Cell phones for seven yr. olds?

[mommaU4]

I just saw an ad in a magazine for this. It has dedicated buttons for mom and dad. The ad talks about being 7 yrs old and needing it in case you miss the bus. (as one example of usage)
I'm sure most of you have seen this but I'm wondering if anyone has bought one?
Is this really necessary for a 7 yr old?
Do your kids have a cell phone and how old were they when they got it?

 

[TinkerBelle2992]

My 14th birthday was on the 9th, and I got a cell phone, after two years of asking.

 

[tiggerlover]

I suppose every person/situation is different and I have seen children of all ages with cell phones, however, I don't think it is necessary (in my opinion) for a 7 year old to have one. My DS will be 10 in June and I don't think he needs one either. For me personally I think DS will get a cell phone when he is going into middle school (age 11). The reasoning behind that is because he will be responsible for getting himself on the bus himself (school doesn't start until 9:10) and I will feel better knowing that he has a phone with him when I can't be there to see him off.

 

[mommaU4]

I can see a middle-schooler or high-schooler needing one more than I can a first or second grader. Maybe I'm just old-fashioned.

 

[disneyfanz04]

My daughter just turned 10 and has a cell phone. I am so glad she has it too. She has used it a couple times in emergancy...example...I was running late getting home the other day after school. I ws able to call her and let her know that I was only a minbute away. If she didn't have the phone she wo0uld have been in a sheer panic. It really is good to have.

For Christmas she got the Firefly cell phone(probably the one you are talking about), but I decided to put her on a plan instead. I really like that better, and she has proven responsibe as far as her minutes go. I think she has used a total of 70 for her first month.

I can't believe 4 months ago I was telling her she would not get one until she was 13. I wouldn't have it any other way now.

 

[MrsPete]

Yeah, I saw that ad. It bore no resemblance to reality. No 7-year old is going to be standing all alone in front of a school if he misses the bus. If you want to buy your 7-year old a phone, do it, but don't pretend it's a need! 7 year olds should never be left alone in a position where they'd need a phone.

 

[Laurajean1014]

I do not believe in a cell phone for any one under 10 or 13.

Lots of preteens have Firefly's. Three call option phones. I think they are a scam. Why pay $60 for the phone and they can only call three people? Get a tri-mode phone for about $10-$20 and block calls you don't want them to make.

Cheaper and more practical.

 

[LvsTnk]

I bought the Firefly for my son with special needs, the 3 buttons are perfect. We also had the sim card changed out and had him put on our plan.

 

[DisneyArk]

We have new neighbors and their 8 year old son has a Firefly cell phone. I was shocked to see it, but he is NOT responsible enough to have one. He's only lived by us for 2 weeks, but he has left his phone at our house every day! I usually find it on the floor under toys and have to keep giving it to him. Plus whenever his mom calls him, he is no where near the phone and she ends up coming over or calling on my home phone. I keep thinking he has no need for a cell phone.

It's funny to me because what I've seen is exactly what I would expect from a typical 8 year old boy. My sons are 6 and 8 and they are NOT ready for cell phones!

I don't mean to offend those who choose to buy them for their children. I'm just sharing what I've seen with our neighbor.

 

[Talking Hands]

I just saw an ad in a magazine for this. It has dedicated buttons for mom and dad. The ad talks about being 7 yrs old and needing it in case you miss the bus. (as one example of usage)
I'm sure most of you have seen this but I'm wondering if anyone has bought one?
Is this really necessary for a 7 yr old?
Do your kids have a cell phone and how old were they when they got it?

Both of my girls got cell phone when they got their drivers license and were driving on their own. 20 for one and 19 for the other. If your child at age 7 misses the school bus they can go to the office to call home. They don't need a cell phone. Actually even high school students can call home form the office if needed so that isn't a reason for needing a cell phone for any child.

 

[tmt martins]

Yeah, I saw that ad. It bore no resemblance to reality. No 7-year old is going to be standing all alone in front of a school if he misses the bus. If you want to buy your 7-year old a phone, do it, but don't pretend it's a need! 7 year olds should never be left alone in a position where they'd need a phone.

A couple of weeks ago here in MD. a 4 year old ( YES 4 YRS OLD ) was left in a rural area by a bus driver that later stated he was on a schedule and it's not right to the others or his responsibility for leavong the kids at their stop.

So with that IF money is not an Issue (or even if it is ) I think these type of Cells are great for emergencies like that or anything else (your phone is dead,out with Gram with no phone).I just think you should take every advantage that technology offers for safety but that is just me.

DD has had 1 since 9yrs.old she will be 13 this year .I have only had to talk about her paying (phone abuse ) twice in all that time.

 

[aprilgail2]

I have an extra phone on my plan that I have my mom use when she goes out in the car or if I drop her off in the mall....she shares that phone with my 6 year old who takes it when she goes on playdates or sleepovers ...her coat has a cell phone pocket built in on the inside and she keeps it velcroed shut in there unless she needs it. I like her to have it in case she wants to come home or feels to uncomfortable to ask to use their phone...its just nice for it to be there for her. I don't call her on it...its just there for her for emergancys and she shares it with grandma.

 

[Sylvester McBean]

our daughter was 10 when we out her on our verizon plan with her own phone. there's definately been a learning curve to it.

 

[Pam]

Both of my kids got cell phones when they were 15. They are now 20 and 17.

 

[disneyfanz04]

Lots of preteens have Firefly's. Three call option phones. I think they are a scam. Why pay $60 for the phone and they can only call three people?.

Just wanted to let you know that you can actually program up to 20 numbers into the phone. It really is a good phone. The phone can only recieve calls from the numbers that are programmed into the phone. And you can only call numbers that are programmed into the phone.

 

[debabe723]

DS got a phone when he started middle school and had to walk home by himself (no bus service). He's never abused it (he's 15 now), gone over his minutes or lost it. Since my commute was an hour away (and we lived in Earthquake country), I was more comfortable having access to him when I needed it. He still uses it mostly to call me or for the free long distance and minutes on the weekends to call his friends. It hasn't been a problem at all.

 

[nwdisgal]

What did we all do before the invent of the cell phone? We all managed to survive without one. I think 7 years old is way too young for a cell phone. Maybe as a pre-teen/eenager - but then they are on the phone all the time anyway.

 

[tmt martins]

What did we all do before the invent of the cell phone? We all managed to survive without one. I think 7 years old is way too young for a cell phone. Maybe as a pre-teen/eenager - but then they are on the phone all the time anyway.

Yes and I'm sure by your Avatar that you have just a B & W TV

And ride a horse as well

Who needs color TV and CARS .

 

[MAKmom]

My 9 & 11 yr DD have the cell phones & I love it. First they are the T mobile prepaid. They got them for Christmas they were not expensive...compared to the stupid toys I have bought over the years. Like 29.99 for walkie talkies that never work. You know you have all bought them. Stupid candle kits,Smores makers ect. DD9 calls me on the bus she has a little seperation anxity at time & I know it makes her feel better. I really like that I do not have to YELL for them when they are outside. I call her. If they are in a friends house I can get them on the cell. DD 11 goes skating with a bunch of girls every weekend & I can check in with her LOVE IT.

When they hit the teen years we get the globel tracking phones.

 

[Mishetta]

Our neighbor boy was 8 y/o when he got his cell phone & I always saw him outside with it showing off. My DS is 10 & only lately have I been lending him mine when he's been going to the neighbors to play. There are 4 neighbors that they house hop too & sometimes I just don't know where he's at, so I give him my phone this way when it's time for him to come home, I just call the cell instead of calling all my neighbors trying to track him down.

Today cell phones are more necessity than luxury items. Do I think a 7 y/o needs a phone ~ not really, but it is nice if he's at a friends & you want to get a hold of him without bothering the people who's house he is at.