Kids and Cell Phones

[all4fun]

No one else has brought this up, maybe because there isn't much evidence to support it, but a UK study was released recently suggesting that "children may be more vulnerable than adults to the potential health risks of using mobile phones". Here's a link to an article about that: http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,119283,00.asp

Of course like I said there isn't a lot of evidence to support health risks associated with cell phone use however I wouldn't personally want my child to be the guinea pig for that study. Just a thought.

 

[GatorGal]

Why does a 6yo need a cell phone?

Why shouldn't my daughter have the benefit of technology? If she's being followed by a suspicious car on the way home from school, I want her to be able to call 911.

 

[Eeyore'sthebest]

Nothing for or against the OP but Verizon Wireless markets a phone for the 5 to 10 year old set. We were just signing up the other week and my 5 year old was pointing out the phones she liked . That's when the salesperson pointed out this little green phone. You can pre-program 4 numbers. That's it - only has 4 buttons, no keypad, nothing! She recommended putting it on the family plan and programming in mom, dad, grandmom and grandpop (all verizon wireless numbers, of course, so that the calls are free). Of course I laughed and told her that one of us was with my DD at all times, or she was at school - no sale!

Of course, now that I think about it, how do you program in numbers with no keypad? Maybe Verizon has to do it. Hmmm, now that's going to bother me.......

 

[Marimar]

Why shouldn't my daughter have the benefit of technology? If she's being followed by a suspicious car on the way home from school, I want her to be able to call 911.

Just like I would not leave my almost six year old (will turn six next month) at any recreational class on a regular basis; I have once or twice (definitely not a justification to get her own cell, IMHO), but the coach is aware and they have my cell number and I have made sure I would be there before class let out. Anything else that would require a phone call to assist her, would be 911 wether I was there or not; or wether she had a cell phone or not.

You can bet there is no way, knowing what I know, that she would be walking from school by herself. Not that young! Maybe just me though

BTW, dd is gifted as well. I feel just because she can do things of higher thinking level than her peers, does not mean that she is psychologically ready to deal w/them. That is one reason we decided to keep her w/her peer group. We do a lot of enrichment activities at home and outside the house as well. You bet she is going to stay a little girl as long as other little girls her age should

Of course I laughed and told her that one of us was with my DD at all times, or she was at school - no sale!

My thoughts exactly!

 

[minkydog]

Just like I would not leave my almost six year old (will turn six next month) at any recreational class on a regular basis; I have once or twice (definitely not a justification to get her own cell, IMHO), but the coach is aware and they have my cell number and I have made sure I would be there before class let out. Anything else that would require a phone call to assist her, would be 911 wether I was there or not; or wether she had a cell phone or not.

You can bet there is no way, knowing what I know, that she would be walking from school by herself. Not that young! Maybe just me though

It's not just you. I'm the same way with my 12yo.

 

[HappyLawyer]

My daughter and my neice received theirs this year, they both are 9

 

[HappyLawyer]

Why shouldn't my daughter have the benefit of technology? If she's being followed by a suspicious car on the way home from school, I want her to be able to call 911.

There are going to be differing views on this subject, it is up to each family and what they feel is best, it is no one elses business and no one should be judging.

 

[Brooknwdw]

My boys (7&9) are not away from me enough to have a cell phone, unless they are at school they are with me or their dad.
But it sounds like your situation is unique...your child must have more than the average amount of activites away from you for a six year old. The average response for most parents is gonna be No, a 6yo doesn't need a cell phone.
In your case, the age number doesn't sound applicable.

 

[Mom to Jordan]

Giving a cell phone to a 6 year old does NOT make anyone a horrible parent. Putting that 6 year old in a situation where they NEED a cell phone might. A six year old child should never be without direct adult supervision. That does not mean that it would not be fun and exciting for her to have a cell phone. It is up to each parent to decide when their child recieves certain items. We choose to not allow DS to have a TV in his room until he was 12 but that certainly does not make us better parents than our friends that let their child have one at 5. I do worry what children will have to look forward to when they are teens when they get phone, I-pods, palms etc when they are so young. I too had read the artical on the dangers of cell phones to young kids and shared it with my best friend who's 8 year old LOVES her mom's cell phones. That was big on her santa list but is not going to happen!

BTW.I think it is so cool that EVERYONE on DIS board (including me ) has the smarted, most mature and advanced children in the world!! Must be DIS magic!!!!!

Jordan's mom

 

[bigmac5]

My 14 y.o. boy has wanted one for a while. On occasions I have lent him mine(so I can pick him up after the movies or a sporting event)He is getting one for Christmas. It is a prepaid one, so he will be responsible for paying for his card. He is frugile so I am sure he will use it wisely.

 

[Schmeck]

Gee, I feel like such a bad mother since I won't let my 12 yr old have a cell phone...

I don't think a 6 yr old should be left in any situation where she would need a cellphone. It does not make a kid any safer to have a cell phone. There's no guarantee that the cell phone could be used in case of an emergency.

DD14 got hers this August, as she has traveled with her skating team to various competitions out of state, and it was nice to be able to have her call us. It was handy at WDW, because she was allowed to go to a few attractions by herself. Of course, it fell out of her pocket on Mission Space, but the CMs found it and sent it to Guest Relations before she even noticed it was missing...

 

[BostonTink85]

My mom didn't get me or my siblings one until we were 16 and driving. That's when she said we would need one for emergencies, etc. My sister has one (15) but my mom makes her pay for it since she's not 16 yet. I think 6 is too young to need a cell phone, but that's just my opinion.

 

[alisonbestford]

I've told DD she can, maybe, have a mobile phone when she's 8
She's 7 at the moment, and I'd rather she forgot about the idea but that's more to do with cost than anything else.....
No-one, not just a child, should be in a position to 'need' a mobile phone but, I know I feel much safer when I'm out with mine - and I know my older kids (18 and 21) and DH have theirs.
No matter how hard you try there can be occasions where carefully made plans backfire
We rarely use our phones to do anything but text but the peace of mind that knowing you can get in touch brings me.....
I've seen something in the UK about kiddie friendly phones which sounds great-maybe that's something similar to the Verizon?

 

[pixiedust23]

I'm 23 now and I got my first cell phone at 16. I was the only one in my grade to have one (i got the phone instead of a sweet 16, which I viewed to be a big hassle tryinbg to hide all the drinking that would be going on from my parents). As for a 6 year old having a cell phone I think it's a luxory and not a requirement. If you leave your child unsupervised at 6 or in a situation where they would need a cell phone b/c a supervising parent wouldnt have one, that is what makes a bad parent. And as for "I didnt ask for rude statments" and "O gee I guess I'm a bad parent" comments. This is an internet message board. You're going to get answers you don't like. If you can't handle it, then don't post. (This is not said to be mean at all btw. It is a just true statement.)

BTW I teach and the cell phones have gotten so out of control, that if we even seen them in school at any time, we take them, and the parents have to go out of their way to come pick them up after school.

And I also agree with the risk factor of young children with developing brains and nerves using cell phones.

 

[Vijoge]

BTW.I think it is so cool that EVERYONE on DIS board (including me ) has the smarted, most mature and advanced children in the world!! Must be DIS magic!!!!!

Jordan's mom

LOL!

My granddaughters are struggling students and are not particularly mature for their ages (6 and 8). They can't remember where they put their mittens so I know they'd lose a cell phone!

On the other hand, I think the Firefly is a neat first phone and I won't be surprised to find myself buying one, or something similar, in the next couple of years.

My 16 y/o just got a phone last year for Christmas.

 

[Terri C]

My DD12 got hers last summer for her birthday. So far so good. She hasn't lost it or gone over on the minutes. My DD9 wants one (naturally) but she has to wait for middle school. I think every situation is different. Some kids can handle the responsibility and others can't. I think it's up to the parents to decide

Terri

 

[makinorlando]

My DD got her first cell phone when she was 7. It is on my plan, and it is kept in her backpack. I am a single mom, I work from home, and pick my DD up from school each day. At one point in 1st grade, two other mom's picked her up at times - and 2x they almost forgot her, as they switched days. My thought was if she had the cell phone, she could call and not have to find a teacher to go to the office, to call me. Other times, she came home to school on her bike with an older child in the neighborhood, and it made me feel good to know that if needed, she could call. I guess she is still at the age that she is not "into" the phone as much as an older child so we don't have a problem with minutes. My family is all in PA, and we all have the same carrier, so she can call them when she wants without and issues - since it is all "free". It is around $10/mo that I pay, for great peace of mind! Yeah technology!

 

[LoveWDW]

I hate to think of a 6 year old needing a phone, since I like to think that they are chaperoned very carefully. Yet, if I had a 6 year old, since I am a worrier, I might well get her one. Something I wonder about in this situation is that if the phone is lost that somebody else might use it and run up the bill? Or might get the home and business phone numbers from it?

 

[momx2]

For the record DD has been using our homephone for years now....She calls her grandparents everynight....she is more advanced than most kids her age....not only has she skipped a grade but she is in an advanced class. I like knowing that if she goes somewhere with friends or rides somewhere with someone besides us she can get in touch with us. and I can program up to 20 #s in there for her to call. she goes to a private school where they ARE allowed to bring their phones. I do drop her off at gymnastics it gives me time to run to the store. Sorry all of you think im such a horrible mother

I'm not saying your a horrible mother, but just because she is advanced academically, doesn't mean she is advanced socially. I would never want to put her in a situation where she would need a cell phone. But maybe I am missing something. I just wouldn't want the phone to be my security blanket. The watchful eye of a trusting adult is always better. Good luck in making your decision.

To answer your OP I would not even consider a cell phone until after elementary school.

 

[Steph in NC]

My 5.5 yr saw the little Migo phone at Verizon and wants it. It will be a while before she get a phone hubby has said. I'll get her one when she needs one. Right now she's always with someone else who has a phone and can call me.