s/o Teenage parenting

FancyFrenchie · January 2012

When are you going to let your teenager (pre-teen/child) have a cell phone?

I remember getting mine at 18, but since then, I've seen 5-8 year olds with cell phones!

Thankful1121 · January 2012

When she turns 16...maybe freshmen year of high school. But not a day before high school.

mrsjengle · January 2012

I would like to believe that I will be that parent who won't let her children have phones until they can pay for them, but honestly, I guess it depends on how they are with respecting valuables and whether or not it's mainly for texting or for us getting in contact with them.

rocknmum · January 2012

My brother got his first cell phone, which was a Tracfone, at 7. He is really active, races dirt bikes, and goes all kinds of places with friends so they wanted him to have it and I don't blame them. I will probably do the same depending on how it goes when they get older.

scoutkate · January 2012

Since landlines are becoming obsolete, I can see myself giving her a cell (nothing fancy) at a young age. I want her to be able to get in touch with me whenever/wherever, and vice versa.

And by young I mean elementary school aged.

Smootchy · January 2012

It's hard to say with LO being not even 2 years old... Yeah, I didn't get a cell phone till 16-18 years old.... but they also weren't really an option before that or really that popular. I had a pager when I was in 6th or 7th grade.

Who knows by the time LO is "teenage" the school could hand them out with ipads... (sorta kidding)

My first thought is that LO will not have a phone till he is at least a "teen" like 13 or 15. But we don't have a house phone, only use our cells. So it was a thought to get an extra cell phone that is the "house cell" and that would be his phone if for some reason it's needed. Although now with a second child on the way... I'm sure we'll just get a land line and call it a day.

iheartsippycups · January 2012

Once he is driving he will get a cell phone. Before that, there is no need.

PrincessFiona9 · January 2012

I got mine the summer before I started high school. My sister got hers when she was in like 5th grade.

I guess once she's old enough to take care of things properly and if she's enrolled in activities and such that would make it necessary, then I would give her a phone. No earlier than middle school though.

TBLilyRose · January 2012

Probably high school. Maybe middle school with a pre-programmed phone. Anytime before that I don't think my child should be somewhere where there isn't an adult with them.

KJmashup · January 2012

I'm sure DS will get one when he's school aged and becoming more involved in activities outside of the home and in my absence. I'll feel comfortable that there's a way for he and I and to communicate when he's not with me.

Besides, DH and I are total technophiles and gadget geeks, and I wouldn't be surprised if DS is the same way. There are worse things for him to be interested in, I suppose.

greengirl0909 · January 2012

We'll decide based upon how much time LO spends away from us. We also dont' have a landline phone, so we may get a "house" phone that kiddo would be allowed to take from time to time. If I run to the grocery store I want my kid to be able to get ahold of me.

Like PPs have said, there are situations that merit phones. When I was a kid, payphones were available and you could ask to use a businesses phone and they would let you. I can remember friends calling home from the YMCA to say they needed a ride. Now, the Y won't let you use their phones at all, and the pay phone was removed.

When the phone does come, we'll have it charge overnight in a common room, not the kiddo's bedroom. I'm amazed at the kids who come to school and talk about texting at 2 in the morning. Likewise, all content will be open for discussion. As long as I pay for the phone, I reserve the right to see texts/pictures/call history.

Kitiara5512 · January 2012

As a kid he will get the kind of cell phone where he can get calls, but can only make calls to four numbers plus 911. As a teen, we will see about expanding, but the cell phone would not be allowed in class rooms, as other than emergencies, there is no reason for a kid to receive a call during school hours and emergencies would be called in to the admin office.

epopp85 · January 2012

When they start going places without me. Such as: going to the movies with friends alone, or if they are in extra curricular activies and will be without us. Basically when they are going to be someplace that I will need to pick them up and find them from. Otherwise, probably around 14 or 15.

BeachBum73 · January 2012

It depends on what activities they are involved in and if I find it necessary. I could see my 12 or 13 year old having one that can call either me or my husband but I don't see full access to texting and such until high school.

I'm old and didn't have a cell phone until I was in my 20's but it sort of reminds me of when you were able to get your own house phone in your room. Those people were so cool

BeachBum73 · January 2012

justbeachy109:
DD#1 is 11 and has a cell phone.
She started middle school this year and takes the bus home. I am not home from work when she gets off of the bus, so I like that she has it on her while walking home.
She also spends a lot of time at the dance studio or with her friends and I like knowing that there is a direct connection between us.
She doesn't have a smart phone or anything. Just a free basic phone we got when we added her line.

I would probably do the same thing - I think it's a smart move! And it's a good reminder to everyone that you really don't know until you get to that age. There wasn't a "need" for cell phones when I was growing up in the 80s but they are generally accepted and I would even say necessary these days because of a lack of pay phones, both parents working and the number of activities kids are involved in.

BeachBum73 · January 2012

EllaHella:
BeachBum73:

It depends on what activities they are involved in and if I find it necessary. I could see my 12 or 13 year old having one that can call either me or my husband but I don't see full access to texting and such until high school.

I'm old and didn't have a cell phone until I was in my 20's but it sort of reminds me of when you were able to get your own house phone in your room. Those people were so cool

Yea. Some of these responses just serve as a reminder of how ancient I apparently am. Rotary phones, people. I had them.

I loved the rotary phones. It was always so fun when someone 0's or 9's in their number

RedWingsFan · January 2012

EllaHella:
BeachBum73:

It depends on what activities they are involved in and if I find it necessary. I could see my 12 or 13 year old having one that can call either me or my husband but I don't see full access to texting and such until high school.

I'm old and didn't have a cell phone until I was in my 20's but it sort of reminds me of when you were able to get your own house phone in your room. Those people were so cool

Yea. Some of these responses just serve as a reminder of how ancient I apparently am. Rotary phones, people. I had them.

Word. I am probably dating myself, but pagers were popular when I was 16/17, and I didn't have a cell phone until I was 21 and a senior in college. It was one of those Nokia phones that had the interchangeable face plates and mine was baby blue. It had an antenna that stuck out, no texting and no color.

I am old.

zeptattoo · January 2012

Honestly, I am not too sure b/c most of our public phones are gone now. So, it might be earlier than I think.

Jillibean85 · January 2012

Depends on the kid, for sure... I like the idea of the pre-programmed ones, and I'm not sure texting will be necessary to have on it.

I know i worked with a woman whose 8 year old had a cell phone and she TEXTED her Mom to ask her how to open an umbrella. =|

Mt2G1012 · January 2012

I think life when our kids are teenagers is very different than when we were. Technology is part of ours and future generations, whether for good or bad. I think it is a little silly to say they won't have one until they are a teen. I wouldn't buy my kid some fancy high tech phone but I will be getting a simple (whatever simple is by then and they can buy something better if they want it) phone to use when they are spending time away from me. So school activities, friend's houses, etc. I think having a cell phone is a good thing. It means I can always get in touch with my kid, whenever, wherever and not have to worry about them as much like I'm sure my parents did. If I had to put an age, I'd guess around 5th or 6th grade they'd get one, but who knows. Cell phones aren't the devil.

Kitiara5512 · January 2012

justbeachy109:

Kitiara5512:
As a kid he will get the kind of cell phone where he can get calls, but can only make calls to four numbers plus 911. As a teen, we will see about expanding, but the cell phone would not be allowed in class rooms, as other than emergencies, there is no reason for a kid to receive a call during school hours and emergencies would be called in to the admin office.

Are you planning on picking up your child from school?

DD has her phone in her backpack during school hours, but it is off and she doesn't use it.

Most likely, either I or my mother will, based on what our work hours are at that time. As a former sub, I do not appreciate the disruptions that occur, or the lack of attentiveness in class, that can go along with having a cell phone in class. I would be good with the having it off during school hours, since in elementary school they dont have lockers.

BelhurstBride · January 2012

I got one when I got my drivers license and starting working past dark. I grew up in the country and my parents were afraid if something happened on my drive home from work no one would find me until morning. Back then it was just a pay as you go plan, though.

I don't know when we'll get one for DD. I'd like to say high school, at minimum. DH's nieces got one for Christmas the year she was 8. I'm sure as sh!t that that isn't happening in this house!

mocklerja · January 2012

RedWingsFan:
EllaHella:
BeachBum73:

It depends on what activities they are involved in and if I find it necessary. I could see my 12 or 13 year old having one that can call either me or my husband but I don't see full access to texting and such until high school.

I'm old and didn't have a cell phone until I was in my 20's but it sort of reminds me of when you were able to get your own house phone in your room. Those people were so cool

Yea. Some of these responses just serve as a reminder of how ancient I apparently am. Rotary phones, people. I had them.

Word. I am probably dating myself, but pagers were popular when I was 16/17, and I didn't have a cell phone until I was 21 and a senior in college. It was one of those Nokia phones that had the interchangeable face plates and mine was baby blue. It had an antenna that stuck out, no texting and no color.

I am old.

My parents saved one of their rotary phones and use it when the power goes out. It has come in handy a few times.

I did not get my first cell phone until college and that was because I got a car, so my parents wouldn't have to drive to pick my up for every holiday. It seriously had about 5 mintues per month. Emergency only.

katcarls · January 2012

I know things can change, but right now I'm thinking middle school when he has activities, sports, etc. I would consider doing it sooner if we need it but the phone would have limited numbers and features.

Hesterlicious · January 2012

I hate to burst the bubble to all the "No need for it until they are 16" but almost every single 12 year old around here has a cell phone. A few even have smart phones. I am pretty sure in 10 to 12 years it will be normal for kids to have a cell phone.

That being said, DS has 2 blackberries but none can dial out, which is good because he put people on speed dial and made calls on my phone before I got a new one and gave it to him. One is mine with a busted phone speaker and the other was my sisters very old one. We play with the music and the camera. We will get him a regular cell one I decide he needs to be able to get a hold of me from other places and that will all depend on our activites at the time. I am guessing between 8 and 12 is when it will happen but who knows.

I saw someone use a payphone a few weeks ago!

DreadLoc · January 2012

There are both advantages and disadvantages for kids to be carrying them and as of right now I don't have an issue with an elementary school age kid having one for emergency use.

kyoto · January 2012

It depends on what activities she's involved in when she's around 12/13/14. If she's in a lot of after school things, then yes, because I want her to be able to contact us. If not, then most definitely when she is 16 and driving.

Jake's Mom · January 2012

My daughter had one in 3rd grade. She couldn't keep it on much less charged. She is in 7th now, doesn't have one and hasn't asked another one.

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