He has been begging for a cellphone for almost three years. He will be 10 in two weeks. Is this too young? Ever heard of the "kid safe phones" thru Verizon? How expensive is it compared to getting him a regular track phone and making him earn money to buy his own minutes?
2007-12-01 07:13:26 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Way too young. Everywhere he is there should be an adult with a phone nearby. He won't need a phone until he's gotten his driver's license or entered high school and is participating in extra curricular activities. He doesn't NEED a phone, he WANTS one. I want a plasma screen tv, but I'm not going to get one because it's not necessary. I didn't get a cell phone until I turned 18 and could pay for it on my own. If you do decide to get him one, he should be paying the bill. At the same time, I don't know of any ten year old that makes more than five or ten dollars a week which is not enough to cover the startup costs and the monthly costs of a phone, anyway. The faster you have him grow up, the more he'll be getting into, and the less influence you will have on his decisions. Give him a calling card.
2007-12-01 07:47:54 · answer #1 · answered by Sit'nTeach'nNanny 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO NO NO! A 10 year old has no need for a phone. Just because he wants one is not a good enough reason. 10 is too young to be responsible for a phone and not to rack up a huge bill. But who would he be calling/texting anyway? None of his friends would have a phone yet and he should never be alone without you yet. Wait until he is 14, has a job and can buy his own credit. By that age he'll be old enough.
2007-12-01 10:54:15 · answer #2 · answered by Pistachio 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think 10 is way too young for a cell phone! But if you are going to get him a phone make sure you are in control of how many minutes he can use. I think a track phone would be best that way you know there is no way he can run up a huge bill. And he will want to do chores so he can earn some extra cash for a phone card.
2007-12-01 07:22:02 · answer #3 · answered by honeybear 5 · 3⤊ 1⤋
I think he is def to young. My son is 12 now and has been asking for one for maybe 2 years...but for what? I always say, you are supposed to be where you say when you say, and when i say. So lets say he asked to go to a friends house. Then he should be there. If he needs to talk to me or i to him, i should be able to call there or vise versa and get him. He shouldn't be running around to where ever just because he has a phone. Other than that what other reason? to keep in touch with friends?? He does that at school and they can call the house. I have seen some of the things that kids send to other kids with cell phones! It appauling. Parents today do not spend enough time with there children and paying attention to what they are doing, saying, watching, and listening to. It's important. I trust my son, but he still is just a child and children make mistakes. Is he too young? i think so. but if you are going to do it anyway, make sure you get a phone that you can monitor at will, it's not just an expensive bill that is important!!
2007-12-01 07:28:04 · answer #4 · answered by Help 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I do think that a safe phone(Verizon Migo) is a great idea. I have seen the phone that you are talking about. From the reviews that I have read, it is a good phone. One problem with this phone is kids can change the phone numbers on this phone. This Verizon phone costs $99.00 with a two year agreement.
2007-12-01 07:49:07 · answer #5 · answered by Rosey55 D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't get my cell phone until I got my license. Where would your son go without you anyway? The only person a 10 year old really needs to call is his parents, and if he's at a friend's house, he can use the house phone.
Firefly is the "childsafe" phone that only allows for the child to call 10 people or something like that. www.fireflymobile.com
2007-12-01 07:25:50 · answer #6 · answered by DDRkid2009 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I think having him buy and pay for his own phone is a good idea. I don't think a 10-year-old needs a cell phone. If he wants one that bad he'll be able to earn it. Having a regular phone payment will teach him responsibility, too.
2007-12-03 20:10:18 · answer #7 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it's too young especially if he hangs out with friends (out riding bikes ect.) Check out those Disney mobile phones.Their kid safe phones. The trac phones and minutes can be just as expensive as one where you get a bill (depending on how much he uses it of course). That would be a great lesson on responsibility though with him buying minutes himself. Definitly shop around first and find the best deal.
2007-12-01 11:05:34 · answer #8 · answered by John M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that you should get him the phone but dont put money on it for him, put a small amount on to start with and tell him that is only for emergencies to contact you if necessary and if he spends it texting friends that you will take the phone off him untill he can prove he is grown up enough to be responsible with his phone and as he gets older then your idea of making him earn his money for his credit is very good.
2007-12-01 07:54:33 · answer #9 · answered by sally c 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why would a ten year old NEED a phone? Is there truly a NEED?
If not, don't give into your child's every desire. Obviously a seven year old has issues if he feels that a cell phone is so important. What type of environment is he being exposed to? A child at his age should be out playing, not begging for gadgets.
2007-12-01 07:20:27 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋