My 13 year old daughter thinks she needs a cell phone. I dont think she does.?

Question

How can I tell when she is ready for one. I mean she is a very mature 13 year old or so i have been told by several people, I am just sure a 13 year old should have a cell phone, but she thinks is unfair because all of her friends have them , well not all of them but most of them

Answer 1

First of all, she "needs" food, water, clothing, basic hygeine, and a place to live. Everything else we have is just extra.

However, she is a young teenager, and their perspectives on what is NEEDED are quite different.

Every kid wants what every other kid has, and these days, it's things like cellphones. It's what makes you cool. Granted, at age thirteen, she'll probably be ironically SITTING beside a real house/landline phone everytime she uses her cell phone... But still, it's what makes you cool.

My suggestion is to use it as a learning opportunity for her by choosing the "pay as you go" type phone. These usually work similar to a calling card where yu have a set amount of minutes that you use, but you can also add more whenever you like. Although these are more expensive minute per minute than regular cellphones, it will keep her from "going over on her monthly amount of minutes" and they will help her learn to budget her minutes and her money. You could offer to buy her the basic phone, and a set amount of minutes each month (say $15-$20) worth of minutes, or whatever amount you deem affordable, then have her pay for the rest through birthday money, allowance money, or summer job money.

She will still have the cool cell phone to carry around in her purse just like all the other girls, and will be able to make calls from various places, but she will be more conscious of how many minutes she uses/wastes. Either she'll learn from it and be able to budget well, or she will get annoyed and decide a cell phone isn't worth it after all.

I like this idea because it allows the kid to get the cell phone, but might actually teach he something in the end.

All in all though, do I think she really needs a cell phone?? No.

Answer 2

I think she deserves a cell phone!!! I got one at 10 years old!!! It's better for you because when shes at the mall with her friends or something you can call her and make sure she's okay!! It's also good for her because is she was ever in an emergency she would have a phone to call on!!!! Wouldn't that make you feel more safe??
I mean I would think it was unfair too!!!! If you think your daughter is mature like you say, then she needs a cell phone!

Answer 3

It depends, you could get her a cell phone that is prepaid, like a tracphone that she would only be able to use for emergencies, or find a plan that has a limited number of minutes, so the bill is not extremely high. Personally, I do not think that 13 yr olds need cell phones, unless of course they are involved in a lot of school activities, or away from you often. Otherwise, I would say the prime age is about 15....just because everyone else has one doesn't mean she should have to have one. If all of her friends jumped off a bridge, would she? I think technology is stupid sometimes..there are still payphones and phones in people's houses, she can still use them.

Answer 4

Honestly while cell phones are great to keep kids safe and connected to their parents, they are not fool proof and are often a waste of cash. After all if she is in trouble and has no signal she can't call, or if she loses the phone. Plus you can call her and she won't have to answer. Most young people have them to elevate their status, make them look cool, but they are usually wasted by gabbing on them with friends. They are also a real distraction in school, kids spend class time texting. Give it a few more years, like 16 when she is driving.

Answer 5

Its hard being a parent isnt it?
My daughter is almost 10 and she has a mobile phone. I refused to buy her a new one, but did give her my old phone. She has just started to walk home from school on her own so having a mobile phone come in handy to put my mind at rest. She rings m as she is leaving and when she is half way.
I think that it helps with safety. Kid do get pickd on if thy dont had the latest things. not to say you should giv in with each and everything they want.
If you do give her one then make sure she has a limit every week as to how much she may spend on it and moniter the call and texts
Lorraine x x

Answer 6

I think a cell phone is a wonderful idea! Think of it from a different parental point of view... she never has a reason NOT TO CALL! If she ever gets into trouble she can call you... or 911. And last but not least YOU can always get a hold of her wherever she may be!

Although do get an unlimited minutes plan... because she will probably be on it ALL the time!!!

Answer 7

I suppose if all of her friends got pregnant that she'd have to get pregnant?

She is letting peer pressure dictate her life to her. She should only have a cell phone once she can handle the responsibilities of having a cell phone. A cell phone is NOT a toy. Perhaps if she had to pay the monthly bill for the phone she would change her tune.

Answer 8

What we did with my son (14) is on his birthday we bought him a cell phone and told him it was up to him to keep up the minutes.
Well, that lasted for a few months and then it was shut off and then he actually lost the phone. Anyways... you can buy those phones where you get pre-paid minutes. What was nice is that when my son had the phone we were able to get ahold of him anywhere. We always knew where he was but sometimes you just need to talk to the kid real quick for whatever reason.

Answer 9

I think its ridiculous when you see young kids with cell phones nowadays. Why do they need it so badly, to call their little friends and run up the bill?? They want one because kids think its 'cool'. Tell her that until she has a job of her own and can pay her own cell phone bill, she won't be owning a cell phone. Maybe those kids that do have cell phones have rich parents that can afford to foot the bill or else they are just plain stupid...don't buy your child a cell phone!

Answer 10

Does she do a lot of activities or go out a lot? If she is then maybe a cell phone might be a good idea. But if she is just hanging around the house or going over friends' houses maybe she could wait a couple of years.