my son is 12 years old.he asked me he need cell phone on his birthday. Is this good idea. he is not staying with me. he said he can call me. when ever he want.
2006-09-24 02:28:39 · 11 answers · asked by rajan n 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
My 14 year old and 12 year olds want a cell phone. I have told them that they can have one, but they have to buy it themselves.
Going over the limits is a big problem, especially with text messaging.
There are some phones that have tracking devices so if your kid is lost or kidnapped you can track them down. You can also check to see if they are where they said they would be.
You can put limits on the number of minutes they can use as well as the number of text messages they can send. This ensures that they will not go over their limits.
You can also limit who calls them and who they call. This way you can have a fair idea of who they are talking to and what they are doing and they are not going to run a fortune in bills.
If he is a good kid and responsible there are benefits, but really check out the options first.
2006-09-24 04:20:04 · answer #1 · answered by Melanie L 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I teach 5th grade and there's a great number of children with cell phones now a days. The reasons for having a cell phone are numerous and varied, and all certainly valid. However, from a TEACHER'S point of view, they're a pain in the butt!!
I would certainly reccomend you get your child a phone if you're busy and he's busy and you need to be communicating often for picking up/dropping off purposes. But other than that...why does a child need a cell phone? Does he spend inordinate amounts of time by himself or with other people (not with you?) If he does then there's other issues there that a cell phone will not be able to fix.
Yes, he can call you whenever he wants, and you can call him whenever you want...but they also come with caller ID and he can CHOOSE not to answer the phone whenever he DOESN'T want. Who is this cell phone for really? For his FRIENDS...he's not really thinking about you mommy.
I've seen kids get overwhelming bills and then the parents get all worked up...well, what did you expect? They are children and as far as I've ever known, teenagers talk A LOT on the phone. They text, talk, pix, watch movies, download songs, use the web...anything and everything that can be done on the phone..they can do and know how to use it.
If you do get your child a cell phone be prepared for higher bills (unless you buy him/her a CRICKET). Be prepared to have a few angry teachers give you a call saying they've confiscated the phone. Be prepared for less control of phone priviliges...girls will be calling, along with other more undesirable friends...etc. It's just another hassle...totally my opinion.
2006-09-24 08:39:31 · answer #2 · answered by bitto luv 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I personally think it is a little early to buy him a cell phone. As a teacher, I could not tell you how much time I waste in my classroom telling students to put phones away or how many times my class has been interupted by a ringing phone. Students text answers to other students and once we had a child borrow another student's phone and threatened a young girl. The parents of the girl pressed charges against the student who borrowed the phone and the student who owned the phone.
If you decide to get your child a phone, I suggest you get one that you can turn off during the school day and block certain numbers.
2006-09-25 08:45:10 · answer #3 · answered by mathteacher 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are positive and negative results from giving children cell phones. Most of them have already been listed above. However, you say that he does not live with you. Does he live with his father? If so, you should discuss this with him before giving your son a phone. It's important that both parents, whether married or separate, are on the same page.
2006-09-24 02:58:30 · answer #4 · answered by killingwish 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
D K 's answer has all the positive benefits.A big potential problem is him
running over the alloted minutes and you're stuck with a huge bill. Also, my daughter went way over her alloted text messaging units and tacked on a lot
of surcharges. These are more issues of responsibility then anything else. Be aware of this, work it out and do it
2006-09-24 02:49:22 · answer #5 · answered by wallyinsa 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I bought my kids a cell each when they were 6& 8 because sometimes if they are at a friends house I can call to check how things are going and also they could call me if they wanted to go to another friends house or with any question that they had needless to say if they had any emergency . Cell phones are cheap nowadays ....mine are 10 & 8 now and still have the same phone ..... its worth it for peace of mind and its cool for them . I say get him one and you can talk to the carrier about restrictions for kids while you are there you will be surprised at how well they handle kids phones . Good Luck :)
2006-09-24 02:35:02 · answer #6 · answered by D K 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Cell phones should be used for emergencies. I say let him have one when he's old enough to have a job to pay for it and old enough to drive (because really, that's when you'd worry most about him). If he's not staying with you, he can use his home phone to call you, right?
2006-09-24 05:20:27 · answer #7 · answered by elizabeth_ashley44 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
try getting a disney mobile! it gives you a tracking device and you can use his service like an allowance! (if he didn't make his bed you can take away his calling rights!)
2006-09-24 03:28:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
it might be a little too soon
2006-09-24 02:31:46 · answer #9 · answered by chaotique_79 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
give him as his birthday gift!
2006-09-24 02:32:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋