For your child to have a cellphone?
2006-10-13 06:49:54 · 36 answers · asked by selfchecku 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
I would buy my daughter a phone when I felt she was responsible enough not to lose it and when she gets to the age where she will be going places without the presence of the parents. My girlfriend gave her eight yr old one because she is separated and on the weekends she goes to see her father she has a way of staying in contact with her daughter. Between eight and nine is the earliest I've heard so far. Hope this helps.
2006-10-13 07:02:04 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You know, it would actually be VERY beneficial for you to get your child a cellphone when they start going out without chaperones. The best way would be prepaid.
I think it would give you a sense of security knowing that if your child is late getting home, or if they get stranded somewhere, they can call. And you can call them. It would probably help you feel more comfortable about letting them go out. You would worry about them, because all of us parents worry about our children, but you would know that they are just a phone call away.
Pay phones aren't always accessible, and sometimes they may not be able to get to a phone, especially if they are in a car broken down somewhere. Cell phones are great for emergencies. So if your child has a pretty active social life where adults aren't always present, get them a cell phone. It will make everyone feel a little safer I think!!!
2006-10-13 07:02:05 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I wasnt able to have a cell phone until I was 16 and had a car just incase something happend. I also had to work if I wanted to keep my cell phone and car. But with the way people are these days I do think that you should give your child a cell phone younger then that maybe around 11-12 it seems young but cell phones have came in handy for a child that was kidnapped and the kidnapper was unware that they had a phone. My son is only 2 months but I would probably get him a cell phone at an early age. There is cell phone out made for kids that they can call you there dad, 911 and 10 other people that the parent programs into there phone....hopefully they will still have it around when my son is old enough...they sell them at best buy and places like that..I think walmart sells it too
2006-10-13 06:57:23 · answer #3 · answered by ga_lynn84 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't wait for his\her appropriate age. If you are waiting for appropriate age the age of your cellphone will be gone. And you will ask another question for the new device of cell-phone. So when the cellphone creates an attraction of your children it would be the right time to handover the cellphone. O.K.
2006-10-13 07:19:12 · answer #4 · answered by annu k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We never had to answer that question because they didn't exist when we were children, but nowadays in a world where we want to keep close tabs on kids and have the availability of technology, that is a very valid question.
I think if a child is responsible enough not to lose a phone and knows how to use it, then they should be able to have one, but I would get one that has pre-programmed buttons with specific numbers attached to the buttons. Program your cell-phone, home number, grandma, etc.
2006-10-13 06:55:55 · answer #5 · answered by stocks4allseasons 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depends if you feel your child really needs it or not. My 9 year old son and my 8 year old daughter walk home from school everyday. So I got them (they share it one week my son has it the other week my daughter has it) the firefly cingular wireless phone. It allows the parents to program outgoing and incoming calls. If you already have a cingular plan you could add the phone to your family plan. However; i feel there is know need for the kids to carry it around on the weekends. Strictly for the walk home from school. In case of emergency.
2006-10-13 10:04:20 · answer #6 · answered by concern1 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hate to say this, but I just got my son a cell phone and he is only 10. I did it because I am a single mother and during the summer he was having to take a bus to daycare (the bus comes to the house and drops him at the front door of his daycare plus he has an older brother (18) at home but works nights. I neded to make sure he got there so a cell phone was a convienience for me not a toy for him to play with.
Also the cell phone I got him was from Verizon and its one of those that I can program the numbers that he can call (only four) plus 911.
2006-10-13 06:58:11 · answer #7 · answered by surfer grl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on how responsible the child is. My kids had cell phones when they entered high school. Rules of cell phone. You better answer when I call. I will get the bill and you better be able to tell me who belongs to every number on that bill. You will do extra work to pay for the phone and if you get into trouble of any kind 911 better be the first number on speed dial.
2006-10-13 06:56:46 · answer #8 · answered by valarie l 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When they are old enough to drive. I would feel safer if my daughter has a cell phone in case of a breakdown or accident. I also feel that any privilege a child has should be earned (car, cell phone, etc..), so she will have to work to help pay for them. I want her to learn that anything worth having is worth working for. There are too many spoiled brats in this world.
2006-10-13 06:58:48 · answer #9 · answered by Melissa B 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Me personal would wait until I feel my child is responds able to have one, and they must have a job to pay the bill or if it's pre-paid they would have to buy the minutes.
My cousin on the other hand got her then 4year old son a t-mobile pre-paid fire fly.. I thought that was way to young.
2006-10-13 07:10:12 · answer #10 · answered by Tuty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋