Why do kids & young teens have cell phones?

Question

If I had kids, I'd tell them no cell phones untill their 16 with a job so they can pay for it. (maybe I'd help them to get a good one.)

o.k.-cell phones for certain kids & teens can come in handy for safety purposes like them Disney phones (never heard of them till now.) but not talk to friends all day & run up the bill, only parents & 911.

Answer 1

Kids And Teens Have Cell Phones Because THEY NEED THEM.
A.] In Case They Get Lost
B.] Need/Get Help Help
C.] Someone Is trying to hurt them, Kidnapping Etc.
D.] Needs To contact their Parent.
E.] Parents Are Divorced need to call long distance
F.] Emergency
G.] Need A Ride Home From Someplace
H.] If You Need To Find Them/ Contact Them When They're Not At Home

Answer 2

Well, some kids need a cell phone because both parents work and they walk a long distance to school or use a public transportation system. Phones like the firefly or disney phones are appropriate for children needing to use the public transportation system, walk a long distance, etc. If a child is not in a situation like this then i dont think it's necessary for a child or teen to have a cell phone. 16 is a great age for a cell phone because they most likely are driving so their parents probably want to talk to them every 10 minutues and they have a job and are able to afford to pay his or her bill.

Answer 3

You know, I never in a million years would have thought I'd get my kids cell phones! But we got a deal where the phones are free, and the extra lines are only $10 per month. They've come in really handy (late bus, need a ride, etc.) and our kids have been very responsible with them. We set strict rules - calls only to parents and 911 unless they have permission.

I'm sure they feel 'cool' having them, although that was never my intention. I just know I feel better knowing that if an emergency arises, they can reach me.

Answer 4

Ill have to disagree. I got my cell phone when i was 13, cuz I was involved in liek 3 after school activities. And i didn't want to waste 30 minutes a day waiting for my parents to pick me up once i called them from a payphone. I also had too much pride to ask somebody else to use theirs. I would suggest that you buy your kids a cell phone as soon as possible, but make it restrictive, if u are afraid taht they will talk for like 10,000 minutes. and make it a simple phone, but dont make them pay for it. THats your job, ur the parent. Eventually, they will be taking care of you with their money, so it all works out. Once you think they are responsible enough, you can give them some more freedoms.

Answer 5

Kids and Teens, get cell phones because the way that the divorce rates are many parents don't associate with their kids that they have to have a phone to contact the parents to get a ride home


The reason I got a cell phone is because there was an almost abduction by my school, once in a while I have to walk home and to school so it is a safety thing, because the only thing that saved the girl was her cell phone someone was following her and she called the cops and they transported her home safely and soundly

Answer 6

I don't know why they have cell phones. They don't need them. Although, my daughters have one (my twins are 9 and youngest is 6). They have one because they are with their father most of the time and then they can call me long distance without running up phone bills... They have one of those kids phones with only 4 numbers to push that I programmed in. That is the only reason they have one. And they don't take it out of the house.
But if they wanted one to call their friends and such I would have to say "NO" until they can get a job and pay the bill themselves.

Answer 7

I got my son a cell phone when he was 12; it allowed him the freedom to contact me at anytime. We have a pretty big neighborhood that borders on some woods, and the boys would go play in there, so if something happened he could call for help. In fact, one of his friends did get severe burns in those woods when they were 10 (my son wasn't there at the time). Or if he needed to be picked up from a friend's house, etc. (back then, one friend's family had dial up internet and didn't have a second phone line).

My son started working around the neighborhood at the age of 8 to earn spending money, so if he went over his monthly allotment, he paid the overage with his own money. At 9 p.m., I would take the phone from him and put it on the charger in my room.

Answer 8

My teens begged me for cell phones. Absolutely not. Once they're driving yes, but if I find out they're talking on it while driving, no more. I don't get it either. Is there something wrong with using a pay phone at the mall to call home to check in? Oh, the injustice of it!

Answer 9

Well, it depends on the scenarios. There are rural kids, suburban kids, city kids, other kids. It should have to do with need and not a toy to talk all day to friends and it's an opportunity to teach young people about paying bills. Balance it all and I think you will find a different answer for different kids.

Answer 10

if the kid is above 11 then the kid should be aloud to have a cell phone because if they were ever out and you couldnt find them then you could call there cell phone and tell you where they are also if they got kidnapped and they had one of those disney phones then you find out exactly where they are