phone would have made things easier but such is life - I just walked a little more.

 

[MickeyManiac]

Of course with the money saved not making a cell phone payment every month you might have been able to afford a more reliable car or been able to maintain your car better so that it didn't break down in the middle of nowhere.

A cell phone can make some things easier, but I've had years of experience living without one and even had my car breakdown in the middle of nowhere... A cell phone would have made things easier but such is life - I just walked a little more.

WOW! How on earth could you know she couldn't afford to pay for the upkeep of her car? I'm glad you've never run over a nail and had a flat tire or any other out of your control issue with your car.

 

[NotUrsula]

Of course with the money saved not making a cell phone payment every month you might have been able to afford a more reliable car or been able to maintain your car better so that it didn't break down in the middle of nowhere.

A cell phone can make some things easier, but I've had years of experience living without one and even had my car breakdown in the middle of nowhere... A cell phone would have made things easier but such is life - I just walked a little more.

Well, maybe, but how do you know how much she paid for the phone? I pay $80 a year for my kid's cell phone service; I'm not sure how much added automotive reliability that $80 is going to buy you ... half a spare tire, perhaps?

I've had years of experience living without a cell phone as well, and if I were up against the wall financially and could not afford it I would give it up today, too, but right now I'm not. Giving my teen his own phone is a convenience primarily for me, not him, and I think the $80/yr. is a reasonable price to pay for that convenience. Would I give him a smart phone that costs $800/yr to service? No, but I can live with $80. (FWIW, my own phone has more bells and whistles, but I don't pay a whole lot for it, either, relatively speaking. It's $450/yr.)

Also, for the PP that mentioned problems with photos taken with phones, the answer to that issue is a more basic phone. Non-camera phones do still exist, but you usually have to make an effort to find them.

 

[Jey12]

Of course with the money saved not making a cell phone payment every month you might have been able to afford a more reliable car or been able to maintain your car better so that it didn't break down in the middle of nowhere.

A cell phone can make some things easier, but I've had years of experience living without one and even had my car breakdown in the middle of nowhere... A cell phone would have made things easier but such is life - I just walked a little more.

So from your statements here obviously not having that cell phone bill doesn't prevent car mishaps. Maybe if you'd spend less money on your internet connection you could have maintained your car better and it wouldn't have broken down? Because we all know that keeping a car properly maintained prevents any type of issue when driving. That's why insurance rates are so low.

 

[pantherlj]

Also, for the PP that mentioned problems with photos taken with phones, the answer to that issue is a more basic phone. Non-camera phones do still exist, but you usually have to make an effort to find them.

Yep, www.tracfone.com has a flip phone for $14.99 that does not have a camera!

Works great too. No dropped calls, clear reception.

 

[MomToOne]

Of course with the money saved not making a cell phone payment every month you might have been able to afford a more reliable car or been able to maintain your car better so that it didn't break down in the middle of nowhere.

I take very good care of my cars, thanks for your concern. However, things DO break randomly occassionally, with no warning. Ever pick up a random nail in your tire that causes it to blow? I have - several times. In my area of the country there was a lot of home construction for awhile so nails were everywhere in the roads. One time it was in the middle of a massive interchange where 3 different major freeways come together, and there was no real shoulder to get to for quite a ways - so I ended up in a median in the middle of it all. While I am perfectly capable of changing a tire - done it several times - there was NO way I was going to get out of the car to change the tire in that situation. That's what guys with big ole tow trucks to block the traffic and with the appropriate warning lights are for. I've also had several other other issues that had to do with the manufacturers not investing in the building of their cars properly, not me not taking care of my car.

And of course there was the situation where my car broke down BECAUSE I had had it serviced, and the dealership messed that service up! But I guess that sort of thing just doesn't happen in your perfect little world.

By the way - I only pay $5/month for my cell phone service. And it's worth every penny.

It just amazes me the way people make such massive judgements about people from behind a computer screen, based on one or two stray facts. From the fact that my car broke down, you decided I don't take care of my cars and that I either am apparently just scraping by to the point that I can barely cover my bills OR that I must spend SO much on my cell phone plan that I let the rest of my life go to the dogs. Or maybe it was all of those. Really???????????

 

[teacup princess]

I got my 10 year old one this year. An iphone no less. Does she NEED it? No. Probably not. We justified it because we have a farm that she is expected to do chores on so the $40 or so that we pay for her data plan each month is more than earned by her. I must say she LOVES her phone and I find it comforting to know that she has it with her at times that we are not with her. Plus, I'm of the opinion that this technology age we live in is not just going to disappear so the more comfortable they become with it at an early age the better prepared they will be for their future careers (compared to their mother and father who can barely manage to turn on the computer).

 

[MSSANDRA]

Well, DS19 got one at 11 because I love him and wanted to make him happy. It's called a little bit of spoiling and it did not hurt him at all. We are cell phone people. We spend little on clothes or other things many people do but we like to be connected and do not mind spending a little money to do so. We text...a lot. Only DS has a smart phone now. Yep, I do pay for it. He is a good kid in college and I don't mind doing it. We can afford it so that is all that matters.

When he was younger, it made me feel MUCH better about him going anywhere when he had that cell phone. You NEVER know when a sleepover, even with a trusted family, can turn sour and it can so help your child to save face with a secret call or text to mom for help.

I will not buy the expensive clothes or fancy cars or many of the other must haves for teens but I do the phone. DS5 will have one before 11 I am sure. Heck, he wants one now! It will be a few years but not too many!

 

[thomas998]

By the way - I only pay $5/month for my cell phone service. And it's worth every penny.

It just amazes me the way people make such massive judgements about people from behind a computer screen, based on one or two stray facts. From the fact that my car broke down, you decided I don't take care of my cars and that I either am apparently just scraping by to the point that I can barely cover my bills OR that I must spend SO much on my cell phone plan that I let the rest of my life go to the dogs. Or maybe it was all of those. Really???????????

Now I have to ask, how do you get a cell phone for $5/month? Please don't tell me you are getting one of those government subsidized cell phones.

 

[MickeyManiac]

Now I have to ask, how do you get a cell phone for $5/month? Please don't tell me you are getting one of those government subsidized cell phones.

Are you kidding me!!!! What has this person done to you? Are you just doing your best troll impersonation? Like I said...WOW!

 

[scrapquitler]

Now I have to ask, how do you get a cell phone for $5/month? Please don't tell me you are getting one of those government subsidized cell phones.

If you get a pre-paid one, and only use it rarely, then add money monthly or quarterly as required to keep your number active, it can cost as little as $5 or $10 a month, depending on the particular provider and plan you are using.
A small price to pay for the peace of mind of having it in an emergency.

 

[tlbwriter]

I don't need a computer I wanted one. Just like they don't need cell phones they want them.

So it's okay for YOU to have things that you want but don't need, but you disapprove of others doing the same thing.

 

[jackie101]

Of course with the money saved not making a cell phone payment every month you might have been able to afford a more reliable car or been able to maintain your car better so that it didn't break down in the middle of nowhere.

A cell phone can make some things easier, but I've had years of experience living without one and even had my car breakdown in the middle of nowhere... A cell phone would have made things easier but such is life - I just walked a little more.

That is uncalled for

 

[jackie101]

Wow this thread has gotten out of control .
But you have all convinced me that I am doing the right thing for my 11yr old daughter by NOT getting her a cell phone

 

[donalduck]

Now I have to ask, how do you get a cell phone for $5/month? Please don't tell me you are getting one of those government subsidized cell phones.

I am sure she is Thomas.