Apple Iphone for teen - thoughts?

[DebMcDonald]

I'm a weird parent. I'll admit that right now. However, I would never do it. It's not a money thing for me. I just don't want my kids sucked into electronics all day. Kids are really losing touch with reality. Many of them text so much that they have forgotten how to have a normal conversation. I have 4 teenagers at home now and only the two oldest have a cell phone at all. Of those two, only the oldest has text allowed on the phone (he's 18 BTW). My 16 year old has a phone so that she can tell me if she is going to be late, etc. and because she's a driver and might need it in an emergency. So far, my plan has worked. Instead of texting all day, they have all pretty much gotten straight A's in school, gotten scholarships to college and have been amazingly able to communicate with other human beings. The funny thing is that they don't even ask for those things. It's a family culture. You can do what you want and I won't judge you for that because each family situation is different. However, you asked for opinions.

I have to agree with the above poster. I have a soon to be 18 year old with an LG Touch and I have her internet blocked. She can talk and text all she wants, but she does not in any way need access to the itnernet whenever she wants without parental supervision. Again, JMO.

On a positive note I do absolutely LOVE my Iphone and because I have Verizon I had to wait and wait and it was absolutely worth the wait.

 

[jrmasm]

I won't get one for my teen because I don't care to pay for a data plan for her. But I'm mean.

 

[angierae]

DD16 has had a cell phone since she was old enough to be somewhere without a parent which was 6th grade or so (she'd go to Teen Night at the library and call when she was ready to be picked up.) I also like for her to have a phone if she rides her bike/walks to a friends house, so she can text me when she gets there.

She got an iPhone this summer because Verizon was about to do away with unlimited data, and I wanted to grandfather her in. However, she had to pay for the phone, which ended up costing around $270 once she paid for the phone, the case, taxes, etc.) (She worked full-time this summer.)

I pay the $30 a month for her data plan. It was an expense, yes, but we pay for data plans for DH and I - it just seemed natural for her to have a smartphone as well (we have Droid X2s, but she wanted an iPhone, and since she was paying for it, she got to pick what she wanted.)

I don't think ten year olds need phones, but once your kid is old enough to go somewhere without an adult, they need a way to contact you. You can't count on their being a payphone somewhere, and she goes to the library on her own, or to the movies with friends, or whatever. I like knowing I can get a ohld of her, it lets me give her a bit more freedom without worrying overly much.

 

[ebhurleys]

I have the iphone4 and was extremely nervous about getting it (I tend to be clutsy). I have had no problems at all. Definately get a cover for it. I would say if your daughter has shown responsability with her itouch she would do fine with the iphone and then you will have the peace of mind knowing you can get in touch with her. My son wanted the keyboard so I got him a blackberry torch and he takes better care of that than anything he has ever owned. No more cheap phones for me the last few we have owned we have been horrible.

 

[Skatermom23]

Just an FYI: Costco not longer has a business relationship with Apple therefore they do do sell the Apple Iphone.

I have been looking at one for weeks now and just can't seem to wrap my head around the $30 monthly fee, per phone! Plus with this phone, you would have to have some sort of insurance just because of the cost. I think I will use my old one until it dies!

 

[williamson_ja]

Gosh, sometimes I feel that the generalizations made on these boards are utterly ridiculous. That is not said with any mean intent, but that is a pretty generalized statement stating that your children can communicate, scholarships, etc, because of the electronic restrictions you have placed on them. I am glad it worked for your kids, but on the opposite end of the spectrum my daughter is almost 14 and has an Iphone. Why? Because it was only 50$ and it combined the features of the Itouch and having a cell phone. She also has had an Itouch for 3 years before she got the Iphone a few mpnths ago. A phone was given to her by me because I need the peace of mind of knowing that she can always get me if needed because of all of her activities and I can always get in touch with her. She is well on her way to being a world class martial arts competitor already. She is a straight A student, communicates very well with other human beings and is on full scholarship this year at school in just the 8th grade and I suspect more to come for high school. I think it is wonderful that your children have done so well, but I truly dont believe whether a child has a cell phone or not will predict their future if a solid base is already in place.

So, to the OP, if you feel your child is responsible enough to have a cell phone, then you cannot go wrong with an Iphone. It is a good, solid phone and Apple is wonderful to deal with for any problems with it.

I was pretty sure someone would blast me for saying that. It's okay. I just meant that I really do see a lot of teens that get sucked into electronics to the point that they are not studying or doing anything productive. It doesn't mean that it happens to all of them. My older teens do have a phone to communicate. They just don't have anything fancy- basic phone that makes phone calls. We are also not a big video game house for the same reason. They did a new study that 50% of young married couples that divorce do it because the husband is addicted to video games and is not taking care of the family because of it. How sad. I see young girls texting their friends until 2-3 am on school nights and most parents think that is just normal fun friend stuff. I would think that they would do much better in school and in life if they actually went to bed instead. Every parent makes their own choices for their own family. That is your responsibility as a parent. We just make different choices than many families and I believe it has paid off.

 

[sbsteel]

I was pretty sure someone would blast me for saying that. It's okay. I just meant that I really do see a lot of teens that get sucked into electronics to the point that they are not studying or doing anything productive. It doesn't mean that it happens to all of them. My older teens do have a phone to communicate. They just don't have anything fancy- basic phone that makes phone calls. We are also not a big video game house for the same reason. They did a new study that 50% of young married couples that divorce do it because the husband is addicted to video games and is not taking care of the family because of it. How sad. I see young girls texting their friends until 2-3 am on school nights and most parents think that is just normal fun friend stuff. I would think that they would do much better in school and in life if they actually went to bed instead. Every parent makes their own choices for their own family. That is your responsibility as a parent. We just make different choices than many families and I believe it has paid off.

Now THAT'S crazy. 15% is a number I could believe, but not 50%.

OP, I finally caved and got an iphone when my upgrade was available because I also hated carrying both my itouch and phone. Granted, I'm much older, but it was nice to have both devices in one and it was one less thing to worry about.

 

[angierae]

DS14 got pushed into a pool with his phone in his pocket last week. His phone, not an i phone, was free, but to replsce it will be $160. Who will pay the $500 to replace her phone if something happens? Just something to consider.

My daughter knows that if she breaks her iPhone we will reactivate her cheapy "dumb phone" that she hates. That's threat enough.

 

[Kitzka]

Given that she carries them in her back pocket that is a cracked screen waiting to happen therefore not responsible enough. IMO.

Denise in MI

DH and I ahve iphones since the first one and have the newer iphone4s. The three of us at one time or another has carried our iphones in our back pocket. the screen has never cracked from that. mine has cracked when i accidently dropped it from 5 feet and it landed face down on the cement.

that being said i don't think they are as fragile as people say.

OP-i would call or go into your local verizon store and ask about data plans. I am with At&T so can't commment on verizon plans and you should also check about using one of your upgrades to get the phone for her.

my understanding is that the phone will be activated when you buy it so you may want to wait until dec.

Lara

 

[sillysmom]

OP, Only you know if your 13 year old is mature enough to handle an iphone. That being said, my daughter has had a iphone since she was 11, and is now 16. She is an honor student and like another poster, she has an extended family that overwhelms her with gifts during the year and especially at Xmas. She deserved it, and we can afford it, the two most important things. We trust her with her phone, and she has never disappointed us. If you feel that she is deserving go ahead and get her one, she will be thrilled with it. Myself and my husband have one as well, and I personally am addicted to the darn thing. Its like carrying around a little computer with you 24/7. I will also say that I monitor on the AT&T website, to make sure that she is not texting or using the internet during school hours, so far so good. It is pretty cool how you can do that on their website.
I was a little surprised I must say, at the poster who blocked the internet from her 18 year old. In this day and age, when you don't have reference books at hand, you need gps immediately, or especially when they are of driving age or hanging out with friends that do, I think that is important to have that available. Just my opinion.

 

[scottmel]

OP here. You guys were soooo helpful. I get my best info on these boards! I thank you all so much. I agree that all kids are different and as a parent, DD so far (knock on wood) has demonstrated maturity in never misplacing either phone or itouch and taking good care of both. Both have covers but a few times that touch has slipped out of a pocket and hit the floor. So I absolutely will get the best cover I can find for it and might even consider insurance? I guessjust being a little paranoid maybe! She isn't so much into texting nor really using it as a phone (heck I can't remember the time she talked on it!) but she sure does love those APPS on a 40 minute bus ride to school etc. We have a WII that only gets used in the winter I think when totally bored and she isn't much for the computer.....but loves those ITOUCH applications!

 

[thomas998]

OP here. i don't have an iphone myself and just gravitate towards that namebrand b/c it seems easy and cool to use! She doesn't carry a purse and is about as big as a string of spaghetti and looks comical with a touch in one back pocket and a phone in the other. Looks like a repairman! LOL. So she just tends to carry the itouch. If she has a current phone now (bought last Christmas but it ended up being close to free at costco) - I have Verizon - am I able to trade the phone in towards credit towards the iphone? Though if it is a surprise for Christmas that won't work so well as I would need to surrender the phone at trade in...Hmmm....Is that how a verizon trade works, I have never done it....She does so well in school - new school this year with demanding academics - and has been so organized and so on top of stuff. I want to reward her at the holidays! Thanks for the info....I know nothing about the iphone price/phone so hearing 200 was a nice surprise. Not as bad as I thought!

They seem cool because they are marketed very well.

The reality is that they are also very fragile devices. Where I work probably 25% of the people in my group have Iphones, I've also seen at least 3 of them broken in the past 6 months from the person either dropping it on accident (the screens crack easily) or the one guy who bent over and it slipped out of his pocket to instantly fry itself in a puddle of water.

Frankly I don't see the reason a kid that age needs an iphone... You do realize that when you buy one it will likely require not only a phone plan, but also a data plan... the end result is that it can become expensive very quickly... especially if they go beyond the data plan.... Also since it is a internet capable device you've just give your kid access to very easily access adult material on the web.... not to mention the ability to take photos and easily post them or send them (sexting is not unheard of).

I would probably give them a wifi only Ipad way before I would give them an Iphone.... might cost more upfront but would be much cheaper overtime.

 

[sillysmom]

Thomas, I don't think ANYONE needs an Iphone. Its a matter of what you want and can afford. Data plans for Iphone as well as texting, and phone service are a standard monthly fee, so as I said, if you can afford the data plans and texting fees, they stay the same with each bill. As for accessing the internet, most children have access to the internet on a home computer or a friends home computer, so if you felt as if they would do that on an iphone, maybe you should check the history on your PC or laptop at home, I don't think having an Iphone is going to cause any unusual behavior in respect to that.

 

[robinb]

OP here. You guys were soooo helpful. I get my best info on these boards! I thank you all so much. I agree that all kids are different and as a parent, DD so far (knock on wood) has demonstrated maturity in never misplacing either phone or itouch and taking good care of both. Both have covers but a few times that touch has slipped out of a pocket and hit the floor. So I absolutely will get the best cover I can find for it and might even consider insurance? I guessjust being a little paranoid maybe! She isn't so much into texting nor really using it as a phone (heck I can't remember the time she talked on it!) but she sure does love those APPS on a 40 minute bus ride to school etc. We have a WII that only gets used in the winter I think when totally bored and she isn't much for the computer.....but loves those ITOUCH applications!

I don't know if I would be willing to pay for an expensive iPhone service if my DD didn't use the phone feature very often.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I say go for it.. I always said that the iphones were overrated and tried to convince myself that the other phones are just as good, or better. Nope, at least not for me. I was always someone who switched phones frequently- not anymore.

If shes responsible and a good kid, why not?

 

[luvthemouse71]

Also, sexting can happen on a piece of crap phone as well. And in regards to iphones being fragile- get a good case. Ive dropped mine numerous times and not a scratch on it.

 

[williamson_ja]

Also, sexting can happen on a piece of crap phone as well. And in regards to iphones being fragile- get a good case. Ive dropped mine numerous times and not a scratch on it.

You can't sext if you can't text. You can have a phone and not have texting enabled. They work pretty well.

 

[angierae]

For the parents who don't let their older kids text - does this impact their social life? In my daughter's circle of friends texting is the ONLY way they communicate. Her BFF didn't have a cell phone for a long time and all the other girls complained how hard it was to get a hold of her to make plans or whatever.

Now, if she had a phone but no texting, they could call her, but most of the kids I know in my daughter's circle of friends (15 to 18 year olds) HATE calling people on the phone and will go out of their way not to, because a simple sentence via text will communicate what they need to communicate just fine.

She didn't have texting until 9th grade, but once she got to high school it was almost mandatory - even her marching band instructor texts the kids when he's got to make sure they know about a schedule change in a hurry.

 

[thomas998]

For the parents who don't let their older kids text - does this impact their social life? In my daughter's circle of friends texting is the ONLY way they communicate. Her BFF didn't have a cell phone for a long time and all the other girls complained how hard it was to get a hold of her to make plans or whatever.

Now, if she had a phone but no texting, they could call her, but most of the kids I know in my daughter's circle of friends (15 to 18 year olds) HATE calling people on the phone and will go out of their way not to, because a simple sentence via text will communicate what they need to communicate just fine.

She didn't have texting until 9th grade, but once she got to high school it was almost mandatory - even her marching band instructor texts the kids when he's got to make sure they know about a schedule change in a hurry.

My daughters will simply be deprived. They will not have cell phones and will not be texting. To think that "friendships" would suffer would be an argument that would make me laugh. A friend does drop you because they have to actually talk to you on a phone.... In fact maybe if more kids were forced to communicate by voice they would be better for it... texting is too impersonal frankly allows people to say things without thinking about the consequences... the catty comment is so much easier to make when you don't have to here or see the person you've made it to.

For my family texting is not an option... not now... not in the future.

 

[heartsy77]

My dd almost 16 has her dd old 3GS . Dd 12 wants one badly; but she has a plain Jane cell as her iPod touch was stolen one day after she got it.