Please Help My 10 year old daughter says she needs a cell phone because all the other kids have one?

Answer 1

Well she is 10 and he doesn't need a cell phone, tell her you can't have everything other kids have. And trust me, not all the kids have a cell phone at that age. Be firm with her otherwise in 6 years she wants a car.

Answer 2

She needs to know that you are not the other kid's parent and money doesn't grow on trees.

If she still insists maybe you can look into a pay as you go plan. As long as she isn't talking hours a day, it won't be too expensive like the other plans which give you 1,000 minutes and you only use 100.

Another thing to look into is a Firefly phone. They are made for children and are pay as you go as well, I think.

Just make sure you tell her that just because her friends have one doesn't mean she has to, too. If they jumped off a bridge, would she?

Tell her to start her own trend, by not having cell phones. Or she could start a new trend, and soon all the other kids would want to be like her.

Beleive me, I got a cell phone too young. I never used it and we were paying a lot. After you look into these options, maybe she'll realize that she doesn't need a cell phone afterall.

Answer 3

ten year olds are pre teens do not let this set the stage for the next eight years if you see a LOGICAL reasons for this child to have a cell phone such as an active life or frequent times that she is shuttled in a carpool or some thing wait some time then set the boundries on it if this child has an allowance then there is a wide variety of pay as you go from twenty $ on up let her earn and pay for her own do not fall prey to that line of reasoning she must be encouraged to be her own person and she needs you to show her how to do that
I just went and am still going through this with my 11 year old and when i talked to her teacher there was 1 child with a cell and she was a child in the middle of a divorce and the parent communicated through her
girls need to be taught that they can be thier own person and that dramatic antics do not work but working hard and being responsible will always prevail if you let the drama in now you just might be creating a monster! Next it will be a 11 curfew and a boyfriend and youve got to lay a good foundation now be strong you know whats best for your child thats why they call you mom

Answer 4

WOW...Same here. My 10 year old son wants a cell phone. I DONT THINK SO!! It's like this..."Want in one hand,......" That's right; I'm a single divorced(7yrs now)mother and although I've got a great job...the pay sucks! and I do NOT receive child support...so I see it like this; If it's an expensive want that is totally unneeded(10 yr olds do NOT need cell phones)...LIFE WILL GO ON without it...I dont even have a cell anymore. You may want to get your daughter a cell phone; I dont know? But if youre undecided or leaning toward No...I would suggest buying your 10 yr old a cd or earrings or something like that. Some would suggest a barbie doll...but I also have a 10 yr old...and they do grow up faster..my son would rather listen to music. or watch tv...etc

Answer 5

Buy her a fake cell phone...I'm kidding.

Just tell her no, and that she's to young to have one. Why do kids need them? What ever happened to the home phone?...I know I got a cell phone as soon as I turned the legal age to drive, and I got it for a reason. To call my parents to tell them where I am, or if I am in trouble. That should be the only reason to use a cell phone, at least for teenagers. I don't know. Anyways, if you do get your child a phone, then remember you're the one paying the phone bill each month.

Answer 6

Deciding whether she is too young to have a cell phone is totally up to you. Her having a cell phone can work out in your benefit also. With the new Disney phone you can monitor everything, even locate where she is. The reasons for her wanting one is not the best but she is a kid, and it is just a phone. But if you decide to get her one have her do chores or pull up her grades in order to get minutes for her phone, it could benefit the both of you. Good luck!

Answer 7

I'm 16 and I got my first phone when I was 13. I think in our society today, you're never too young to have a cell. In just a couple years, she'll be going out with friends and if you want to contact her it will be a lot easier if she has a phone. Look into TracFones. It's a pay as you go service with no contract. If she is responsible, I don't she anything wrong with buying her a phone.

Answer 8

Your 10 yo daughter needs a cell phone if she is likely to be in a situation where such a thing is necessary. Only you know whether this is likely. Giving a cell phone to your daughter because other kids have one is stupid.

Answer 9

Last year, for an optional activity, my daughter's 5th grade teacher asked parents to write their child a letter explaining why they will not be reciving a cell phone for Christmas. Here is mine:

Dear XXXX,

We understand how badly you want a cell phone. Having a cell phone may seem like a cool thing, but actually it is a great responsibility.

We want you to be safe. We have been teaching you since birth ways to behave in public places to avoid dangerous situations. You may think we are strict when we say “No, you may not go there,” but actually we are protecting you from potentially dangerous situations. Since you have 2 loving parents who are involved in your life, you do not need a cell phone.

We have spent more than two years taking you to martial arts classes to learn the art of self defense, and we believe you have developed the skills to avoid most confrontations
and defend yourself quite readily if a confrontation is unavoidable. Therefore, you do not need a cell phone.

If you have a special event, you need one of us to drive you there, and since we are so proud of your accomplishments, we expect to attend any events in which your accomplishments are showcased. Therefore, you do not need a cell phone.

A cell phone costs about $50. To buy minutes for your cell phone will cost about $20 per month or $240 per year. Since you are too young to have a job to earn money and your jobs around the house do not enable you to earn enough money, you will not get a cell phone. -End

Of course, you have your own reasons for not giving your 10 year old a cell phone. Bear in mind that when she says "everybody" has one, the reality is that SOME kids have them, but many do not.
And you can always use the old line our parents used on us : And if everyone jumped off a bridge, would you do that too?

Answer 10

My 13 year old was given a 200.00 cellphone for his birthday by his Dad. It went through the wash 2 months later. It still works but the sound is bad and the #3 doesn't work. He can't afford to replace it so uses it as is. It's normal for kids to be irresponsible at times and forget things. You should assume that the phone will get lost or damaged eventually. Whos going to pay to fix it? It just depends on how much you are willing to spend.