Do you really think a 12 year old needs a cell phone?

Question

My daughter is in 7th grade and I am at home right now, so I'm available to pick her up, etc. Most of her friends have cell phones. I think it is a toy to most of them. I know the moms, who are mostly home also. I personally think parents today have a difficult time saying 'no' to their kids. She has asked several times for a phone, my husband and I have told her we'll consider it when she starts to drive. We don't believe our kids need every trendy gismo given to them, they need to understand the meaning of working for things they want and waiting to earn them. What is your experience with your kids or parents? :)

Answer 1

i think giving a 12 year old a cell phone is not right, i think kids in our country dont fully appreciate what they have because nothing is earned, they also grow up too quickly, having a phone entails a lot of responsability and a 12 year old should not have to be ready for that kind of responsability
thats my opinion but each person does with their child what they think is right

Answer 2

There is really no good reason not to get your twelve year old a cell phone. What are you worried about? A cell phone is not a "trendy gizmo", it is a miracle of modern technology that has improved the quality of life for millions of people all over the world.

Not only that, but it is a wonderful device to have in case of an emergency. Are you around her 24/7? There's no way you can be- even if she is "mostly home", mostly is not always. What if something terrible happened to her and she had no way to contact you? Think about it. You would feel awful for the rest of your life for not spending the extra few bucks a month to put her on your family plan.

I agree that it is important for her to understand the concept of earning things, however it is equally important that she understand her parents' love for her and their willingness to give her good things that she wants; that example will imbed itself in her heart and make her a more charitable person. She has asked you several times. When I ask my Father for something, He gives it to me because He knows what my heart desires. I try to do that for my own children as well, and with guidance they have grown not to be spoiled, but happy and giving people.

If you want her to learn the value of earning something, there are special things she can "earn" for her phone, which honestly in today's society is more of a necessity than a luxury. Some of those optional things she could work towards might be game downloads, musical ringtones, designer carrying cases and clips, and dozens of accessories and upgrades.

Good luck, and God bless.

Answer 3

I agree with your general philosophy about kids not needing every gadget out there (I have a 16 year-old). But, as someone said, kids are more mobile now and times are more dangerous, so cellphones can be very helpful, even life-saving! I always try to give my cellphone to our son if he's staying late at school, or going into town or elsewhere w/friends. It has helped MANY times when he was stuck for a ride (yes, even when I was home). Have you noticed how few pay phones there are? Also, many schools don't let kids use their phones to call home, so what can they do to contact you?

Also, imagine if your daughter was staying at a friends' house and someone there started scaring her or even trying to hurt her (like getting drunk or trying to molest her). She might not have an escape route unless she could call the police and you on the phone! It's sad that we have to think of these things, but they're real.

I DO agree that cellphones, or regular phones, should not be seen as toys, nor as "necessary" for idle chat. Our problem is that our kid monopolizes the land line, talking to his girlfriend in Hawaii (we have unlimited long distance). So, it's not cell-phones, per se.

Just let your daughter know that the phone is for emergencies and getting rides only, not racking up hundreds of minutes talking or texting. There's even a feature on many phones that limits a kid's talking time. You can arrange the plan to suit your budget and expectations.

Answer 4

Cell phones can be really useful. What if your kid was in some sort of trouble and needed to call for help, but she didn't have a phone? There are many cases where a kid might need a phone.

Answer 5

I have stepped ahead mixed emotions in this project. even as i replaced into first on right here i'd have flat out suggested they don't. although cellular phone technologies as stepped ahead a lot and the cellular phone organizations have become a lot extra ascertain pleasant. lots of even uncomplicated factor phones now have GPS gadgets that enable the ascertain to honestly song the youngster's area, you may restriction who they could call, for example only moms and dads/siblings/grandparents, or you may enable them call whomever they want with constrained minutes so there are not any overages and also you'll get the documents of who they are calling. They not in any respect have the excuse they did not understand what the time replaced into. although i'd nonetheless look on the guy project alongside with the point of events the youngster replaced into excited by and a thanks to blame they are.

Answer 6

I agree, except for one thing. Somebody tried to kidnap and rape a young local girl. The only reason she was able to summon help was because of her cell phone. Not meaning to be an alarmist, but it's just something to think about. Without the cell phone, she would've just been left at the mercy of that creep, without any way of getting outside help.

Answer 7

I like your theory on kids and what they should and should not get given to them. I do, however, think that cell phones are very valuable in these dangerous times. I think you could give your child a prepaid cell and and him/her work to pay for the minutes him or herself.

Answer 8

As soon as your child can pay for a cell phone (monthly bills EVERY month) they can have one. my sister got a phone at age 14 and she said she would pay the bills but she only pays 1 out of every 3 months

Answer 9

I think we put too much thought into this sort of thing. My 11 year old son got a cell for his birthday, and he rarely even uses it. I thought he was too young, too. Turns out it wasn't a big deal, but he sure was happy when he opened it.

Answer 10

she is too young and if she didn't worked for it, it would be easily lost or robbed, or she would use it in vain just to be fashionable. you could tell her to do some home jobs like washing dishes or so and she would be repaid with x $ for every good job. she would have responsibility if she worked for the cell phone and it would value at its true value.