Double-Digit Children, Part 1: The Great Cell Phone Debate

I don'tunderstand what the big issue is about giving your child a cell phone today. It's not like it is an expensive luxury item any more. Most service providers offer free phones and free minutes on a family plan. I work for a technology firm so maybe I have a differnt view. In not the too distant future, our cell phone #s will be our unique mobile identifiers. If you can get in touch with your child no matter where they are, then there is no down side. I travel a lot for work and can get in touch with my daughter (and her with me) any time, day or night. My daughter is now 11. She has had a cell phone since she was 10. She does not talk for hours with her friends but I will say that they borrow her phone quite often to call their Moms who will not get them a cell phone. She does call me when something really exciting or something troubling has happened to her. We have a great relationship.

What is wrong with staying in touch and not being tied down to your antique home phone? Who is ever home anymore? Communication is the key to raising happy, healthy children.

I have to agree with Sandy's comment. My 14 year old now has a cell phone. She stays after school for different functions/activities/practices, and the cell phone has come in handy when things get cancelled or run late. What made us get the phone? A traffic accident delayed my wife one day, and our poor daughter was worried about us. Peace of mind. I'll agree we are probably fortunate parents - she doesn't abuse the minutes either. For those who worry about that, I think the prepaid idea is a good one.

There's a world of difference between a pre-teen and a high school student though. My 11 year old step son HATES talking on the phone to anyone -- conversations with family are limited to brief back and forth where he'll rarely say more than one word at a time. Conversations with friends are limited to "Can you play? Yes/no? Ok, bye/I'll be over in a minute." And yet the subject of "When am I getting a cell phone" comes up at least once a week.

The main reason he wants is because he sees cool commercials on TV that tell him he SHOULD want one, and because friends whose parents have checked out on doing their jobs will let their kids roam around anywhere without being supervised. He's already got 2 gadgets to play video games on when he's in the car (which is right now the main reason he'll ask to use mine or his mom's cell.) When he gets old enough to start going places by himself, or has starts having afterschool activities that may not have defined starting/ending times, then he'll have a real need for a mobile phone. Right now, it's just a desire created by slick marketing and the desire for new toys to make him feel "cool."

hi i like cell phones

As someone else pointed out, there is a HUGE difference between a middle-schooler and a high-schooler. I bought my son a cell phone around the age of 12 and enjoyed being able to reach him anytime/anywhere. If I was running late or stuck in traffic, a simple text message to his phone let him know not to worry.

However... all that changed when he turned 15. The cell phone became a device for deceit and we've had many arguments over it. He's currently grounded from it. Even though my child was raised with (I thought) a very strict moral code, having a cell phone implies a freedom that should not belong to a 15-year-old. I completely agree with the advice posted that the phone should be handed over when they walk in the door... and do this from day one. Don't wait until there's a problem! So many teens text and/or call during school hours and in the middle of the night. I really wish I could apply parental controls to his cell phone use as easily as I can satellite television and VoiP home phone service.

My husband and I gave a cell phone to his daughter. She was on it night and day and we told her about it and took it away for a while. Her Mom even took it from her and still the daughter did not care.
After I saw that she used up our on peek minutes we turned off her phone. We decided to keep her phone off til our contract is up than delete the phone from our package.
She is almost 17yrs old, doesn't work and only contacts her father when she needs money or to pay for something her mom doesn't want to pay for.
I told him from the start, if she want a cell phone tell her to get a job and pay for it herself.
Irresonsible children should not have cell phones.

I am a 11 year old girl! My mom doesn't want me to have a cell phone! She says "Who going to pay the bill?" I always say she will! I am going to 6th grade and I might be doing sports after school. Do you guys think it's a good idea to get my mom to get me a cell phone?

I am already 14 going on 15 next month. I have two older sisters who are 21 and 17. My parents' policy has always been 'you get a cell phone at 16' but i really dont think that is a good idea because i am in sports. I am in highschool and i need more of a way to get ahold of my parents when i dont have a phone around. I don't know how to get them to agree to getting me one but i would really appreciate it if there were any ideas!

I am 11 years old and I think I should have a cell phone. My mom always says she will "THINK ABOUT IT." I need one because I ride my bikes by myself to friends houses or other places out of the neighborhood. I have had a few emergencies where I have needed a cell phone. Kids in A Double-Digit age/Teens SHOULD have a CELL PHONE!!!!!!!!

I'm a 10 year old. I've repeatedly asked my parents to buy me a cellphone from verizon wireless, everyone in my family has that type. My mom said wait 'till you turn 13, but I can't wait that long. I'm a bright girl as in smart I went to every math competition. One time I came home late I had to borrow friends and adults cellphones just to call my parents. I have cheerleading practices I have to borrow other cheerleaders cellphones. How lame would I be if I go to the 5th grade and everybody in my class have cellphones and I might make a new friend and she says her go my cellphone number what's your number. NOW! ASK WHY I NEED A CELLPHONE I NEED MY PRIVACY WHEN IM ON THE PHONE.

I am a 11 year old and I want a cell phone for many reasons
One night at our beach house I went on the boardwalk such is crouded and big my mom and dad didn't come with me only my twin brother did my mom let me use her cell phone.it handy to have
I was able to call her to tell her were ok and if u want I meet up with us. It was good to have encase of a emergency .Though my mom and dad both think that I shouldn't have a cell phone because
I don't need one but I many people at my age and grade that have one.when I am alone or with adults I believe I should have one when I am alone or with out adults. Basically for minimum purpose.start out with no testing small amount of minutes then as I get older I can have texting and more minutes I think that is very reasonable

ya i think a 11 year old should have a cell especially if they are away from home a lot. But it is up to the parents to decide if they think you are ready for a cell.