Is this okay?

Question

My mother won't let me get a phone until i'm 16, so whenever I go places with my friends, I always keep a phone that has no service in my purse. I know it seems retarted, but I do it. My friends don't care b/c I told them it was for emergencies only, but what do you all think?

it has emergency abilities on it like 9-1-1, but nothing else.

Answer 1

Try to do more chores around the house and more stuff maybe babysitting to get more money. you can buy a virgin mobile prepaid fone for only 20 bucks, and it comes with 20 dollars already in the account. its good because u have to add 20 every 3 months at the least, so thats like 7 dollars a month if u dnt spend it all and only use it for emergencies like calling ur mom or dad and if ur out of the house. the minute is 18 cents a minute, not too bad! i would reccomend this and i think u should tell your parents about this. hope i helped and good luck!!!

Answer 2

With this day and age, It really is important to own a phone. I am sure that your mom feels she doesn't want to pay for unnecessary calls, but if you were stranded and needed help or for those emergencies, yes, it is worth having. Maybe your mom needs to check into a plan that would work for you and your family. There is free calling to another phone within that plan. That way you could call home when you needed to. Personally a phone that has no service in your purse is dead weight. Perhaps carrying a calling card would make more sence. If she still refuses to get you a phone, then wait it out or get a job so that you can purchase one yourself.

Answer 3

If it makes you feel better, do whatever you want.

If it has no service, though, what's the purpose of keeping it in your purse? Its just weighing your purse down. What if there really WAS an emergency and one of your friends didn't have their phone? That would be a little disapointing/embarassing. Why don't you tell the truth instead of being so self consious? Material things aren't everything. If you want a phone so bad, get a little pre-paid one and pay for it every month. Its really cheap, $10 I think.

Edit: if you're able to call 911 on it, then I agree, its good to have it on you.

Answer 4

I can't argue your Mothers point about her decision. I also don't think there is anything wrong with having a non-working cell phone on your person. It just might send a would-be attacker in another direction if they think that you are talking to someone on the other end of your non-working telephone! Besides, there are times when you might want to talk to yourself in a manner that appears to be more "socially acceptable" to other people! Keep it charged up so that you can keep up your little "secret". I think it's fine & so are you. It's like playing dress-up with a purpose...your personal protection from predators! I hope you'll be 16 soon & your Mom will give you a better service package from one of the companies of the cell phone service providers!

Answer 5

I think it's a great idea in terms of having an emergency backup. Now in terms of your image, you really shouldn't be worried about that. Today having a cell phone has become a luxurious neccesity but if you think about it...until four years ago were teenagers just getting their hands on cell phones. I didn't have a cell phone until freshman year of college, and as much as I always wanted to have one, I really didn't need it. Don't worry about what your friends think. There are many reasons why people don't have cellphones. In my case, we couldn't afford to have more than two...so my parents shared a plan. Relax and just enjoy yourself. Having a cellphone, though great to have, isn't the most important thing in the world. If it were me, i'd be trying to get a laptop out of my parents. You have more leverage that way...say you need it for school. :-)

Answer 6

I think you should always just be yourself. If your friends can't deal with it then they aren't worth hanging around. If I wasn't allowed to have a phone, I'd just say "Im not allowed to have a phone." Who cares what your friends think!

When you realise that your friends don't know anything better than you do, about ANYTHING, then you won't feel the need to pretend things like this anymore. It's all just opinion, and nobody's opinion is any better than anyone else's.

It's kind of a bad habit to get in to, doing things that aren't true, and that aren't true to yourself. So stop doing those things, be yourself, and your true friends will RESPECT that about you, and even look up to you for it.

Answer 7

I never had a phone until I was 16 and started driving. Its a good idea to carry one with emergency number options. If you think you need one when you go out maybe you could ask if you could borrow one of your parents or older siblings phones in case you need to get in touch with anyone.

Answer 8

I think it is very smart as long as you keep it charged. All cell phone are required to dial 911 even if they are not activated. Have you talked to your mom about getting a pre-paid phone? That way, you have a set limit each week/month/whatever and you can tell her it will come out of your allowance. It will help teach financial responsibility and phone etiquette. You will learn to set limits on yourself. Most moms are willing to listen if a teen says they are willing to compromise and set their own limits. I'm a mom and I hope my child will do what you've done. Good for you!

Answer 9

it is sort of odd doing this, but it is not bad in any way. like the other person said, you do care very much about what others think of you.
even if you cannot use the phone for calling others, it is a good idea to have anyways since all phones (even those with a nonworking sim card) can call 911. probably not gonna be used much, but still could come in handy.

Answer 10

sorry love i think mum is wrong,you should have a phone,all my grandchildren have got a phone they have had one since they were 10 years old so they can ring us to let us know were they are and we can ring them,and we all feel safe and the child feels safe,if you are at that age you will want a phone to ring you friends and text them,your not a child as long as you are the one who is paying for the calls not your mum,you have to buy the credit for the young ones,even at 16 us parents like to know were you are,that mant things can happen now days
all the best luv i do hope you get a phone