Cell Phones: How young is TOO young?

[kaymart]

I have not had a kid in regular H.S. since 2003, but they were not allowed to have them turned on, and must remain in bookbags, purses or lockers. With my daughter and sister, they graduated in 1996, cell phones, beeper ect, we forbibben to be in their possesion at any time. Since 9/11 they let up on the rules.

 

[Karin]

kaymart:

I have not had a kid in regular H.S. since 2003, but they were not allowed to have them turned on, and must remain in bookbags, purses or lockers. With my daughter and sister, they graduated in 1996, cell phones, beeper ect, we forbibben to be in their possesion at any time. Since 9/11 they let up on the rules.

My sons school allows the kids to have them (cell phones) but during school in the buildings they stay in the locker or book bag turned off…can be used at lunch outside or after school.
many kids have already have phones taken away for the year becuase they did not follow the rules.

 

[KCT]

I think it depends on the reason. (Our kids got them when they started driving.)

When my daughter was at girl’s club camp last summer, one of the moms who was helping out was complaining about so many girls having phones. She felt it created a false sense of fear. If the parents of the campers had a general contact number, why is it so important that the girl have a phone? If there’s a problem, the person in charge can make or receieve a call. She felt the girls had an exaggerated sense of fear – fear of having an emergency, fear that their parents couldn’t contact them, fear that the adults at camp might not be able to help.

It was an interesting perspective. --KCT

 

[KCT]

Katie1723:

Unfortunately, I think cell phones are teaching our children how not to talk face to face. ~ Kathy ~

That reminds me of a story I heard or read (perhaps here!) about a room full of teens at a party. They were all milling around talking on cell phones; they were not talking to the other people at the party.

—KCT

 

[Catholic90]

We got our 13 year old one last year. He is on our family plan and we have strict rules. He can only call home, mom’s cell, or dad’s cell. He has it more so WE can call HIM! It’s great when we drop him off at a football game and he can call us when there is 5 minutes left so we can come pick him up. Or he wants to stay after school to work on a project. Or practice is done an hour earlier than expected. It’s been wonderful.

 

[MonicaPA]

Catholic90:

We got our 13 year old one last year. He is on our family plan and we have strict rules. He can only call home, mom’s cell, or dad’s cell. He has it more so WE can call HIM! It’s great when we drop him off at a football game and he can call us when there is 5 minutes left so we can come pick him up. Or he wants to stay after school to work on a project. Or practice is done an hour earlier than expected. It’s been wonderful.

Your situation sounds exactly like our family. My son has had a cell phone for a year, he is now 13yo. We got the phone for free through a 2 for 1 plan & it has been a great convenience.

I initially got it for safety reasons & because my son is involved in several extra-curricular activities outside of school. He has never once abused the privelege & understands what it is intended for (emergencies & calls to home). He totaled 14 minutes for his last month’s usage, I check it regularly.

It’s been a good thing thing for us.

God Bless,
Monica

 

[Zooey]

I think that I want:yup: Edwin to make up the :yup: rules for who gets a cell phone & when.
(I had never heard of the ones that you can only call a few set numbers, but they sound like a good idea to me).

 

[Karin]

Zooey:

I think that I want:yup: Edwin to make up the :yup: rules for who gets a cell phone & when.
(I had never heard of the ones that you can only call a few set numbers, but they sound like a good idea to me).

I was sent the link to them…Target sells them and they are a bit pricey $99 and calls are 25cents /minute.

 

[thann]

The answer to this question depends on the child and the parents – there is not one “right” answer.

My son, age 15, has a cell phone because his school is 30 miles from home, and it has no pay phone. His phone is on the family plan, and I monitor all calls. His school’s policy is no phone use in school; before or after is OK. (Phones must be OFF during the school day.)

Teddy used to have a “pay as you go” phone, but he uses it so rarely that his minutes would expire before he used them.

'thann

 

[Jaded27]

bogeyjlg:

I am 21 and I don’t have a cell phone. No highschooler needs one.

Until they are driving. All sorts of horrid things can happen when you are driving. 15 or 16 is an appropriate age as long as the bill (and therfore the calls) are monitored by parents.

 

[Edwin1961]

LSK:

and just for the record…yes you do have a family Edwin, and if you EVER say that again…you’re grounded:tsktsk:

I’m sorry…