my 9 year old daughter wants a cell phone should i get her one?

Answer 1

What on Gods green earth does a 9 year old need a cell phone for?

Answer 2

Try the firefly cell phone. It is pre-paid so she can't go over minutes, and it gives her a phone if she is ever in an emergency-type situation. There are wierdos out there these days and this gives her the opportunity to call you at anytime. It gives you the ability to control her phone usage. It also only allows her to make phone calls to those you have programed into her address book (there are 5 keys on the phone and no numbers). If you are worried she isn't responsible enough, maybe you can let her earn her own minutes by doing chores, doing well in school and just taking good care of the phone. And remember, you are the parent! You have the power to give her the phone as well as the power to take it away if it doesn't work out! Either way you can use it as a way to teach her responsibility!!

Answer 3

Well you really shouldn't. She probably just wants one to be 'popular' or something. She doesn't really need one. The only reason why she would need one is if she goes anywhere alone and needs to reach you or contact you. My parents are SOOO strict and did not get me a cell till THIS YEAR and I'M 15. If you DO plan on giving one to your daughter, get her one of the cheapest ones with pre-paid minutes because then she'll be careful with her minutes and won't waste them on her friends...that's what a home phone is for. There are these new phones call Disney Mobile where you can add or take away minutes from your OWN cell...so if she doesn't do a chore, you can tell her that you are going to take away some of her minutes. That will get her to do her chores in a SEC! And you can also TRACK your child's phone to know where they are!

here are websites about Disney Mobiles:
http://disneymobile.go.com/disneymobile/home.do
http://disneymobile.go.com/disneymobile/includedServicesandFeatures.do?method=viewIncludedServicesFeatures

and here's a website and younger kids acting more like teens everyday (aka- wanting phones):
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/teen_tweens

Good Luck and Happy Holidays!

Answer 4

I would suggest getting her a pre paid cell phone. so that if and when she is away from you, if she needs something or there is an emergency she has a way to call you, or the authorities. I dont think she is old enough yet to have a real one, also this way you have control over the cost and minutes she can use. A 9 yr old has more important things to worry about than having a cell phone. Such as school etc...

Answer 5

Buy her a purse for Christmas. See if she can keep her bus pass, student ID and a hairbrush in there. She needs to take it with her every day, and return with it every day with everything in it.

When you give it to her, tell her that you are considering her request but that she has to show you she will not lose her phone. You want to see how long she can go before something comes up missing. Ask her to show you that she can be responsible. Kiss her and acknowlege that she's starting to grow up.

If at some point, like when she is 10, she gets a phone for her birthday, or Easter, or 4th of July (You pick.) prepaid plans are best for children.

Start giving her an allowance that covers some prepaid time and lets her buy a Sobe now and again. Tell her if she can keep up her homework and her room, she'll get so much each week. Let her decide how much goes to the phone. Most phones have GPS now. This is an incredible safety boon (think Onstar)....That is why you train her not to lose it.

As your child grows, given a good trust in you, she will ask to take another step towards independence. You have good judgement. Help her grow into the young lady she strives to be.

Answer 6

Personally I do not believe that a child this young needs a cell phone. At this age the child shouldn't be going anywhere that adults are not present and in this day and age most adults have a cell phone. If you buy her a cell phone now just think....what will she ask for next year?

Answer 7

If she is going to school herself or anywhere herself then I would say get her one for safety's sake. My daughter had one when she was 12 but the proviso was that she not call anyone unless she was in trouble or needed to be picked up etc. The alternative if you dont think your daughter can do that is to get her a pay as you go phone. That way you wont have a massive bill at the end of the month. Tell her that once the credits reach $2 she has to keep the rest for emergencies until you renew it.

Answer 8

What? no. I have a 9 year old and a 7 year old. My 7 year old asked for a cell phone, I just looked at him like he was crazy. There is no way.

Answer 9

Who would she call? Hopefully at the age of 9 she's ONLY with family members or responsible parents of her friends. Seeing as how they're adults, THEY should have a cell phone she can use in case of an emergency.

Remember that Christmas isn't about fulfilling every fantasy your child has so you can be the "cool" mom. Buy her other, more appropriate items from her list.

Answer 10

I would say no. Current research from Europe shows a correlation between cell phone use and benign growths in the inner ear, bone cancer, and tissue damage, over an extended period of time. Since your daughter will be using a cell phone for the rest of her life, start her later, possibly in her teens.
Do you remember OJ Simpson's attorney, Johnny Cochran (sp)? He died of brain cancer. The cancer started in the exact location of his brain where the cell antenna was located. His neurologist commented on TV that there is a correlation between cell phone use and brain cancer. If you use your cell phone on the right side of your head, that's where the cancer will start.
Of course the cell phone industry says there is no correlation between cell phone use and cancer. Remember the cigarette companies and their lobby? Same argument. Big business and big money rule the day in America, over the health and welfare of the American people.