Community weekly poll: At what age should kids get their first cell phone?
- 6/20/06 10:06 AM
I still don’t get the cell phone thing…
by the Otter - 6/21/06 7:01 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I’m 31 and married with a kid of my own, and I still haven’t gotten my first cell phone.
Lest anyone think I’m a technophobe, I’m an IT professional who cut his own cable to pipe high-speed internet to four active computers; our wireless print server gives all four ’puters access to three different printers; music can be piped to any of three sets of speakers throughout the house, each with its own wireless access point. I’ve been a sysadmin, an Internet support technician, and now telecommute as a custom applications developer.
My wife and I have recently talked about getting cell phones, but we decided that walkie-talkies would be better: for a one-time charge of $30, we get a 12-mile range and never have to pay a service fee. How often is only one of us more than 12 miles from home, without the other one, and without access to a phone? On the rare occasion that I’m on a business trip, I just take the laptop along and we audiochat over the web—all for free!
I don’t deny that there are some people that can genuinely use a cell phone. My parents and disabled sister each got one years ago, so she could contact them in case of emergency. My wife’s parents each have one for work, and each of her four sisters have one, too. But the older of her brothers and his family just let their service lapse—felt there were much better things to use their money for—and neither we nor her younger brother and sister-in-law have ever had one. It’s not a necessity, and I personally believe the telecommunications industry is fleecing the average Joe out of billions and billions of dollars a year, simply by convincing him he needs a cell phone when he really doesn’t.
Just my 2¢.
there is no set age
by SphereLink - 6/21/06 7:23 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Every child and the circumstances surrounding the need or lack of are different.
We live in a rural area and our kids go to school in the next town.
My oldest daughter (now 19) got hers after she started going out of town for choir performances (in jr high). They got back early one night and the kid had to wait an hour alone in the dark before I got there to pick her up. She borrowed mine for awhile after that, until we got one for her.
My younger daughter (12) got hers last year after she made the volleyball team (in middle school). She had an away game I couldn't make because my son was sick, and they had no pre-set return time. She had to wait 45 minutes for me to get there. She borrowed mine for the next few away games and late practices, and I took my husbands. Rather inconvenient, as he works in some remote areas at times and needs his phone.
My son (just entering middle school), has no need for a cell, so he doesn't have one. When circumstances change necessitating the need, then we'll get him one.
As far as responsibility goes, we've actually changed our plan to fewer minutes and still have manged to accumulate two months worth of rollover minutes.
My nieces and nephews, on the other hand, who are all older (which is supposed to make them more mature right?) than my children have managed to run up HUGE bills, with downloads, ringtones, msn messages and who knows what else. Features we have, but my kids don't use.
As I said, all children are different.
Buy them a prepaid plan and they pay for the extra minutes.
by jcsmith - 6/21/06 7:38 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The answer to this question is really: "it depends." It depends on the kid and on their ciucumstances. In some cases it really is necessary for a kid to have access to a phone and some schools don't provide it. We bought our daughter a TracFone when she was in junior high school (intermediate school). The basic plan was a bit over a hundred bucks a year and if you bought it at the right time (seems like the best sales were in the fall) you got enough bonus minutes that you would have five or six hundred minutes included in the annual cost. You can sign up for a double minute plan where if you buy extra minutes you get two for the cost of one and if you buy them in 400 minute blocks the cost is about 10 cents a minute. The basic minutes that come with the plan are enough for our daughter to make all the necessary calls and if she wants to just yack on her cell phone she can buy the extra minutes out of her allowance or summer job money. For the first few yers, she didn't use over the basic minutes. As she got into high school she would use more (maybe double the basic number) and now that she is in college she buys a 400 minute card (800 minutes because they are doubled) every two or three months. It's still cheaper than the non-prepaid plans.
Whenever they are accountable for their actions.
by skopelman - 6/21/06 7:53 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
First, let me start off by saying that I have never had a cell phone, nor have the centuries and decades of people before us. Technology is neither good nor bad; as always, people choose. There are some young people, and many older ones too, who make wise decisions with what they have acquired, and there are many young and old who do not. Their choices depend upon their environment, their associations, and their own understanding of what their hearts deem right or wrong.
Cell phones have their purpose; for instance, there are times when a cell phone can help someone in traffic, or allow someone to call for medical assistance, for business transactions, or for pleasure.
At the same time, they can be used inappropriately, such as when someone in traffic needs to keep alert on the road instead of having their thoughts and hands preoccupied, possibly endangering others. I have seen one person with two cell phones in use simultaneously. These kinds of cell phone activities require the user to be accountable and have good judgement. Who makes these calls? Parents certainly, law enforcement, common sense, etc.
I do not believe age is as significant a factor as the aforementioned, and therefore has little bearing on when someone should use or own one. There is a right time and place for most things we do, including the use of cell phones.
When they begin to drive (16) and not before that.
by kolber - 6/21/06 7:57 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Cell phone use and ownership should go along with needs. Before driving age, what is a child doing that he needs a cell phone? With curfews and limitations on where children should go without adult supervision, I don't see a need for such things any earlier than the point at which they are allowed to drive or be in a car with a friend who's driving.
I don't care if you say "my child is MORE mature" than the average 10 year old. It doesn't fly. You are giving in to trends and promoting latch-key living. If a child is at a friend's home, don't they have a telephone? Wouldn't it be good to call the house and talk to the adult in charge? You never know what you are going to learn (or not learn as the case may be) from the child. Calling "homes" is a way of communicating with families. Cell phones and children just isolates you from the actual environment that he/she is in.
Between driving with cell phones in hand and handing out cell phones to children, our society is becoming more irresponsible everyday.
Kids? When They Can Pay. Adults? When not driving!
by NedHamson - 6/21/06 8:10 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If kids earn their own money, let them get cell phone. Provide a kid with a device for kid to parent communication only - when parent's can afford. If adult cannot walk or drive wtihout talking on the cell - grin - they should have shoes and driving permit cancelled!
Ned
when should kids have cell phones
by geoffreper - 6/21/06 8:48 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I don't know about the USA,but here in the Uk there are quite a lot of nasty people around.Having a mobile(cell)phone enables parents to keep track of their children,and if they do get into difficulties...it is very easy for them to contact either the police or a parent.Ok! at a young age there is a risk of it being stolen.I would rather have my childs mobile(cell) phone stolen than their life.
grandparents reply
by david2647 - 6/21/06 8:50 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
We got a cell phone as soon as our budget could handle the extra cost factor. Based on our experience we think that young kids should not have cell phones until they are mature enought to be respondable to have it. It's not a toy nor is it a social idol to own one either. It's a useful tool of the 21th century. Using it accordinly can be a God sense.
When they start driving around age 16
by EllenK - 6/21/06 8:53 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
For our kids, we had them added to our cell phone plan when they were 16 and driving. They were responsible for paying the $15/month fee along with any additional charges they incurred. Before that, if they needed a cell phone, we would give them one of ours to use. There have been several times when we've had to go and rescue them because of flat tires, cars that won't start etc. Because we live in the country, they were a necessity so they didn't sit along some rurual road. Once they turned 18, we had them go on their own plan.
Modern technology & personal responsibility
by ryuko098 - 6/21/06 8:57 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I think that, if you can afford the expense of cell phones for your children, then it is worth considering. There are a lot of good technologies out, like the Firefly, which only allows kids to call, say, a few preset numbers (i.e., 911, mom, dad), with a limited amount of airtime. As this technology grows, I think it will be a great convenience, even a life saver, for kids to have them - as soon as they are old enough to properly handle it and understand what they are doing - say, 7 or 8?
As for regular cell plans, I probably wont be getting my children their own until they have jobs. Like Lee stated, it depends on their level of responsibility (and how much $ I make too 
), but I honestly think that a cell plan is a good way to teach a teenager responsibility. When I was that young, I had my own phone line and dail-up internet connection. I didn't get my own until I got my first job, and I reimbursed my parents for any expenses incurred on that bill. Worked for me, I'm sure it'll work for the modern teen. Oh, and having to get a part-time job at 15 or 16 to pay for their cell/games/music/whatever is a great way to prepare teens for living on their own as adults!
I have known many kids who are very responsible. I also know responsibility is taught by parents. So, it's your call!
It all depends on the family
by jazzy5 - 6/21/06 9:11 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I personally believe kids should not have cell phones. All of us grew without a cell phone and we are ok. But I do understand our times when we were kid are not the same now. So all comes to, how muture is your kid. You know your kid and you can see if they needed.
Now 11 years old kid with phone does not make sense. If you pick them up from school, why do they need a phone? A 16 year old that is working a part time job or is now driving does make sense in having a phone. If you have a real family, your kids will be for the most part with you and talking to you, not to some friend that you do not know.
A phone is not a status symbol or get away from the family. It should be use for emergency and important occasion, and certainly not while driving.
I got one for my daughter when we got her a car to go to High School. She understood the use for it and use it when needed. So all depends on the child and the family.
Story forentertainment
by Savile Burdett - 6/21/06 9:16 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
One Christmas lunch 6 year old grandchild could not get a word in edgewise so phoned Mum (sitting next to her) "Can I say something" she asked whem Mum connected. All sorts of uses for mobile phones even if only 6!
Savile
Kids First Cell Phone
by SNS55 - 6/21/06 9:21 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My children never had their own cell phone until they were out of high school. I doubt that my grandchildren will have theirs anytime soon either.
I read about how students are having a special ring that older teachers can't hear, so they can "cheat on test" whether this is true or not cheating is cheating.
Cell phones are also becoming a bothersome in the workforce as well (getting off the subject I know).
Age of child for first cell phone: Depends on the situation in my book.
(NT) When they ask & you think they mean it, get 'em a prepa
by spicetrader - 6/21/06 9:48 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
cell phone's for teens
by sir jock - 6/21/06 10:38 AM In reply to: At what age should kids get their first cell phone? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
as far as I'm concerned its a question of finance:when the child/teenager can afford to buy and pay for the costs themselves - that's when they can have them!!
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