Don't you think 11 yrs old is too young for a cell phone?

Question

My son wants a cell phone. All the kids in his church group have them, our neighbor who is 9 has one, and some alot of the kids in school have them. I have told him it is not necessary. My husband refuses to put him on our plan, saying he doesn't need one. I told him he could use his allowance for a pre-paid phone, but why do kids need them. If they have an emergency at school, they can got to the office....what other urgent reason would they need one at 11 yrs old??

Answer 1

Absolutely now a days you never know when your kids gonna need to get in contact with you or even the police. My 12 yr old has had one for a year and checks in with me when she walks home from her friends house about 5 blocks away. You can alwas reach them if they're not home on time god forbid if they get hurt at the park, etc. I think its a good idea and teaches them responsibility to take care of the phone, not lose it, and know how to save & use their minutes.

Answer 2

i am getting my 11 year old son a cell phone as part of his xmas gift. i will buy him a cricket phone that has unlimited local calls and texting. (so he wont go over) I do have a good reason for doing this though.

I work for a company that specializes in emergency phones and more and more we have noticed that the phone companies are pulling payphones. Florida, Texas, Georgia and Tennessee to name a few of the states that are doing this, so alot of properties are getting rid of them. Bellsouth is almost done pulling all of thiers. I want to make sure my son can contact me if he needs to. There are some payphone companies out there, but they charge a high monthly fee and won't give the property any revenue (or if they do it's small) Now if he abuses the phone or his grades go down it will get taken away. in todays day and age, electronics are coming out more and more. no sooner you buy one version of a video system, they come out with a newer "improved" version. it's ridiculous. But since he can't access a payphone at the local mall, movie house, school, park or just about anywhere. I want to give him a phone so there's no excuse. it's up to the parent, but i'm from NY and being down south things are further apart. So communication is good. (plus new ones have built in GPS, in case a child is kidnapped, you can locate them, think of it as a lojack for kids..LOL)
again, this is only my opinion, and we are all entitled to one. good luck with your decision

Answer 3

17 years old is too young to have one. When they are old enough to pay for the bills themselves, then they can have one. What in the world does an 11 year old kid need a cell phone for. What happened to our society. Who cares about his kids in youth group. Cell phones, any more are like fashion accessories. Put a toy one on his hip if he is craving the attention of having a cell phone. Cell phones are very mishandled these days.

Answer 4

At first I thought, no, he doesn't need a phone. but you mentioned a pre-paid one and I think that that is a good idea. Not because all of his friends have one but what if you really need to get ahold of him outside of school?. Or he spends the night at a friends house and can't use the home phone for some reason?. Or an immergency outside of school premises?
There are plenty of reasons for him to have a phone in this day and age. It's not that safe for kids as it use to be. I for one would be more relieved knowing my kid had a cellphone and that I could reach him if I really had to.

Answer 5

I think he is too young. Remember the old saying if so and so jumps off a bridge are you going to do it too? Just because other parents give in and buy them for their kids doesn't mean you have to as well.

My stepsons mother purchased him a phone (he is 11) after we told him and her NO several times. Can't tell you how many times it has been lost and she complains all the time that she can't keep up with buying him minutes. Oh well, should have listened to us in the first place.

Answer 6

If your son travels around by himself, a cellphone might come in handy. My 11-year-old friend has a cellphone because she travels long distances to get to school and back home. Cellphones can come in handy sometimes. I personally think he is too young for a cellphone. My nextdoor neighbour's child borrowed their cellphone to show the children at school, and the child ends up losing the cellphone. The children probably find that cellphones are currently "in" and they all want one. They probably see the cellphone as some sort of toy. Ask your son why he wants a cellphone and perhaps he has a good reason.

Answer 7

My daughter is 10 and I recently went out and got her a firefly. My reason for getting her the cell phone is that I know that I can't be with her 24-7 and in case of an emergency she can get in contact with me or her dad. The phone I got her is only programmed with her dad's #, my #, and 911 so she can't call anyone she wants.

Answer 8

hi,
yes i think it is too young to have a cell phone... listen to your son first, ask him for valid reasons for wanting a cell phone and then talk about it with your husband. if he just wants one to be like his friend then do not give him one... but cell phones are useful if u have an emergency outside school or in a place where u are not familiar with

Answer 9

I do not think any kid needs a cell phone until they are driving. There is no need for an 11 year old to have a cell phone.

Answer 10

I agree with you, an 11 year old does not need a cell phone. We are letting our children run ramped. I don't think they should have one unless they can pay for it themselves, and get it in their own name. It is just what everyone else is doing, so if everyone else is doing drugs, do we allow our children to do the same.. We have to teach them early. Your husband is a smart man. It would be nice to throughly explain the "whys" and "why nots" though.