Should an 8 year old have a cell phone?

Question

My ex wife in a never ending quest for control bought my 8 year old son a cell phone for his birthday. Now, he brings the phone over the house and thinks up every reason under the sun to use it, specifically to call who is in the address book of the phone. Well the address book only contains my ex's friends, family and she even put the number of her first husband in it(his brothers dad). He is never alone without me or my wife and there have never been any issues until now, with this. Her arguement about him having it for his "safety" doesnt work, because he is never alone. There have never been any allegations of abuse or mistreatment on any side and we have been divorced for 8 years. I think I am going to tell him to turn it off when he is with me, but when he is with his mom he can use it as much as he wants.

My thought is that this is just another way for her to pry into my visitation and exert influence all under the excuse of "safety". Any thoughts?

Answer 1

No...I do not think he should have a cell phone. When he is mature enough to use the phone, that is when he would get one. I think like you do, when he is with you, take the phone and when he goes home to his MOM , give it to him. If she don't like it, too damn bad. What you do on your time with him is none of her business...

Answer 2

Bring up the idea of replacing the phone with one that is actually designed for young kids. They can only call about 4 different numbers that mom and dad program into the phone and I think you can block incoming calls from any number not stored in the phone. My boyfriend's son is 8 and he and his ex are talking about getting one. He still has a phone for safety reasons and if you want it turned off white he's with you your ex can call your cell phone or house instead.

Answer 3

as long as you have been truthful with us in this forum about abuse or mistreatment than u don't have to put up with this, i would let him call mom on it to say goodnight or that type of thing otherwise keep it turned off, how about adding your contact numbers on it in case of emergency while he is with mom, but 8 yr olds dont generally need cell phones, might be a good idea though if he leaves and walks to a friends home, then he would have it with him if he needed help in that couple of blocks or a phone at their own house, do you have a phone at your house, and do you and your wife have cell phones, this was not addressed in your question, if you dont have a house phone, then guy i'm sorry i'm with her, and if you don't have cells the same thing, im a mom and a phone is a real necessity in todays world, and the other question u have to ask yourself is if this is worth a problem with your ex. i would say if you have the phone issue covered like i said with a home phone and cells when you are out then he really dosent need one unless you are not letting him tell mom goodnight or something. good luck

Answer 4

Yes, this sounds like a control issue. If you take it away, you are made out to be the bad guy and she just has another thing to crab about. You should help your son fill his contacts with numbers of your relatives. If it's fun for him to use the phone, she won't mind paying for the minutes for him to call grandma and grampa, uncles and aunts, distant cousins and whomever else's number you can dig up. Let him get to know your side of the family a little more! At her expense! My best advice is to just be real with your son. There will come a day when these tricks of hers will become crystal to him. He will remember who was real and who was constantly trying to manipulate situations. You know its about that more than a cell phone. Good luck :)

Answer 5

I agree with you on contolling when your son uses his phone. I don't see any reason why he should have to be calling people all the time. I bought my 8 year old son a pre-paid phone so i can get a hold of him at friends houses without disturbing the families. But he does not get to use it whenever he wants. I do restrict his use and he only has minutes when i put them on it.

Answer 6

I think it's too young to have a phone, too much of a responsibility for an 8 year old and is there any limits, they aren't cheap! She should of got him something else for his birthday and if she really wanted him to have a phone, only buy one and give it to him when needed. Either way, like you said, if he's never alone, then there really is no need for it. Like you said and I guess all you can do is, not allow him to use it while he's with you.

Answer 7

I do not know. I got one for 6th grade commencement since I was going into middle university, and that used to be early. Only a few days in the past my 10 12 months ancient neighbors asked me for my mobile quantity. There is no point for it if all they ever do is hand around in the nearby and at college or someones apartment. They don't even stroll to institution, and there mother is continuously dwelling. Even if she wasn't, they just go to my condo if there residence is locked. I don't have any inspiration after they would even use it! And, if they are kidnapped, do you quite believe the kidnapper would allow them to whip out there phones to name their mommies? Its not likely they might even have carrier anyway if the kidnapper used to be clever.

Answer 8

i wouldn't give one to a child under 10 unless ther was great maturity.

unfortunately, as the non-custodial parent you don't get a vote in the decision on the phone.

completely prohibiting use of the phone while the child is with you is gonna cause more grief than you probably want. make some rules about appropriate times for the phone.

pick your battles wisely

Answer 9

When he takes a nap swipe the phone and throw it away. Tell him the phone fairy took it. Seriously, throw it away and tell him it got lost. Most 8 year olds will forget it in a minute. If mom asks where it is at tell her you don't know maybe he lost it. Can't expect an 8 year old to hold onto everything.

Answer 10

My thought is that you are paranoid. I have a almost 8 year old boy and a 10 year old girl and they BOTH have cell phones. They are never alone without myself or their father EXCEPT when they go to school. If they have an issue at school, I want to know, not when the teacher or whoever decides to call. People in this world are crazy nowadays and one can never be too careful about their child's safety!!!!!!!!