my eleven year old wants a cell phone should i get him one or not?

Answer 1

In my opinion no but disney mobile is now out and it allows you to decide who they can call and who they cant and you can check the status of their usage online at any time. It would also help you keep in contact with them if they are away from home, that would be the only reason id consider it.

Answer 2

Please do not get your son a cell phone. I look down and parents when I see kids with cell phones. I'm 22 years old and I've didn't get a cell phone until I got married (age 20). And now I don't have one anymore because I don't need one. Yes, kids like to feel cool with having one, if that is the case by him a phone with no service and let him walk around with it. This is how I see it, if a "Child" wants a cell phone then THEY need to go buy it. Let them work for the money to pay for it. If he gives you the whole. "but mom what if I'm out and something happens and I need to call you or someone for help" then you do this. Buy a "Family" phone, but make sure its under YOUR name and he knows its YOUR phone. I don't see why an 11 year old needs to be any wear along, but lets say he goes to a movie with some friends. You can drop him off and give him the phone. That way he has a phone in case something happens. When he gets home, make him give you the phone back. That way he has it if he needs you why he is away. No CHILD should have there own cell phone unless they BUY it themselves. And even then I would keep a eye on the bills to make sure who they are calling and how much its costing. Remember even if they buy it, you can still be a parent and take it away.

I don't think a parent should EVERY buy there kid a phone, even if they are 18.

If you do plan on giving him a cell phone at age 11, then make sure you pack him away some condoms as well...

Answer 3

My opinion, an eleven year shouldnt be in a situation where they would need a cell of their own, they are too young to be out and and about (i.e. mall, movies etc) without an adult, so there is absolutely no reason, if you said 15 or 16, Id pause think and say yeah I can see that, you would have contact at all times when he/she is out of the house.

Eleven years old is still a child, not a preteen, a child, who should be doing no more than playing outside with the neighborhood kids, for a while after school, I am old fashioned with children, and dont believe that at this age a child should have much freedom outside of parental direction, so why would they need one.

In my house, if you dont have a job you dont have a cell, because mom isnt paying all the overage charges for the misuse of a cell phone.

Now maybe one of those new kid phones would work, they only get 4 phone numbers in case of emergency to use, but why bother even at 11 they shouldnt be out without adult supervision, unless in the neighbors yard LOL.. and if they are some where with a friend, the parents should be there too and would prob have a cell.

Answer 4

If it was my kids at 11 years old. I would not get them a cell phone first because they wouldnt be anywhere without a adult there anyways. but this isnt my kids so...

Well if your child really wants the phone and you do see some need in him having one I would for sure get him a prepaid cell phone with these agreements. He would only get it when he when out with other friends. I wouldnt let him have it all the time. But if u choose to let him have it all the time. Then i would say if he gets an allowence. Then i would make him buy the minutes for the phone, because if he wants to be responable enough for a cell phone then you should also teach him the responable that goes with the phone which is paying the bill/ adding minutes to it.
Wal-Mart sell the prepaid phones the basic ones for like 40-50 bucks. I wouldnt get him the one with the camera phone and all the goodies on it becasue chances are that he will lose it or misplace it some where., and honestly a child doesnt need a fancy phone the basic one works just find for calling home to let the parents know he is ok or whatever.
150 minute phone card from wal mart is about $13.00 which a lil less then 9 cents a minute
500 minute phone card also from wal mart is about $40.00 dollors which is lil less then 8 cents a minute.
1000 Mintute card from wal mart is about $60.00 and is a lil less then 6 cents a minute.
If you really feel there is need for him to get one then i would and if it would keep ur stress level down then sure, but i would for sure teaching them the rest of the respondables that goes with a cell phone which is paying the bill/adding mintues. I hope this helps you out. Good Luck.
P.S here is the link for prepaid cell phones.
http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&search_query=+prepaid+cell+phone&ic=24_0&Continue.x=19&Continue.y=8

AND HERE IS THE LINK FOR THE MINUTES.

http://www.walmart.com/search/search-ng.do?search_constraint=0&search_query=minutes+for+prepaid+cell+phone&ic=24_0

Answer 5

I think cell phones can be great for security and safety reasons, especially when the minutes are limited and the calls are monitored. HOWEVER, 11 years old is too young. The way I see it, if a parent doesn't have a handle on where their eleven year old is every second then the problem is not a cell phone. So, I'd say no... wait a little while until he/she is old enough to go out at night etc.

Answer 6

An eleven year old is far too young for a cell phone. If you want to stay in touch with him, get one of those walkie talkie things they have out now instead of a cell phone.

Answer 7

2 months ago I would of said no. But it just so happens that I have an 11 year old, and he wanted a cell phone and I said no way. Then we moved to town, where he has the opportunity to run with his friends and out of my sight. Well the first day of that was enough for me. I went right to the store and got him a cell. I have him call me when he gets to his destination, and if he leaves there to go anywhere. And he calls me before he comes home so I know how soon he should be there. It's just a comfort to know that I can call him if I need him for something or he can call me. And the way things are today, you might want that added security. I say you need to look at your situation with him, and go from there.

Answer 8

I would get a prepaid cell phone. A couple of my friends have put their kids on cell phones and ended up with 500 dollar phone bills because the kids did realize that they used up their minutes and text messages cost more. prepaid phones have a certain number of minutes and then they need to buy another card, ranging from 18.00-120.00. No surprises. The up side is with a cell phone you are always able to reach them and the child has a life line to you. Both my kids have prepaid phones to carry with them for emergency purposes and I haven't had a problem.

Answer 9

I would suggest if you do that it be one of those with limited use...like the kind that YOU pre-program in a few numbers that he can dial. I make my girls use the prepaid ones now...and they buy the minutes for it with their babysitting money. (But they are teens, not 11 years old). We have gone through the "you'll run the bill up" routine, and that commercial is really true in many situations.
I guess you have to determine if he really needs one. I mean, kids are given almost everything they want in this day and age and I don't think that is necessarily a good thing. I tell my girls that wanting is good for them, and working hard to get what they want even better. Just my opinion.

Answer 10

Sure! Go to Alltell and get him one that you can pay as you go! It costs like $29 a month and gives him so many weekday minutes and so many weekends. Or the $49 for more minutes. Its a good way to start them on it- and its an excellent way to keep track of them when they r gone. Did u see- they have come out with a fone that actually shows on a map where the call is coming from? WOW talk about keeping an eye on your kids! But defeinetely get him one that is pay as u go. Track fones are okay but the minutes are way expensive!