My 10 year old boy wants to buy a Sony W800 cell phone, which is very expensive (in my opinion) for someone his age. He's buying it with his savings, but it still bothers me. Won't he be asking for a Hummer when he grows up? He's a straight A student and all, but that's not how i was raised....
2006-06-19 15:19:37 · 38 answers · asked by ashley j 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Family
Why in G _ _ s name does a 10 year old need a cell phone anyway? What ever happened to kids just going out and playing and riding their bikes and swinging a bat and coming home at dinner and going to bed at 8pm when they're 10??? Kids today are spoiled and mollycoddled (sp?)... No, he doesn't need some hi-tech cell phone... hell, I don't need a hi-tech cell phone... no offence but, you should put your foot down.. "his" money or not.. it should be saved and used for something practical... school which he'll likely be going to such as college or uni in about 8 years or so. I'm sorry.. but.. a 10 year old doesn't need a cell phone let alone a top of the line, hi-tech expensive cell... no!
2006-06-19 15:24:34 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 8⤋
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2016-08-11 11:59:08 · answer #2 · answered by Edward 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why, exactly, does a ten year old need a cell phone? To make sure he catches that important business call while he's on the road to the big meeting?
Let's face it, there's are very few legitimate reasons for someone his age to have a cell phone at all... which are:
a) He needs to call you in case of an emergency, or
b) He needs to call the police in case of an emergency.
They sell a phone specifically for parents to give their children to do that (http://www.fireflymobile.com/phone/).
Other than that, he has no legitimate use for one. Why else does he need it? To call his friends? He can do that while he's at home, or else borrow your cell phone to do it. To call you from school? He can do that from the office. To play video games, download music, and buy wall-papers and text message his friends?
He doesn't need to be doing any of those things.
To impress his friends with his pimpin' style?
He doesn't need to be doing that, either.
To call complete strangers you don't know about while you or another competent adult who has a home phone and most likely a cell phone he can use isn't around?
He DEFINITELY doesn't need to be doing that.
I'm all for teaching children responsibility, but sometimes you do that by showing them you're responsible enough not to let them do something they have no business doing, and I think that's what the matter comes to. He doesn't need a cell phone (and you don't need the contract for the phone plan, remember at ten years old he can't legally enter into a contract... you have to enter into it for him), and there will be plenty of other things more appropriate for him he'll want to spend his money on soon enough.
This is a great time to set some limits and teach him not to waste his money. Besides, he might as well just tie a bunch of money to his neck and walk around.
A ten year old walking around flashing an expensive cell phone is one thing before all others... a really easy target to mug. I'm sorry, but there are people who'd knife him for a hundred dollar pair of shoes, do you really think they'd hesitate over a $350.00 cell phone?
2006-06-19 15:32:38 · answer #3 · answered by AndiGravity 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let him get a Virgin Mobile phone. At Target they are around $50 and you pay as you go. It's 25 cents a minute for the first 10 miutes of the day, 10 cents a minute after that.
Why does a 10 year old need a phone. Seriously! Who the hell is a 10 year old calling on a cell phone?
2006-06-19 15:22:45 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No!! you are the parent here and you set the boundaries....do not always equate school grades with material rewards because when he grow up reality sets in and there won't be reward every time he does something great.....besides what would a 10 year old need a cell phone for?!! It's not a toy, it's a piece of communication gadget. you need to teach him how to financially manage his savings..money is always more important than material things!! Material addiction is the new drug of the centuries, many gone bankrupt and in debt because of their uncontrollable spending.......is he gonna rob the bank or sell drugs when he can't get what he wants in the future? At his age he can't afford to have the emotional need of material things....Set him straight and set him right to spare the pain later.....
2006-06-19 15:51:37 · answer #5 · answered by sstooc2001 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just really have a problem with a 10 year old having a cell phone. Who's he calling that he needs to do it on a cell phone. No one. It's just a status symbol. And a 10 year old kid doesn't need to be worried about status symbols. Be tough mom!! You have the right idea. Follow your instincts and say no to your son. He'll be disappointed for about what...5 minutes?? :)
2006-06-19 15:35:05 · answer #6 · answered by Kelly_from_Texas 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He's buying it with his own money and it's not an immoral thing he's buying so why not? however, he should pay for the service, not you. Perhaps he can buy one of those phones where he pays for minutes up front. When he's out of minutes he needs to buy more. It could be a good learning experience for him about responsibility. It also has some safety benefits because if he gets lost or finds himself in a dangerous situation he can call you.
2006-06-19 15:32:18 · answer #7 · answered by PDY 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should think a while on the subject but in the meanwhile I will give you my opinion I believe if you the parent think he is mature enough and responsible enough to have the cellphone and treat it responsively pay for all expenses involved I think you should let him have it but consider the alternatives like tracfone or go phone and see if he can keep up on them like resposibility and expenses and then tell him if that works out you can upgrade to a cellphone like the sony w800. I myself am a 2 yr tracfone customer and 17 yrs old with a 4.0 gpa and a 31 on the ACT. but it is your decision and even though I am responsible enough to have a cellphone I prefer tracfone I hope this helps you on your decision but good luck
2006-06-19 15:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by Ratt_a_tatt 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just remember who the PARENT IS-
Gees he is only 10 years old-
Who is he going to be calling anyway...and please do not let him use the favorite words-
BUT ALL MY FRIENDS HAVE A PHONE AND I WILL BE THE ONLY ONE WITHOUT ONE...(yes he and 10 million other 10 year olds that do not and should not have a phone at this age)-
Come on Mom remember who you are...and just say No son not at this time, and let it go at that...
If he has straight A's good for him- then he will have no problem understanding the word NO !
2006-06-19 15:31:53 · answer #9 · answered by fscape444 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask him what he plans to do with it and who he plans to call. In your opinion, would it be useful for him to have a cell phone? Plus, who would be paying for the plan? Consider these things and if you decide that it is reasonable for him to have a phone, let him buy it. Otherwise, give him a lecture on spending money wisely and let him spend it on something a little more rewarding.
2006-06-19 15:25:07 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I have two 10 year old boys and neither have a cel phone yet. But, I have to say this, it really depends on the cost of the phone. If it is over $100 I would second guess it. But remember, he has to learn how to spend his money and spend it wisely.
2006-06-19 15:23:33 · answer #11 · answered by trueredhd4u 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋