Cell phone debate

[acruce]

My son wants a a cell phone for his tenth birthday in May. I don't really have a problem with it but my wife does. What do you think

[Darrell]

Hell no. What's a 10 yr old need a cell phone for?

[G G]

absolutely not.

[acruce]

He will be 10

[Tripp]

I'm with Mean D.

[Emjaysmash]

Same as everyone else. A ten year old doesnt need a cellphone, unless he constantly gets into situations where there are emergencies.
If you must get him a cellphone, get him one of those phone with only 4 buttons, all preprogrammed in. Otherwise, I'd buy him a videogame. lol

[Salvelinus]

Get him a couple cups and string. Let him know that as he gets older you will continue to upgrade it.

[taltos]

Probably no need for a cell phone.

[floydpink]

if you do, block texting.

[Starscream]

I voted no, but having a kids phone/Disney phone, in which the user can only call certain people would not be a bad idea. But your 10yr old will probably hate it.

[forgop]

The only cell phone a 10 year old needs is the junk phone you've taken out the SIM card when you upgrade to a new one. Otherwise, if you go forward with it, do it only under the premise of having to pay for it with his own allowance and when he doesn't earn the amount needed to pay it, you repossess said phone.

I'm questioning why you are even considering it though.

[T.G]

If you get him a phone, consider getting one that has GPS tracking in it so you know where his phone, and hopefully he, is.

Disclaimer: I don't have any kids so take the above soley at face value and not from experience.

[JE3146]

I had one at age 14, but never used it at all till I turned 17.. then I became addicted to it.

Honestly the longer you wait before introducing it the better off you'll be, but there's a fine line between that and the need to get ahold of him for emergency reasons and/or just needing a form of contact.

Where that line is drawn is ultimately up to you, but at 10... I think it's too young.

I agree with the above though. Disable txting, internet, all that crap IF you decide to get it.

[Eleven]

We have an extra one on our plan, and gave it to our 11 year old son for hockey weekends when we may be separated. Sometimes he stays at other hockey players houses, team mom will take em somewhere, or we'll stay at the hotel while he does things with the team.

It didnt take too long and he lost it. Now to be honest some other boys on the team have lost phones this year too, but my wife's number one objection was that she knew he was gonna lose it and he did.

It was gone in a matter of a 15 minute walk from a restaurant to the rink, we re-traced that route several times over the weekend but nothing.

Only really bad thing about it was that if anyone found it that day before we had a chance to shut the line down could have made calls to just about anywhere. We'll know when we get the bill I suppose.

You asked for opinions, here is mine: 10 is too young. In my sons case, 11 was too young. He'll be lucky to get another one until he gets a job.

[yellowgoat]

Get him a child cell phone. They have many, Check out CNet and your wireless carrier.

CNet Kids Cell Phone Reviews (http://reviews.cnet.com/cell-phones/lg-migo-vx1000-verizon/4505-6454_7-31641994.html)

It's good to let your kid have a phone as long as you have complete control over it.

If something happens and it may be the only way he can get in touch with mom and dad.

Thank hard about it first.

[catfish2]

That age seems very young to me (but I've never had any kids). Maybe this could be some kind of responsibility learning experience for him.

[BlackDog]

What good can come from a 10 y/o with a phone? None that I can think of. We don't permit our kids to have a phone until they're 16. And even then, I'm not sure it's a real good thing.

[junkinduck]

A 10 yo doesn't need a phone. And if your house is like mine if momma aint happy no ones happy. Don't go aginst momma.

[acruce]

A 10 yo doesn't need a phone. And if your house is like mine if momma aint happy no ones happy. Don't go aginst momma.

Aint that the truth.

[bvilchez]

I say no. My sister gave my nephews phone at the age of 12 to each of them. At that age you can say that children are very immature, and many are, but not in this case.

They have texting on their phone but believe it or not have never used it.....I find it not to be true either but then she showed me the phone bill.


I believe it is too young. He might be upset at you for not getting him a phone but oh well...tough luck!!! You and your wife make the decisions around the house. I know that we want to please our children and give them whatever they want...sometimes. But at that age I believe they will not comprehend the responsibility of a cell phone.

[MedicCook]

My feelings is he is 10 y/o. A 10 y/o does not need a cell phone.

[Neuromancer]

A cell phone at 10 years old opens a whole can of worms...that's when they start getting into trouble and hiding things from you and a cell phone will only exacerbate the problem...

[kelmac07]

10 years old? How about a bike?

[icehog3]

10 years old? How about a bike?

I had my first hooker at 10, but a cell phone? Not a chance.


:)

[Skywalker]

He'll shoot his eye out!!!:D

[jdakine]

No no no, he does not need a cell phone. However if you do get him one, I would suggest getting unlimited texting

[akumushi]

A big N-O on that one. If you need him to have a phone so you can get ahold of him when he's out, then get him a pre-paid or a kiddie phone like was posted above, but kids don't need to be wired that young.

[Lucky_Hippo]

Lady at work gave her boys phones when they were around that age. They texted her and called her from school all the time. "The teacher is being mean" "So and So isn't doing what they are supposed to" "I want this shirt that Tommy has"...etc

They are both around 18 now and have HUGE dependency issues and turned into grown up cry babies because they never had the chance to go through normal life situations without the "apron strings" attached.

Honestly, if my 10 year old was going with someone or some place that I felt they NEEDED a cell phone for emergencies, I'd reconsider letting them go in the first place.

[leasingthisspace]

I am not voting but I will tell you we got my son a phone at 10, heck it may have been at 9. We got him a kiddie phone with like 4 numbers we got to put in for him. So it was like Mom, Dad, Grandma, his best friend's mom. All the number's where verizon so they were all free for him to call. At the time the kids always were playing together at the park and at the soccer field. My wife just thought it would be a good idea. I was on my second deployment. The phone had a D-ring on it. I could call him directly which he loved. For about the last year he has had one of my wife's old phone. I can honestly say he is usually very good with it. He hasn't ever lost a phone but he did drown one last summer. He got wet up to his waist but it was in his pocket. It doesn't get much use, but he know he can call one of his Grandmas or someone else in the family at anytime. He doesn't bring it to school or anything. Oh yeah we haven't had a house phone since like 2000? maybe 2001.

What should you do for your kid? I am not sure. Read all you can on the matter and find out for both sides of it before deciding.

[sodomanaz]

I say you get him a credit card first and see what happens.

[leasingthisspace]

I do have a question for all that are saying No, is the reason behind saying no to the phine the cost of it? I know we got my son's for free and most of the kids phones are cheap. For me to add a line it was $10 a month. I am just saying kids now are walking around with game systems and ipods worth a few 100 all the time.


Sorry for the threadjack.

[icehog3]

If you read through the posts Tabb, I think you will see cost isn't the issue at all for most of the dissenters.

[McSmokey]

I say no but in the end it depends on how responsible he is. For example my in-laws got their youngest son his first cell at 11 and now 2 years and 8 phones later they still haven't figured out the problem.

[Starscream]

I say no but in the end it depends on how responsible he is. For example my in-laws got their youngest son his first cell at 11 and now 2 years and 8 phones later they still haven't figured out the problem.

I think that is the problem.

[floydpink]

I had my first hooker at 10, but a cell phone? Not a chance.


:)

Wow Tom, you beat me by 3 years.

My older brother, before joining the police force, sold phones and I remember the first cel phones looked like something an Army medic carries on a battlefield. My dad took it out on the boat when he went fishing.

I'm old.

[replicant_argent]

A ten year old should pretty much be under adult supervision/contact pretty much most of the time, except for maybe playing in the neighborhood... No need for one. Why do people think 10 year olds need phones? If they want it for the "toy factor"? It might be time to teach them how to be a kid instead. Maybe a FRS family radio (walkie talkie) would be more useful, and quite a bit cheaper.
They will get more than enough cel time when they get to their teens, I think, and it seems like kids who are "over-connected" seem to be lacking some development that you get from just "being a kid." (Of course that's just my opinion. I could be wrong)

[E.J.]

Like Tabb, I will not vote, just give my experience. My son had his first cell phone around 11, not sure exactly when. He is now 13, feels like he has had a phone FOREVER. Almost every one of his friends have a phone(I would say every one, though that may not be accurate), though he was one of the first.

He has not had a problem as far as losing it, though has broken a few. When that has happened, he pays for a "crap phone" out of his own pocket(think he has been charged like $20) until his plan allows for an upgrade(that usually means he gets moms phone and she gets an upgrade).

In the end, does he need a phone....no. He also doesn't need $600 hockey skates...

[RevSmoke]

Two boys of my own, 13 & 15. Neither has a cell phone. Wife and I have them, and use them sparingly - no texting, no internet.

Don't know of many situations where they need a phone. The only times we've given them one of ours is when they will be at an event in which we will not be in attendance (evening basketball game in which they're not playin), and then only so that they can call us to come pick them up. And even at that, do they need one? Not really. There is always the pay phone and a calling card.

I work closely with the local Lutheran School, and most of the kids that do have their own cell phones are a different breed - not a breed I'd like to have living under my roof. It is the spoiled rotten breed. Usually disrespectful of their elders and very narcissistic.

Just say, "no."

Oldest son wanted one, I told him that if he pays for it, he can have one. Took him down to the store to get it. He filled out the paperwork, had the money for it, then they asked him, "Have one of your parents sign for it." He looked at me, I smiled, he turned to the salesperson, "Um, I guess I'm not getting a phone today."

We then talked about monthly bills, how much it costs for a phone. We even looked at what it would cost for him to have a phone on our bill. Then, we talked about texting - and how much that costs. We talked about two words - necessity/need and desire/want. Then we talked about the fact that this would be a monthly expense for him, I'm not going to pay for something he desires/wants, but doesn't "need." If he wants it, then he needs to pay for his share of the monthly expense. He agreed taht he didn't "need" that expense.

Most of the kids that have phones don't pay their bills for it, mom & dad do. They will have a rude awakening when mom & dad tell them to ante up.

He did look into a trak phone, that deal that you buy the phone and the minutes, when you run out, you buy more minutes. Then he thought about the fact that when he really "needs" to have a phone, we let him take one of ours.

My suggestion is that you be a parent. And sometimes, parents say, "no."

[Eleven]

In the end, does he need a phone....no. He also doesn't need $600 hockey skates...

Whoa! hold on a sec!, lets not get carried away! My kid has lost a cell phone, *and* broken a $160 hockey stick all within a week of each other.

The phone was an unforgivable lapse of judgment and he will wait a long time before getting a new one, but the stick was the result of him playing hard and trying hard and not screwing around and being irresponsible.

We haven't paid 600 for skates yet, but we have paid 350. The phone was cheap but that isn't the point.

I would gladly pay another $350 for new skates if something like a blade broke that couldn't be replaced. I am going to have to pay for a new stick, and will do that when regular season starts up (on a side note, he broke it in Spring Hockey, and is using backup sticks now).

But the phone, that was a privilege and he screwed it up. Hockey is a different story, you can't play AAA youth hockey with 30 dollar skates and a 10 dollar stick. The demands on the equipment and their bodies require high quality, otherwise you are buying several pairs of skates and 10 sticks a year, not to mention the hassle of all the distractions, blisters, crappy shots, etc etc.

Wow, what a tangent huh!?!??! Just trying to say that you cannot equate a cell phone for a kid with hockey equipment. You get what you pay for, and even worse, you can seriously hamper or even injure your kid with low quality skates or other equipment

:)

[St. Lou Stu]

Tell him if he can get and hold a job for 3 months you'll get him one.

[RGD.]

Well I'll chime in here. The question is not really does "a" ten year old need a cell phone - the question is does Andy's ten year old son need a cell phone. And really only Andy and his wife can answer that question.

Most of us here really don't know all the conditions and/or circumstances that go with their daily life.

When my oldest daughter was ten she was in band and several other activities. Did I give her a cell phone - yes I did. Did she carry it every day - no she did not. It was a pay as you go phone. She was given the phone only when she went out to a function (school, babysitting, etc) that we would not be attending and returned after she was home. Call it an emergency phone. Today's society is not like when I was a kid and we rode our bikes and played all over hell until dark without telling mom and dad where we were.

She didn't get a real phone until she was 15 - and her sister didn't get one until she was 16.

That's my take on it.


Ron

[RevSmoke]

Two boys of my own, 13 & 15. Neither has a cell phone. Wife and I have them, and use them sparingly - no texting, no internet.

Don't know of many situations where they need a phone. The only times we've given them one of ours is when they will be at an event in which we will not be in attendance (evening basketball game in which they're not playin), and then only so that they can call us to come pick them up. And even at that, do they need one? Not really. There is always the pay phone and a calling card.

I work closely with the local Lutheran School, and most of the kids that do have their own cell phones are a different breed - not a breed I'd like to have living under my roof. It is the spoiled rotten breed. Usually disrespectful of their elders and very narcissistic.

Just say, "no."

Oldest son wanted one, I told him that if he pays for it, he can have one. Took him down to the store to get it. He filled out the paperwork, had the money for it, then they asked him, "Have one of your parents sign for it." He looked at me, I smiled, he turned to the salesperson, "Um, I guess I'm not getting a phone today."

We then talked about monthly bills, how much it costs for a phone. We even looked at what it would cost for him to have a phone on our bill. Then, we talked about texting - and how much that costs. We talked about two words - necessity/need and desire/want. Then we talked about the fact that this would be a monthly expense for him, I'm not going to pay for something he desires/wants, but doesn't "need." If he wants it, then he needs to pay for his share of the monthly expense. He agreed taht he didn't "need" that expense.

Most of the kids that have phones don't pay their bills for it, mom & dad do. They will have a rude awakening when mom & dad tell them to ante up.

He did look into a trak phone, that deal that you buy the phone and the minutes, when you run out, you buy more minutes. Then he thought about the fact that when he really "needs" to have a phone, we let him take one of ours.

My suggestion is that you be a parent. And sometimes, parents say, "no."

By the way, it isn't the cost that is the problem. It is an issue of responsibility. And, the other question is purpose. Phones for kids have become a distraction. They don't go outside anymore for recreation. There is no face-to-face personal contact. Those are some of the other issues.

[E.J.]

Just trying to say that you cannot equate a cell phone for a kid with hockey equipment. You get what you pay for, and even worse, you can seriously hamper or even injure your kid with low quality skates or other equipment

:)

Not to hi-jack, but I can and did equate the cell phone and the skates....:r I am 100% confident that the Little Man would be just fine with $300 skates and $100 sticks, neither one would limit his ability to play the game or increase his chance for injury.....

He could also easily get by without a cell phone, but has one....

As long as I know he is a GREAT kid, he is, he will be fortunate.... If the time comes that I feel he does not appreciate what he has or the situation he is in, or does not deserve what has been afforded him.... He will cease to be in that situation....

[CigarNut]

When my kids were swimming regularly (competively) we got them restricted cell phones. Practices and meets were early in the morning and late in the evening and if something came up we wanted them to be able to reach us.

We made it clear what the phone was to be used for and what it was not for and for the most part the kids did the right thing.

We did not get smart phones, no camera, no Internet, no texting plan, etc. Just a basic flip phone. They could only text my wife and I. They did not get any other features until they were 16.

Also, if you just want something for emergencies you can get them any old cell phone and not get the service. As long as the phone is kept charged it can dial 911.

[T.G]

Also, if you just want something for emergencies you can get them any old cell phone and not get the service. As long as the phone is kept charged it can dial 911.


There is a caveat to that, and it is that the phone technology must still be supported by a carrier. Things like AMPS/TDMA phones which were still being sold as late as 2005-2006 as low cost entry phones all became paperweights in 2008 when all the carriers shut down those services due to the FCC no longer requiring the support of analog cellular transmission standards after February 2008.

In short, any old digital phone that can still get carrier service will work for a 911 call. If in doubt about the functionality of the handset in question, you should be able to test this by dialing 611 or 0 from the phone to connect to the carrier operator who will attempt to sell you service for the phone.

[captain53]

I voted yes as they do serve some good purposes besides b.s.ing with friends. I would get him a track phone or other prepaid system where he can't go over the limits with a minute limit for important calls only. Minutes serve sort of like an allowance and as I read from another post - No Text Service! Also allows you to check on him and he had better answer. Any screw-ups and it is gone. Those were the rules around my house and worked out pretty good but you know your family best.:2

[Mugen910]

My nephews didn't have a cell until they were 16-17 and that was prob a very good parenting move. They don't need a cell phone and if there is an emergency I'm sure one of their friends or someone in the area will have one.

[icehog3]

Well I'll chime in here. The question is not really does "a" ten year old need a cell phone - the question is does Andy's ten year old son need a cell phone. And really only Andy and his wife can answer that question.



Ron, I would think that if Andy and his wife felt their son "needed" a cell phone, they would have gotten him one....but Andy seems to be asking the question from the context of his son bringing it up, and "wanting" one. Your logic on this makes complete sense, if in fact it had been Andy or his wife's idea. :)

[catfish2]

I had my first hooker at 10, but a cell phone? Not a chance.


:)

The only thing that shocks me is that it took Tom that long. I would have guessed that by the age of ten he would have been well on his way to filling up a black book already.

[ucla695]

We got junior one at that age and are glad we did! Easier to keep tabs and arrange pickups and drop offs! A texting plan is a plus too!

Posted via Mobile Device

[catfish2]

We got junior one at that age and are glad we did! Easier to keep tabs and arrange pickups and drop offs! A texting plan is a plus too!

Posted via Mobile Device

I was reading this post and something just occurred to me. It seems to me that I heard some where that some cell phones location can be tracked on a PC like a GPS. Maybe I heard wrong, but that could be something to look into. Think of it as a safety issue if u want.

[T.G]

I was reading this post and something just occurred to me. It seems to me that I heard some where that some cell phones location can be tracked on a PC like a GPS. Maybe I heard wrong, but that could be something to look into. Think of it as a safety issue if u want.

You can with some phones. Others you can't.

(psst: I mentioned this in post #12)

[catfish2]

You can with some phones. Others you can't.

(psst: I mentioned this in post #12)

I did read it but I have a short memory. I guess that's why I like long cigars.
I did say that I heard it somewhere (maybe your post is where I heard it).

[T.G]

I did read it but I have a short memory. I guess that's why I like long cigars.
I did say that I heard it somewhere (maybe your post is where I heard it).

LOL.

I'm just flinging you crap bro, it was a good opportunity to do so since I was commenting on your post anyway. No big deal to me if someone reiterates something I already said.

[ucla695]

I was reading this post and something just occurred to me. It seems to me that I heard some where that some cell phones location can be tracked on a PC like a GPS. Maybe I heard wrong, but that could be something to look into. Think of it as a safety issue if u want.

Bingo!

[jkim05]

Well I'll chime in here. The question is not really does "a" ten year old need a cell phone - the question is does Andy's ten year old son need a cell phone. And really only Andy and his wife can answer that question.

Most of us here really don't know all the conditions and/or circumstances that go with their daily life.

When my oldest daughter was ten she was in band and several other activities. Did I give her a cell phone - yes I did. Did she carry it every day - no she did not. It was a pay as you go phone. She was given the phone only when she went out to a function (school, babysitting, etc) that we would not be attending and returned after she was home. Call it an emergency phone. Today's society is not like when I was a kid and we rode our bikes and played all over hell until dark without telling mom and dad where we were.

She didn't get a real phone until she was 15 - and her sister didn't get one until she was 16.

That's my take on it.


Ron

I agree with Ron, but I'll add that it's not just a question of need, but appropriateness. Maybe he doesn't need a phone, but what really matters is how appropriate is it for him to have a phone. I got my first phone when I was 13, and that was at a time when many adults still didn't have cell phones. It just made life easier for me and my parents. I never really used the phone much because in general I didn't really care for talking on the phone and this was before phones really had any games (I had snake because it was a nokia).

I see lots of 10 year olds with phones, so maybe I'm a bit numb to how outrageous it is, but it just doesn't seem as shocking to me as it seems for most of the people here. I would say find out why it is he wants a phone. If it's just to play games and stuff, get him an itouch or a gameboy. Also, I'd say ask your wife why she thinks it's so inappropriate. Maybe there's something she sees that you don't. I don't personally have a problem with it, but I don't know your son, so I can't honestly say whether I would give him a phone. My doing so would not be a consequence of his age, but rather his maturity, responsibilty and purpose of the phone.

[Brilliant]

I have seen it happen to my cousins depending on where you live you may socially cripple your child. I agree that 10 yrs old is too young but when your in school its all about keeping up with the jones

[acruce]

I agree with Ron, but I'll add that it's not just a question of need, but appropriateness. Maybe he doesn't need a phone, but what really matters is how appropriate is it for him to have a phone. I got my first phone when I was 13, and that was at a time when many adults still didn't have cell phones. It just made life easier for me and my parents. I never really used the phone much because in general I didn't really care for talking on the phone and this was before phones really had any games (I had snake because it was a nokia).

I see lots of 10 year olds with phones, so maybe I'm a bit numb to how outrageous it is, but it just doesn't seem as shocking to me as it seems for most of the people here. I would say find out why it is he wants a phone. If it's just to play games and stuff, get him an itouch or a gameboy. Also, I'd say ask your wife why she thinks it's so inappropriate. Maybe there's something she sees that you don't. I don't personally have a problem with it, but I don't know your son, so I can't honestly say whether I would give him a phone. My doing so would not be a consequence of his age, but rather his maturity, responsibility and purpose of the phone.

My wife feels it is to young to have a phone pus for the most part he doesn't stray to far from home. The reason he wants a phone is most of his close friends have them . I guess he feels a little left out. Like I said I don't really care one way or the other.If my wife doesn't think it's appropriate then I'm sure we will wait. Thanks for all the input.

[replicant_argent]

I have seen it happen to my cousins depending on where you live you may socially cripple your child. I agree that 10 yrs old is too young but when your in school its all about keeping up with the jones

Probably 95% of schools don't allow phones at school, period. Typically, the rule is, if the teachers see it, it goes to the principal. (From my lovely wife, 15 years as an elementary teacher). That being said, some may allow them in lockers, and turned off.
With kids, I tend to take the "all my friends have them" is sometimes equal to "but 3 or 5 of my 20 friends have them."

[Wanger]

What good can come from a 10 y/o with a phone? None that I can think of. We don't permit our kids to have a phone until they're 16. And even then, I'm not sure it's a real good thing.

Same rule as in our house. Thery won't get them until they're 16, and they will be paying for it themselves with monet from their job. The We'd only pay for it if they're in after school sports, and will need us to come get them. That would include a very limited calling only service. No reason for a kid to have one, IMO. They should be with parents or reachable by a parent's (either theirs or a friends parent) phone at that age anyways.

[Eagle53]

At what age do you want him to start raking in ass? If its on the younger side then get the phone ;)