She is almost 12 and all her friends have one. I don't see the point at this age.
2006-09-27 10:23:16 · 34 answers · asked by Kim M 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Adolescent
first of all, it depends on her maturity. my daughter is 10, extremely responsible and has a PREPAID cell phone. we sat down and talked about it for months before i bought it for her. she is only allowed to use it in emergencies since she walks to and from school.
if you feel she's mature enough to have one then get a prepaid cell phone. that way she wont be able to run up a sky high bill because you pay for the minutes upfront.
2006-09-27 10:27:42 · answer #1 · answered by Denise 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't see the point either. Kids have no problem talking with their friends in person when they're at school or after school activities and that is quite enough. When kids get home they should have homework, chores, and family activities to keep them busy. Haveing a phone is most likely only going to take away from the family time. Is that really a place you want to take from? I mean, that lacks a lot of times in most families anyway. An eleven year old can talk with her friends at school and if necessary can use the telephone to call someone. Otherwise, I would definitely say 'no' if it was my child. Really, what ever happened to being a kid???
2006-09-27 11:20:56 · answer #2 · answered by eileen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I should mention I am a single male, and have no children.
With that said, I would say yes, but I do it on security grounds. If god forbid, your child gets lost, a cellphone offers a quick answer and communication means to you, or other familty members.
Since I went to college away from home, this security/lost concern was the main reason I got one. Too many times, was I driving/walking around looking for something for hours, when a 5 minute call to a friend to use google maps would have saved me tons of time.
Finally, if your really concerned of going taking such a big step, Verizon offers the amigo, a phone which lets her dial only 4 predetermined numbers, (911 or whatever it is now, and 3 other family members). This pretty much offers you all the advantages of looking over your child, while giving your child none of the social advantages which he/she is looking to get the cell phone for. I wouldnt recommend this option, but you should be aware of it incase you decide to go this route.
2006-09-27 10:32:09 · answer #3 · answered by Lostpupp 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't get one just because all of her friends have. By no means encourage this behavior! However, if you do want her to have one in case of emergencies, maybe look into getting one of the phones made for children, such as the Firefly or Disney Mobile, where you can program in the numbers to be dialed and keep up with who they are talking to. This way, you are able to get in touch with her if she has after school activities or whatever, but she's not running up a bill and giving her number to every random person (not safe)
2006-09-27 10:30:22 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your daughter is very involved in extracurricular activities it is helpful. I actually got my daughter a cell phone for her 13th birthday since she was becoming a teen. I would definitely get a prepaid phone. That way she can only use the minutes that you buy for her and teach her some good phone etiquette. When she gets older if she wants a fancier phone then she can get a job and pay for it herself. I didn't really think my daughter needed one, but it has been handy when play practice runs long and I've got to get her brothers from football or band etc......
2006-09-27 10:48:30 · answer #5 · answered by kat 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can purchase a cell phone with limited features-she can only call home for example-or you can get a phone with only a set amount of minutes a month so she doesn't go over-or you can buy a pre-paid cell phone to only allow so much usage- there's a lot of options because more and more teens and pre-teens have phones now. Good luck.
2006-09-27 10:27:17 · answer #6 · answered by ohnonothimagain 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It really depends. I like to go out with friends after school and therefore needed a cell to call my mom and let her know where I was going as we aren't allowed to use the school phones. I got mine when I was 11. I would have to say that if you trust her not to give out her number to too many people and only use it to call you (or whatever you decide is reasonable) also, if she comes home after school everyday, she probably doesn't need one.
2006-09-27 12:09:33 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I got my first phone when i was ten. So i think you should let her, just for safety. If she ever mouths off or gets in trouble just take the phone away as her punishment. Just dont get one with AIM on it. That can get pricey! Or make her pay a little of the bill each month. That will teach her. lol Hope i helped!
2006-09-27 10:32:01 · answer #8 · answered by music101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
look, children are growing at a fast pace. its better to give her one before she gets wild for it. what do u feel, she will get dirty sort if she uses a cell? no, she will not.
look, using a cell and not using dont really become the factors of becoming adulterated. why dont u see the positive sides? u may need it so that u contact her at times of need, in tuitions, in parties, when with friends.
take it kool auntie, its not a big deal. nowdays, everyone has it! dont worry.
2006-09-27 17:39:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes you should but you cant run away from the fact that 7 years from now she'll be out on the road so pamper her now and relish or else well she wont visit you in your old age...and the point of having a cellphone is for calling and sending messages...get her a phone that's colored but without camera she might send her picz to some1
2006-09-27 13:50:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋