Do you think an 11 year old should have a cell phone of there own?

Answer 1

Well it depends. If they are very responsible and mature, they should probably have a pre-paid phone that has just enough minutes so they can contact their parents for a ride home or to tell them they arrived safely somewhere, or to call for help if they ever have an emergency situation. If they want additional minutes paid on it for talking to friends, they should have to pay for it themselves out of allowance or gift money, etc. If they lose it or break it, the parent shouldn't replace it. They should have to save up to replace it. That's part of the lesson of responsibility. If they manage a cheap, pre-paid phone well for at least a couple years, then maybe they should be able to see about having a regular one on their parents' account. Possibly by the age of 13. I do think that all kids should have a cell phone with them by age of 16 or whenever they start to drive, for safety's sake. (Although they shouldn't be allowed to talk on it while driving. It's just in case they need to call for help.)

Answer 2

No! Until the last decade, we pretty much all lived with just a land line. Kids don't need their own cell phone until they're driving on their own, at which point they do kinda need one for car emergencies. 11 is entirely too young. 11 year olds are too young to grasp that you only have so many minutes per month, too young to really talk to other people on the phone as a way of entertainment (I personally don't think they should be on AIM either), and too young to properly take care of a phone (i.e. NOT DROP IT). Don't get your kid a cell phone until they're older!

Answer 3

One of those phones that can only dial 911 and their parents number. It's good for an 11 year old to have a cell phone if it's just for emergencies.

Answer 4

My kid carries his so I can reach him and he can reach me. I would much prefer that he be able to get to me than to have him in a difficult situation without it. EX: out with friends and their parents. Car breaks down, going to be late...whatever, he needs to be able to call me. Adults should have one for emergency if nothing else but not all of them do ya know? You can't velcro yourself to your child 24/7, better safe than sorry. The cell phone is limited to certain calls by the way. I don't think an 11 year old needs unlimited calling. The bill shows phone numbers for incoming and out-going calls and how long the usage was on each as well.

Answer 5

What the hell for?

Can an 11 year old pay the bill for their phone every month? What job do they have? If they can buy the phone and pay the bills themself and pay to replace the phone when they lose it the sure........

But in order to have a cell phone of your own you need to be 18 to legally sign the contract with the Cell phone provider....and the reason for that is......KIDS AREN'T RESPONSIBLE ENOUGH TO PAY THE BILL.

Answer 6

It truely depends on the maturity level of the child based on history and not on promises of the future. Other variables include your community and why it is needed. What value is it to the parent to have the child have a cellphone? Will it really be for the child to have solely or to use on an as needed basis? Another thing would be to find an old and uncool phone to activate vs. the latest and greatest style. My 12 year old, very responsible daughter has one and it has worked out ok for us. Best wishes on your decision and the outcome.
PS I does allow something to threaten to take away as a punishment...

Answer 7

well it depends if the parents or the child is paying for the cell i am assuming that it would be the parents then i would say no because i would think the child wouldn't know about bills and such and that would mean the child would think its a toy but if the child gets an allowance then if the parents would get a prepaid phone and put the allowance on that phone then i would say it would be OK but in the long run i would say it would be up to the parents but that's my impute

Answer 8

Yes, but I only recommend a certain type of cell phone. I recommend a little gadget called Firefly. It's about two inches long by one inch thick, it lets you call mom, dad, police, and select other people, that's about it. It is prepaid so that the 11 year old cannot chat excessively.
Here is their site: http://www.fireflymobile.com/

Answer 9

No, that's crazy! That's just teaching your child to expect bigger and better things later on, and that they don't have to work for these rewards... plus, think of the havoc they could wreak on the payer of the bill! Those of us in our 20s or older survived just fine without cell phones...we are setting up to create a nation of brats!

Answer 10

I were given my first and purely cellular telephone even as i changed into 12. the purely reason I were given one changed into because i changed into doing a sport after college, and had no thanks to the contact my moms and dads and tell them what time i'd be homestead. i'm 14 and nonetheless have a similar telephone, I honestly have under no circumstances lost it, or perhaps scratched it, and that i do not textual content. I infrequently verify with my acquaintances on it both, it truly is specially to call my moms and dads and tell them if some thing has replaced that is composed of them. i imagine the first cellular telephone must be even with the certainty that comes loose with the plan, there is not any want for a preteen to have the present telephone. If i needed some thing stepped ahead than the basic(information superhighway, texting, a more effective stepped ahead telephone) i'd ought to pay for it. It relies upon on the youngster, in case you comprehend they're going to loose it, or purely favor to analyze with their acquaintances, there is not any want for one. by using severe college I do imagine having one is significant, because schedules replace and it is sturdy to be able attain moms and dads. And in case you go someplace at evening, having a cellular telephone is sturdy for emergencies.