The times, they are a changin.......

[fireplug]

Our daughter posted on Facebook about her wireless bill today. Papa's oldest granddaughter Raegan, at near 14 years old, stacked up 6,434 texts in one month. I have sent half that many in my entire LIFE!


Squid

 

[Reddy]

hmmm sounds like a girl I know - she does more than that (sends bible verses everyday to about 50 people - they discuss later in the day)

 

[JJ&JHsmom]

Was that the total or just the ones she sent? DS has racked up over 10,000 between sent and received! But he only used about 20 minutes of phone time and most of that was to me.

It is the way their generation communicates. They do not have actual conversations anymore.

 

[fireplug]

Sent I think that is all they count but dont know for sure!

Squid

 

[disney-akj]

When our kids get in middle school is when they get a cell phone. Our DD1 racked up just under 1,000 in her first month before she had even given her cell phone out to most of her friends because of Christmas break. Luckily we have unlimited text? I text quite a bit myself though I would say between my DD1, myself, and my husband that we text a lot.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

We have unlimited but after DS16 sent over 10,000 the first month, I put a limit on it. AT&T has smart limits, I can limit texts, time of day the phone can be used, block numbers etc.
I can also set numbers that can go through or be called during the blocks, mine, DHs, grandma, granddad, Nancy and our house.

He's limited to 6000 texts and no calls in or out between 10pm and 5:30 am

 

[mommy2mrb]

wow, hope they have unlimited texting!


Megan just got her new phone ( well my old phone LOL) a couple weeks ago...but only has a couple of friends on her contacts right now since its summer...believe me I've put very strict rules on it...only a few friends, NO BOYS! or call/text after 8pm and I have to approve of who is in her contacts

 

[lovingthemouse]

Thank heavens cell phones were not fashionable when my daughters were in their teens - they are all over 30 now!!! Can't imagine what we might have gone through.
DGS is 14, and my daughter has placed limits on his phone..

As a teacher though, I find them an incredible distraction. In my opinion, if a school makes rules regarding cell phone use, they need to follow through, mine did not!! Kids had them out during class, texting etc...and many times if you asked for them, they refused to give them up!! How dare I ask for them?????

 

[morgansmom2000]

Morgan got her phone at the beginning of 5th grade (she's starting 7th in 3 weeks and 6 days), but didn't have texting until this spring. She doesn't over use it, and we do have limits, but I can see changes happening sooner than later.

 

[pumpkinpatchquilter]

I must be the mean Mom on disboard...and in my town too for that matter! My daughter is ten and many of her friends have cell phones. I just don't see the purpose that young of an age. I am conflicted on the issue. Some people say it's for safety while they are at school...but then I think of how many years kids went to school just fine without phones. I see it almost as more of a hinderence than a help. I suppose I can understand if the parents are separated or the parents work a lot and want to stay in contact. Other than that... This thread makes me think even when the time comes that the daughter does get a cell phone...there will have to be some kind of cap on texts because any more than 600 in a month to me seems excessive. I have sent the phone with my daughter to friends houses if I don't know the parents well...but I'm still not one to send my children to someone's house unless I've met with the parent and feel comfortable. Maybe I'll cave into pressure in a few years? I guess we'll see.

 

[joyah]

That's a lot of texting!!

That's why the boys have trac phones. I will buy them a card every 3 months if they use up their time before hand they have to pay for the card. Both phones have double mins for life so if I buy them a 60 min card they get 120 and they get 3 texts per min I believe. Levi I do buy a bigger min card for because he and I communicate that way. Eric just got a phone that has the letter pad on it with middle school I know he'll start texting more.

I only have 250 texts on my phone a month and haven't needed more.

 

[morgansmom2000]

Morgan got hers at 10 because she was not going to be riding a bus home from school and we weren't able to get her "immediately" after. We needed to be able to find her, and she find us. She does not use it IN school, ours was a safety issue. Had we not needed it for that, she still wouldn't have one.

 

[joyah]

Jen I know what you mean abt safety. Eric's had one since 10 too. He rides a very back poorly maintained road in the winter and the am bus driver is a real ding dong. And with only elem kids on the bus I knew very few would have them so the 20 every 3 months was peace of mind. I could never deal with my kiddo walking at that age, but then again I don't live anywhere for them to walk too.

 

[morgansmom2000]

She doesn't walk (alone), because I'm not that easy going She goes to the library, she walks with a friend, or she stays after for an activity. But, we need to be able to get in touch with her after school to let her know where we are and/or to know that we're on our way.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I must be the mean Mom on disboard...and in my town too for that matter! My daughter is ten and many of her friends have cell phones. I just don't see the purpose that young of an age. I am conflicted on the issue. Some people say it's for safety while they are at school...but then I think of how many years kids went to school just fine without phones. I see it almost as more of a hinderence than a help. I suppose I can understand if the parents are separated or the parents work a lot and want to stay in contact. Other than that... This thread makes me think even when the time comes that the daughter does get a cell phone...there will have to be some kind of cap on texts because any more than 600 in a month to me seems excessive. I have sent the phone with my daughter to friends houses if I don't know the parents well...but I'm still not one to send my children to someone's house unless I've met with the parent and feel comfortable. Maybe I'll cave into pressure in a few years? I guess we'll see.

I'm not sure about verizon but ATT has smart limits. I pay $5 a month for the blocks and limits. I also blocked the camera and the internet on it.

DS16 didn't get his phone until HS, I did get it a little early because we were going to DC on a class trip and he was not in my group.

I got him a phone solely because of sports. Practice ends varied widely as did trips to meets. Once he was clear across the state and the bus was broken down. If he hadn't had a phone we would have been sitting at the school for hours waiting. They had to wait for a bus to come clear across from our town to get them, 1 1/2 hour drive each way.
Finally DH ended up going to get him because the estimated arrival time was 1 am, and they had school the next day.
The other 3 are asking for phones but the same rules will apply, HS and only of you are in a sport or music.

 

[Reddy]

Mom was telling me about phones in school
one kid text the test he was taking to a kid in the same class but later in the day - both sets of parents had to come to the school for that one
you do need to know what the cell phone policy is at each campus - some have it where you must keep it in your locker others they just can't be turned on during class
some if you get caught using it when you aren't suppose too - it goes to the office & your parents have to come in in-person (no phone calls) to get it

 

[JJ&JHsmom]

Josh didn't get a phone until he was 14, Julia I caved and got her one at 12 but she made a good case about her dad being late to pick her up. They both know the rules and I can honestly say that I have never had a problem with them texting while in school. Julia hardly uses her minutes or texts. Josh and DH are my high users! No internet access on any of the phones, I can't see paying for it.

I will say it is getting increasingly difficult for schools with so many of the students having some kind of device. Technology has it's strengths and weaknesses.

 

[disney-akj]

I will say it is getting increasingly difficult for schools with so many of the students having some kind of device. Technology has it's strengths and weaknesses.

You are so right! As a teacher, cell phones can be horrible and helpful?? My problem is when parents get mad that their child isn't allowed to call them in the middle of class or when their child can't text them back immediately. Our policy is phones must be off and out of sight during class. During lunch and hallways, it is a little impossible to monitor easily. If you are ever caught doing anything inappropriate with your phone while at school or a school activity, you are banned from bringing your phone to school. If you bring it anyways, the parent must come get it from the school. The photo taking and posting on FB is what is the real problem or looking up/texting answers on tests.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Megan's school has a NO phone during school hours policy, it will get taken away and parents called...its funny to see them all walking out of the bldg texting

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

At the HS they can have them on them but not to be used. However we are getting WiFi all over the school this summer so they can have tablets, ipods, kindles and laptops for school work only. I feel sure they will be monitoring traffic but it was a must do, the kids rely so heavily on technology.
We might be gettng DS16 a tablet or laptop to do homework on so I don't have to give up my laptop anymore. As it is, I'll have 2 in middle school who need the computer. The middle school Language Arts teacher has done away with book reports and upgraded to a web forum (With the same format at the DIS) for book discussions. She can also review grammar, punctuation and spelling with it. Kills 4 birds with one stone. And for me it helps with their typing skills, which are atrocious!!