What's your opinion on cell phones for children?

pregoego · April 2010

My step-son (age 10) has been hounding us for a cell phone for months already. We are totally against him having one just for the fact that he doesn't need it. Honestly, I know some people think they are great for when their child needs to reach them....but do they REALLY need them? He said all his friends have them and he's the only one. Do kids this age really have cell phones? And do the parents foot the bill for this? I'm interested to hear peoples opinions on this and what age their child is. I think it also might make a difference what area you live in also. For the record, we live in a very rural area and he goes to an elementary school with about 25 kids in his class. He also doesn't have the option to walk home. Let me know what everyone thinks.

firefightersgal · April 2010

I'm a sub teacher in grades K-12. I've seen a kindergartener with a cell phone. I'd guess that at least half of the 10 year olds (in our rural, small school) have them. Obviously, they don't *need* them. We didn't have them and were just fine. They are quite convenient for keeping tabs on the kiddos, though, from a parent's perspective. Surprisingly, cell phones aren't much of a problem in the schools. They know that if they are out, the teacher takes them immediately.

winery · April 2010

Off the bat, I would say no, but that's because I only have a 3.5 year old.

I've seen kids those ages with cells and I think "no way will I let my kids have one that young!", but to be honest, if they need one so I can find them, then they get one. As much as it pains me.

Also, if all of their friends have one, they get one, because I think it's important for them to fit in to an extent with their social group.

I'd ask the other parents in your area what they do and talk about it with your husband and your son. And go from there.

REOM · April 2010

Well, I teach 2nd grade, and several kids have them. They aren't allowed to keep them in class, and I have to store them and give them out at the end of the day- very annoying!

Most of them are the kind that have a few preprogrammed numbers.

In principle, I would say that kids don't need cell phones, but I know that I would love being able to talk to my child whenever I needed to talk to them. And if I give them a phone, they *better* answer when I call!

Marchmamma · April 2010

I think 10 is too young. If he really *needs* one, find one that you can only program a certain amount of numbers into and have it prepaid.

Bellisimo · April 2010

The norm around here is age 10. And that's just for a basic phone (no internet)...maybe even prepaid minutes type of deal.

littlemermaid · May 2010

Just because everyone else has one does not mean they need one to fit in. What a horrible lesson you are teaching a child if that's the philosophy you live by. You have to look at your child and only your child. What is the purpose of him having this phone. Is he ever at his after school activities alone? Does he walk home from school? Do both you and your husband work and your child is left alone for any period of time(I'm hoping at 10y.o. he's not alone) or does he go to an afterschool care program? These are the factors you have to look at. They don't need a phone, just to look "cool." We have to teach our children from a very young age the difference between wants and needs. This is the foundation of teaching them financial responsibility too. My child is almost 10 and the only children in his class that have cell phones are children that are in a lot of after school sports or go to "latch key" because their parents both work.

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