I didnt have one as a kid (they didnt exist) and I did fine. I understand peer presure and all. If we give them everything they ask for, i.e., cell phones, ipods, xbox 360's, laptops...what do they really have out there to work for? Sometimes, dont we just need to go without?
2006-11-16 11:27:06 · 49 answers · asked by candirenee74 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Parenting
Once they are old enough to help pay the bill!
2006-11-16 11:28:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
I wouldnt give my child a mobile/cell until they were old enough to buy it with their own money, from their own job. They can be responsible for it.
Im pregnant with my first child tho, and sometimes worry about safety issues when they get older. Of course i did end up fine, but every now and then i would put mum and dad into panic mode if i got home late. One time i was involved in a minor car accident and they had no way to get a hold of me until i got home.
Here in Aussie they have a phone that u can give to your child at any age where you might need to keep in contact with them. These types of phones cant have money credits put on it and the child cannot phone out except to 000 (Australia's emergency hotline). The child can use a pager system in the phone tho, to send messages to the parent. The parent is responsible for the credit and if the child abuses it, then the feature can be locked. (But they can always ring 000).
That is what i will be getting my child, but that wont be for a while lol. As for everything else. All the other gadgets you mention, i went without too. I did have a basic pc and if i wanted something i had to work for it myself.
We live in an age where everyone (inluding adults) want to consume everything. Making knowledgeable decisions and recognising the difference between "wants and needs" has to be addressed. This is why there is so much debt among the world population. If people faced these issues early on and didnt look at the media availed to us, then we would have a much more comsumer friendly place.
2006-11-16 11:37:50 · answer #2 · answered by gr33n_3y3d_grrl 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Love this question!!!! I don't have kids (yet) but often find myself saying "when I have a kid...." I think a cell phone for a kid is RIDICULOUS, and so is all the other techno crap people indulge their little darlings with! I was LUCKY to have a corny Radio Shack walkman to listen to U2 on! I MIGHT give in on the ipod, but only as a Christmas gift or something - that's just because I would expose my kid to really great music! But back to the cell phone question... My niece racked up a cellphone bill of over $900!!! She would talk on the phone even when she was home - hello! Use the house phone! Parents need to minitor who their kids are talking to and they can't if the kid has a cellphone... Maybe when the kid is a senior, MAYBE! With LIMITED minutes for emergencies!
Climbing down from my sopabox now :0) ....
2006-11-16 11:34:48 · answer #3 · answered by samidlux 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life has changed for so many of us and we have to adapt. Life used to be simpler, not anymore. I think that when children are not under their parents' direct supervision they need a way to communicate with their parents instantly. The children need to know that a parent will be there for them if they need to be picked up; they find themselves in a situation that is getting out of hand and want to leave; their driving friend runs out of gas; the child has a concern or perceives danger of any kind. The also prevents situations where kids are late coming home and the parents are frantic because they have not heard from them. Giving kids a cell phone is a safety precaution, not merely an entertainment devise.
2006-11-16 11:37:25 · answer #4 · answered by maggiepirsq 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
weellllllllllllll...! If i have kids i would say like 10 years..! First of all if they are sick in school or if they have trouble waitting for there parents to pick them at school! I think it is a very good idea for them to have a cell phone..Thats what i think but its all up to you if you still want ur kids to have a cell phone!! I didn't have a cell phone when i was a kids..Back in the days they have no cell phone and i was doing fine without a cell phone back then!
2006-11-16 11:42:11 · answer #5 · answered by XI 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
14
2006-11-16 11:37:28 · answer #6 · answered by Carla S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I agree to a point. I fought my kids about gettin a cell phone. What the heck they need it for, I got along fine growing up without one. But now my daughter starts to drive. She even got in a small wreck by herself into a ditch. Called dad on cell, he came and got her out. She used to Get lost everywhere she went. I feel a little better her calling home asking how to get somewhere rather than asking a stranger. So I am getting a little more agreeable to the cell phone thing. So for driving maybe they should have one or atleast borrow yours if you have one while they drive somewhere . Just in case.
2006-11-16 11:31:44 · answer #7 · answered by yournotalone 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that if you are going to give a teenager a cell phone, I think driving age is appropriate - but educate them on driving without talking on the phone. Ive seen the new phone for kids - the firefly that will store a couple of phone numbers. I dont know who would really need one of these for their kid, but I think that it is good to have for someone who maybe walks home from school alone, and what not.
2006-11-16 11:30:23 · answer #8 · answered by designerista 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We bought a pay-as-you-go cell phone for our 12 year old daughter, but we only give it to her if she's going to be away overnight, or at a ball game or something where she might possibly need a ride home.
Our plan right now is to let her have a full-time phone when she proves she's responsible with this one--doesn't lose it or break it or anything like that. Different kids mature at different ages; there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
2006-11-16 11:31:30 · answer #9 · answered by Stranger In The Night 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Eighteen. That way you know they will have a job, AND pay for their own bills. They will also be able to get the latest cell phone from that particular company, and I'm sure you don't want to pay $150 for another cell phone. I'm 21 years old, and I had my first cell phone at 18. That way I didn't have to ask my parents for one, nor did i need their help in paying for the bill. I learned a form of financial independence from it.
2006-11-16 11:31:13 · answer #10 · answered by Cold Fart 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
10 for there own cell. if they are going to be going to friends houses i say earlier but just have them borrow yours until they are old enough to be out with more friends like at school dances and such. I would want to know that i can call my children at anytime when they are away. also if a child has to ride the bus home i would get one of those prepaid ones with the 4 phone numbers on just in case they missed the bus and didn't have a way home you wouldn't want your 5 year old stranded at school would you
2006-11-16 11:50:08 · answer #11 · answered by Amanda 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋