How can I convince my parents to let me get a cell phone?

Question

I'm starting high school this year and I really want to get a cell phone. I've already got the one I want pickecd out. When I talked to my parents about it, they said "no." I offered to pay for it entirely (including the monthly bill) and they still refused! So, the money's not the issue. Any suggestions? Thanks!

Answer 1

Money isn't the issue, but credit probably is. To have a regular cell phone on a regular carrier, you have to have established credit or pay a huge deposit. As you are just starting high school, I doubt you have the means for either of these. You can get prepaid phones and avoid the credit checks if you want, but as you are probably unable to drive or hold a checking account for automatic deduction I don't see how that is feasible either.

You might play the "safety" issue with them. Tell them with a cell phone they will be able to keep track of you easier and you will be able to reach them easier in emergencies. This will play to their authoritative nature but you might have to sacrifice some privacy for it. Good luck.

Answer 2

I told my son if he did well in middle school
and when he went into High school I would
get one for him. Well I did this. I did not alow
him to text and limeted sending pictures.
I wanted him to have it so we can stay in touch
about rides and where he was. And if he needed
help because something is going on at school.
Schools now allow students to have cell phones
as long as they are off when class is going on.
And I pay for the cell phone for my son.
I did not do this with my other older children
but because of the change in the times and
this new tech enviroment I felt I needed to get
him a cell phone.

Answer 3

I am not in high school yet and i have a cell phone and so does the majority of my grade. Explain to your parents about the dangers of being without communication. Tell them to imagine you were in trouble and u needed to call them and u didn't have a phone, what would u do? then maybe they would realize that even though you will use it to call your friends and maybe text message and stuff, you will also call them so they can know you are safe at all times.

Answer 4

I really don't understand why a kid in high school "needs" a cell phone. In reality they don't. It's just peer pressure.

Yeah, I remember how it is! ;>)

If you are DETERMINED to have a cell phone though, you' need to give your parents 3 unarguable good reasons why you having a cell phone is will be a benefit TO THEM.

If the answer is still no, the world isn't going to end. Just ACCEPT your parents decision and know they are doing the best they can to do right by you.

Answer 5

Tell them that having a cell phone would teach you responsibility. Tell them they will have constant access to you and that it will not change anything.

Obviously it will have to be in their name and they will be able to monitor your phone bill, so until you are old enough to get your own in your own name (18), do not be dishonest with them, because having a cell phone at 14 is not really a necessity. It is more of a privilege.

Answer 6

Get a prepaid phone, then you are totally responsible for paying for your minutes and none of it is on your parents. Cingular offers a "Go" phone and they have some prepaid phones that are exactly the same as the ones you would get on a plan.

Answer 7

dissapear for 3 days, then come back home and tell your parents you got kidnaped and you could have called them if you had a cell phone. You'll get one the next day.

Answer 8

If you're starting high school, in my opinion I think you are too young for a cell phone. It'll just get you into trouble.

Answer 9

Your parents are correct.