What are your views on the buying of cell phones for or against for kids?

Answer 1

Here's the old teacher complaining again! Cell phones in school are an endless battle for teachers. I think giving your teenager a cell phone for emergencies is a good idea, but how many teenagers will only use them in emergencies? Today, cell phones are used for taking pictures and videos, playing games, texting, internet, and everything short of beaming down to other planets. Kids were not allowed to have a cell phone visible during school hours, but who were we to tell them that? Every time I turned down the lights to show something o the overhead machine, I'd see a dozen lighted-up laps! One mother, whose daughter was failing miserably, said the girl had run up an $800 phone bill just text-messaging! This from a girl who was barely literate.

The kids would give me the argument that they needed the phone to call home in case of an emergency. I have never had a cell phone, and so far, have never needed one. I think the instant access of the cell phone has made people lose the ability to plan ahead or think their way out of a dilemma. In the past, you set your plans in the morning before school and stuck to them. If sports practice was canceled, you found a phone and called home. If your friends wanted to go to the mall after practice, you said no, your mother was coming to pick you up. That was that! You didn't go places where you'd be stranded.

If I were to get my children cell phones, I would be heartlessly strict about any calls made except for emergencies and important information. All calling minutes would be paid by them.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Once kids are old enough to spend any time away from their parents or school, I think it's a good idea for them to have a cell phone. Both of my daughters had simple cell phones with pre-paid minutes. We paid for a certain amount of time each month, anything over what we alotted, they either had to do without or buy their own minutes. Even after they used their pre-paid minutes, they could still dial 9-1-1 in an emergency. Neither had their own cell phone with a plan until they turned 18 and could buy one on their own.

Answer 4

I think that within reason cell phones are definitely acceptable for kids...not at 10 years old, but starting at 13 years, with some limitations (ie. emergencies only and maybe 5-6 friend contacts with a low number of minutes)

I got my first cell phone at 13 and i went through a lot when i was younger and if i didnt have a cell phone, there would have been NO way to get in touch with me as fast as i did. It is a great invention but used correctly and worthwhile.

Answer 5

I wish they would of had them when our daughter was younger We did get her a tr ac phone with prepaid minutes just to call home I do know of a lot of parents that have them for their kids the way this world is today they need to keep a close eye on the kids without being over protective The other day I seen on the news where their was a almost home invasion the girl text her boyfriend and he called the police Remember when we were kids and they had penny loafers? and the dime was to call home, Of course I didn't have the dime or the phone l.o.l

Answer 6

I, like other parents here, feel that cell phones in the hands of kids are for emergency use. Cell phones, just like computers, can be abused and that is something to guard against. Just my opinion.

Answer 7

I'm all for it, but only if they're the phones that can only dial a few emergency numbers. Otherwise, kids are just too irresponsible for them. When they're old enough to get a job and pay for any overage fees, then they can have the real thing. Until then, they only need to be able to dial their parents, a close family friend or other relative, and 911. They can use the house phone to talk to their friends the same way I did.

Answer 8

Well, Wally, I don't know how familiar you are with these phone plans but some companies have these plans for families where you buy one and can get two or up to four free phones and the service can be set to just minimal use as is the case with my great nieces, like use for contacting parents though I think too many kids have them simply for pleasure. My two nieces have them but only for calling their parents for a ride or something like that...it does save time. For example if my Nephew and his wife are at one daughter's game they can communicate with the other daughter to say we are on our way to your game...or whatever. So I think they are great for saving time and miscommunication but highly over used by most youth in my humble opinion.

Answer 9

I am for it when the kids get old enough where you aren't there a lot of the time. You can get good plans where you choose the amount of minutes they are allowed and set restrictions like saying it is for calling family members only. Otherwise it is hard for parents to keep track of their kids. It ends up not being too expensive if you get the right thing and completely worth it, that is once they are older.

Answer 10

Cell phones are now the primary mode of contact for many youngsters...as pay phones and other means of phone use have gone by the wayside. Both my grandsons have cell phones - a portion of the cost is paid for by them - using their earnings/allowances...and their mom has strict rules about usage..when, how long, where...etc

They use them to contact her when at school functions and sporting events or at friends' homes etc etc and are allowed to use them to speak to friends for a slot of time in the evenings and weekends