6 year old with a cell phone?!?

Question

My goddaughter turned 6 this past weekend and for her birthday, a friend got her a cell phone (pre-paid). Her mom is very upset and angry because she feels that this should have been discussed first. I completely agree. What do you think? By the way, her mom is against it and would not have wanted her to have it. What should she say to the parent who got it? Anything? (She is a good friend of hers)

Answer 1

I think this is wrong in two ways. One when the pre paid time or minutes run up then it's up to the mother of the child to pay for it. Nobody should just assume that she is up to it. It's not right and then it makes the mom look wrong.
Two, a six year old should not need a cell, it's not like she's alone [at least I'd hope not] so she really doesn't need one. I would give it back. Say something like "thank you for your gift, it was kind and thoughtful but she just doesn't need this right now." Or just put it away until she gets older.

Answer 2

I doubt the 11 year old was using a credit card. A credit card is a financial contract, and an 11 year old can't enter into a financial contract. Even if it was in their parents name, the parent would have to be there to sign and show ID. It was most likely something like a Visa gift cards. Both my kids get them for birthdays and Christmas. It's a great way for them to see the limits their money goes and teaches them financial responsibility. They can't go over the limit of the card and so they have to plan how they'll spend it. Regarding cell phones. My youngest got one of the parent/911 only phones at 8 because her dad and I had joint custody, and live about 40 miles for each other. It helped her feel better if she wanted to talk to the other parent if she wanted to. She's getting her first 'real' cell phone next week. It's got an MP3 player, so that's what she is more interested in, than the phone part. As for a 6 year old? I can't imagine any time when a 6 year should not be under the direct supervision of an adult, so needing a phone that young, is a bit ludicrous.

Answer 3

I don't think 6 year olds should have a cell phone, I see no purpose in it at all. I personally think cell phones ruined people, everyone is so rude now and everyone always has a phone stuck to the side of their head, I don't want my children to be like that, I have 2 kids 9 and 11 and they aren't getting any cell phones anytime soon. I would get mad to if someone bought my child a phone too, I probably wouldn't say anything to the friend but, I wouldn't use the phone either.

Answer 4

I would say it's definitely up to the parent of the child whether or not they should have a cell phone, not a friend of the family. Why a six year old needs one is totally beyond me and I would suggest she find a nice way to return the phone and explain her feelings on the subject. This friend totally overstepped her boundaries and did something without consulting the parent, so I can understand why she's upset.

Answer 5

I don't know whether it's worth it to get angry and upset, but it seems pretty inappropriate for a 6 year old to have a phone. I mean, 6 year olds probably shouldn't ever be left alone, right? And if they're not alone, why would a child need a cell phone? Why, in my day, 6 year olds were pretty advanced if they could use a normal phone.

I think she should just give the phone back and say, "Thank you for thinking of her, but it's just not appropriate to give her a phone."

Answer 6

I would also be very upset. That is a gift that should be discussed. If I were the mom, I would approached the friend and say, "I know you meant well getting my daughter a cellphone, however, I am going to have to give it back to you. My daughter is not ready for a cell phone and I wish you would have discussed it with me before getting it."

She should leave it simple. That would be the best way to keep everything non confrontational.

Answer 7

Mom should put the phone away. Let her child get the phone out on special occassions like calling you, or her grandma, etc. But she shouldn't let the child have the phone all the time. It's hard to know why her friend got her the phone (is there a distant relative or dad living somewhere else that she would be able to call with the phone??). But I don't think she needs to say anything to her friend. The phone can be used, with the proper supervision.

Answer 8

I agree with the mother 200%!! Children should NOT have cell phones unless they can pay for them on their own. As for the idiot who bought a child a cell phone - the mother should tell the moron that gifts like that should be discussed with the PARENT and from now on, she'd appreciate age-appropriate things.

Answer 9

6 is young to have a cell. Well your friend did it. Not appropriate. You are the parent, so tell your kid she can only have it when she is alone at libraries or at the mall with her friends with your supervision. Make it clear that this is for her safety and not for chatting with friends. Monitor her activities closely.

Tell your friend what you have done and thank her for being thoughtful but firmly and gently tell her that you did not plan on buying her one because she was too young. See what your friend has to say. I am sure they have good reasons.

Answer 10

Well, maybe she can sit down and talk to her friend about her idea when to let her girl have a cell phone, and to avoid the embrassment, she can tell her friend that the phone will be temporary keep in the cabinet until the girl is bigger then she will be allow to use it!