teens WITHOUT cell phones, email

[NewmanFamily6]

Well he is probably in the minority but that is okay if he feels like he doesn't need that sort of thing. I personally allow my DD13 to have a cell phone because of the sports she plays at school. I need her to be able to reach me when her team is almost back etc.

 

[KimR]

I am one of those people that you will never convince texting is better than talking,

You obviously have never tried to hold a conversation with my MIL

 

[mhsjax]

Exactly. You know, my grandparents didn't have indoor plumbing, electricity, TV, etc. and they got along just fine; however I certainly wouldn't want to do without those conveniences. I'm one to eagerly embrace new technology if it makes daily life more convenient.

I really don't care what others do for their kids, but what I don't get is people who shun technology on principle. Usually the reason is the same as I stated above: 'I got along fine for X years without one, why do I need one now?' The reason is that societal norms change along with technology. When is the last time anyone saw a pay phone? If someone truly has no need for these things that's perfectly fine; however, I think it's silly to refuse to adopt new technology out of sheer stubborness (I'm not referring to anyone specifically on this thread)

My Mother was the queen of technophobes. She complained constantly about my Dad's computer and refused to get a cell phone. Yet they paid several hundred dollars a year for a boat towing service in case they were out and broke down in the middle of the lake. Anyone see a problem here? When I asked my Mother how they planned to contact the towing service should they ever have a need her answer was they'd flag down another boat to call the service for them. Because, after all, EVERYONE has cell phones these days. Just crazy.

Are we related. My dad was just like this. And he retired from AT&T. Maybe that was why. He never could stand any kid of phones. Anyway, I love my cell and I go into panic mode if I forget to take it off the charger or just forget to put it in my purse. I don't use it that much, but I always think that the one time I forget it will be the one time that I really need it.

 

[mhsjax]

You obviously have never tried to hold a conversation with my MIL

Ok, you got me with one line. Now I see the convenience of texting. lol
My in laws are no longer with us, so I guess I didn't think about that one.

 

[Disneyadore]

When I asked my Mother how they planned to contact the towing service should they ever have a need her answer was they'd flag down another boat to call the service for them. Because, after all, EVERYONE has cell phones these days. Just crazy.

And that has also become a thing of the past. Nobody will answer to a flag down because mostly it are persons that try to contact you ,ask for a free tow and in the mean while try to rob you.

 

[Michelle and crew]

You obviously have never tried to hold a conversation with my MIL

hahaha... I get that one.

 

[Mimi1965]

I wouldn't call it a freak of nature, how about in the minority ;-) I don't see many 10+ year olds that don't have a cell phone & text. It is the way they communicate.

This is SO ridiculous and what is wrong with kids today

I let my kid use my cell when he started driving at 16-he got his own at 161/2.
There is no way a 10 year old HAS to have a cell.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Are we related. My dad was just like this. And he retired from AT&T. Maybe that was why. He never could stand any kid of phones. Anyway, I love my cell and I go into panic mode if I forget to take it off the charger or just forget to put it in my purse. I don't use it that much, but I always think that the one time I forget it will be the one time that I really need it.

My dad has anxiety issues and has never done well with talking to people (face to face or over the phone) unless he happens to be in just the "right" mood (rarely). I have gotten to have so many more "conversations" with him since email and chat came about. He will type all day long without issue--it is just talking he can't handle.

Ok, you got me with one line. Now I see the convenience of texting. lol
My in laws are no longer with us, so I guess I didn't think about that one.

(ETA--laughing that she got you--NOT that your in laws have passed away; I am sorry about that).

 

[NHdisneylover]

This is SO ridiculous and what is wrong with kids today

I let my kid use my cell when he started driving at 16-he got his own at 161/2.
There is no way a 10 year old HAS to have a cell.

But why is it ridiculous if they WANT to and their parents provide it and they take care of it? (ps, go back and read my explanation of how my kids get home from school and then tell me if you truly feel it is ridiculous for them to have a cell; they are travelling as independently as they would if they were driving).

 

[Savikins]

I got my kids phones when they were young for myself, not for them. I like knowing I can reach them or they can reach me at any time & for any reason.

By the time my kids reached 5th grade I noticed that ALL of their social interactions happened by texting and that if they didn't have a call they weren't going to be contacted. This new generation has a hatred of telephones which totally baffles me, they are really firm on it. I don't want my kids left out so I got them text friendly phones with unlimited texting, we have the AT & T family plan. I know it's a bit pricey but in 6 years my kids will be out of the house and the expense will become their problem so for 6 years, I can deal with it.

I don't think the phones are about status exactly, it's more on an identity issue, texting is the Millennium Generation's 'thing'.

Exactly. It's one of the major aspects of life nowadays.. especially for kids born in this generation.

I've had a cell phone since 6th grade and unlimited texting since 7th grade. Currently, I only have one friend who doesn't have a cell phone, and that's not because his parents won't give him one or because he doesn't want one. I'll tell you this, it's a real pain trying to get a hold of him.

I don't like calling my friends' home phones because 1) I can't call them later than 9 pm or I'd feel rude, and 2) I think there's something about the fact that when you call a home phone, you risk interrupting a parent's phone call or waking someone up from a nap. People are basically expected to have cell phones with texting these days.

Email isn't something I ever use, unless it's for school things, coupons, or activating forum accounts. If I want to get a hold of a friend that I can't text I'll usually send them a message on facebook. I have multiple email accounts anyway, though.

Edit: I don't think kids under 10 or so need cell phones, unless they're used to contact parents. In that case, I'm sure my mom would've gotten me a cell phone when I was 10 (I'm sure it would have calmed her nerves to know I had one). I guess I just can't picture a 10 year old being as socially needy as a highschool teen.

 

[golfgal]

I'm 43, and think texting is the best invention ever! Right after school, while waiting for my kids at the grammar school, I get 2 texts, from dd14 and dd12, tellling me where they are going. I get texts from coaches on a daily basis, with practice reminders, or changes. Last night at open house, DH and I were trying to cover the kids' classes, and he doesn't have texting (blackberry through work). I could've killed him when he called me, asking where I was (wouldn't have had to do that if he had texting). I needed to get a message to dd14 about a change of plans right after school - sent her a text at noon, knowing she'd get it right after school, as soon as she turned her phone on. Quick questions, quick answers. Nice and tidy.

I agree. I think one thing that turns a lot of adults off from texting is having to text on a phone pad. DH wouldn't text because he couldn't really do it using a regular phone pad. His new phone has a slide out full keyboard and he texts all the time now. Texting is just like email to me. You send the text off when you can and the recipient can reply when s/he can.

I see no reason for teens NOT to have a phone. Do they need one, no, but they sure are convenient.

 

[KimR]

My dad has anxiety issues and has never done well with talking to people (face to face or over the phone) unless he happens to be in just the "right" mood (rarely). I have gotten to have so many more "conversations" with him since email and chat came about. He will type all day long without issue--it is just talking he can't handle.

I'm like that too and that's one reason I love cell phones for my kids. If they are over at a friend's house I can get in touch with them via their cell rather than calling their friends' home. I don't have issues talking to my family - it's just people I don't know VERY well. And I especially hate calling when I'm not sure who's going to be picking up the phone. I know, it's weird and difficult to understand if you don't have this issue. Email, computers, cell phones, etc has truly made life so much easier for me in that way.

It's ironic in a way because I keep hearing how we are more isolated now due to technology, but I feel the exact opposite. It's help me connect with people in ways I never could have before.

 

[golfgal]

I'm like that too and that's one reason I love cell phones for my kids. If they are over at a friend's house I can get in touch with them via their cell rather than calling their friends' home. I don't have issues talking to my family - it's just people I don't know VERY well. And I especially hate calling when I'm not sure who's going to be picking up the phone. I know, it's weird and difficult to understand if you don't have this issue. Email, computers, cell phones, etc has truly made life so much easier for me in that way.

It's ironic in a way because I keep hearing how we are more isolated now due to technology, but I feel the exact opposite. It's help me connect with people in ways I never could have before.

I credit DS18's cell phone, and specifically texting, for him making friends. He is a super shy kid and did not have a lot of friends growing up because he would never make the first move. Texting gave him that comfort level to do that . Texting for him pretty much changed his life.

 

[NHdisneylover]

I'm like that too and that's one reason I love cell phones for my kids. If they are over at a friend's house I can get in touch with them via their cell rather than calling their friends' home. I don't have issues talking to my family - it's just people I don't know VERY well. And I especially hate calling when I'm not sure who's going to be picking up the phone. I know, it's weird and difficult to understand if you don't have this issue. Email, computers, cell phones, etc has truly made life so much easier for me in that way.

It's ironic in a way because I keep hearing how we are more isolated now due to technology, but I feel the exact opposite. It's help me connect with people in ways I never could have before.

I am a little like that--I hate talking to people I do not know well on the phone too (but family/friends are good). DH and I fight over who has to call the pizza place, or the ballet school or whatnot If email is an option we ALWAYS take it for that type of thing.

To the bolded--I agree. Living on another continent from our family (and many friends) it is all this technology that allows to continue to have really strong and close relationships with each other. My DD is a great email correspondent and my mother in laws says she is truly mroe aware of what goes on in my DD's life than she is of the three grandkids who live nearby. They do not use that technology to stay in contact and rely on seeing her but then that ends up only being once or twice a month--whereas DD might email a quick note about what goes on in her life 3-4 times in a week and call once as well.

 

[luvmy3]

This is SO ridiculous and what is wrong with kids today

I let my kid use my cell when he started driving at 16-he got his own at 161/2.
There is no way a 10 year old HAS to have a cell.

Thats a matter of opinion. When my dd was younger than 10 I felt she had to have one, and now that my ds is almost 10 I am thinking he should have one too.
I'll never understand why people feel their opinions about cell phones is right for everyone. We have our reasons, just because you don't think its necessary doesn't make it true

 

[Disneyadore]

My dad has anxiety issues and has never done well with talking to people (face to face or over the phone) unless he happens to be in just the "right" mood (rarely). I have gotten to have so many more "conversations" with him since email and chat came about. He will type all day long without issue--it is just talking he can't handle.

.

This reminds me of a very sad story. We had cells phone call from an older gentleman who thought I was his daughter.
He called up up twelve times a day and night. After a while I stopped telling him he got the wrong number and just talked to him. I found out where his daughter worked and her name. He also told me his profession. I Googled his name and surprisingly he was a very famous Jewish diamond jeweler.
I contacted his daughter and she really had no idea her father was trying to contact her and after a few weeks she called back with the very sad story that her father was suffering from dementia and the family had no idea this was happening.
Thank God for cell phones.

 

[MichelleVW]

My kids do have phones and text, but we must be living in an alternate universe, none of my kids activites use texting for anything, they do e mail but not text. I think I like where I live more and more. I hate texting, JMHO. /thank goodness my kids aren't that fond of it either. But they do love their phones, and so do I. It makes it so much easier to get in touch with them if I need to or if they need me.

Honestly I think you do live in an alternate universe. My girls text, their friends text and that is how all their plans are made. We lived in North Dakota and the kids would all text, we live in Texas and once again, that's pretty much all plans are made. My DD uses over 2000 texts a month and will only use about 20 minutes of air time and she is the norm.

 

[Michelle and crew]

Honestly I think you do live in an alternate universe. My girls text, their friends text and that is how all their plans are made. We lived in North Dakota and the kids would all text, we live in Texas and once again, that's pretty much all plans are made. My DD uses over 2000 texts a month and will only use about 20 minutes of air time and she is the norm.

We like it to keep in touch with family and friends out of the area. my guys text with my dad, when they would never bother him with a call. Same with friends that moved away.

 

[golfgal]

Thats a matter of opinion. When my dd was younger than 10 I felt she had to have one, and now that my ds is almost 10 I am thinking he should have one too.
I'll never understand why people feel their opinions about cell phones is right for everyone. We have our reasons, just because you don't think its necessary doesn't make it true

I am of the belief that you don't even need a reason to get them a cell phone, if you want them to have on, buy them one . You need no more reason that that. We bought DS18 his first cell phone because WE wanted him to have one, he didn't even ask for it but I was tired of waiting in the school parking lot for him to come home from cross country meets so he was to call us when they got to town and we would go pick him up. I think he used 13 minutes all year but it sure made MY life easier .

Honestly I think you do live in an alternate universe. My girls text, their friends text and that is how all their plans are made. We lived in North Dakota and the kids would all text, we live in Texas and once again, that's pretty much all plans are made. My DD uses over 2000 texts a month and will only use about 20 minutes of air time and she is the norm.

I don't think my kids even use 20 minutes of air time combined but I agree, 2000-3000 text messages a month is pretty common. If you say that an average text takes a kids 15 seconds, and that is being generous, that is about 6 minutes/day spent texting, big deal.

 

[DeniseinNS]

I thinking cell phones are fine to have, if they are used in moderation, when my kids get to the teen year I will let her take one of our cell phones if they are going out and needs to get ahold of us, we do not text so it will be for phone use only. I would consider getting them a basic phone when they get older (14-15) but if they want a phone with texting they will have to pay for that on their own because I don't feel that it's a "need". IMO 11 is way too young to have their own phone.

Texting seems to be taking over and I feel like it's really getting out of control with how many people are obsessed with it. The majority of people I work with cannot put their phone away long enough to work even a 3 hour shift so they are constantly hiding off in a corner texting when they should be doing their jobs. I know of so many teens that text constantly and cannot put it down even to have a dinner with their families. It's ok in moderation but thousands of texts a month is nuts.