Comments on: Does your child have a cell phone?

By: Bayley

Bayley — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 19:23:47 +0000

I am 12 and got my cell phone when I was in 4th grade, so I was about nine. My parents are divorsed so it helped me alot, and it was a great way for me to communicate with my friends.I lost it once in the last two or three years (sence I’ve had it)but luckily we’ve had insurence on it. I think it is a good idea to get your child a phone aorund age ten.

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 18:02:08 +0000

I am a very big supporter of children having their own cell phone. If used with control & responsibility by the parents. My son has had a phone for 3yrs, since he was 7yrs old. I was resistant to the idea, but after 2 frantic incidences: 1 – he fell asleep on the bus and the bus drivers claimed he had gotten off at another stop only to realize that he was still on the bus!! 2 – we got separated in a store, I thought he was with his older brothers and they thought he was with me. He was able to call me and I located him quickly. With his phone, he can only call or receive calls from those numbers that I have programmed with a PIN code. And for just an extra $20/month, he has a GPS ‘Chaperone’ program that allows me to program zones and if he enters or leaves those zones me and my sister receive text messages. I can also find where he is located within a certain mile radius. Also he can call/text with his Dad or stepbrothers without me as a go-between. I think gives them more of a sense of independence.

By: Amalia

Amalia — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 00:01:04 +0000

Most cell phone plans are so expensive that I decided to get my child a Tracfone prepaid phone plan. They have a variety of really simple to really intricate phones, so I just got my two daughters (9 and 10) the simplest phone. It was just $10, and I got their simplest plan, also for $10. In total, I pay $20 per month and I always know where my kids are. The peace of mind is excellent.

By: chai_girl

chai_girl — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 17:16:50 +0000

My daughter got a cell phone in 4th grade when my father passed away with two years left on the plan. Apparently you can’t get out of a cell phone contract even by dying. Since we had to pay for it anyway, we gave it to her. She has been fairly responsible. We also don’t have a house phone so she needs it for safety reasons. It also makes it easier when things happen after school so she can take advantage of spontaneous happenings – like a friend’s mom offers to take her to the mall or to go to a friend’s house or something. She walks home from school and half of the walk is after her other friends have dropped off at their houses. One time someone did pull up and offer to give her a ride. She did all the right things and said no, ran to a nearby house, and hid on the doorstep and called me. I talked to her the rest of the way home. The person offering a ride could have been innocently offering a ride…or maybe not. I’m glad she had her cell phone to call.

I was a teacher for 8 years. There is always an issue with something. Enforcement is the key. If the kids know they will lose their phones if they are used in class, they will stop using them. Parents have to pay a $25 fine to retrieve cell phones that are picked up in school which helps keep the parents from instigating the behavior. However, the teachers are the first to tell the kids to call their parents when they reach a certain point on field trips so the parents can be there to pick them up. If play rehearsal runs late, I don’t have to worry about why she isn’t home. She can call me or I can call her.

By: Kari

Kari — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:41:10 +0000

@ Anna, the point of having one is so your child who is coming home by his/herself can contact you in an emergency.

Our child spends a couple of hours alone after school. There is no house phone in either home and the cell phone was a cheaper option (like I stated in a previous comment).

Our school bus system leaves a lot to be desired. Often times our child is not home when she should be because of the bus, she may still be waiting at the school or somewhere in between. She is to call me when she gets home, if she doesn’t then I don’t know if she is caught on the bus, at the school, or something happened. She knows to call if something with the bu is going on. Hence the reason to bring it to school.

The kids know the rules, the parents know the rules having it in class has consequences if my child has it in class she’ll not only face the consequences at school she’ll face them at home as well.

I clearly remember the same rules applied to me as they do to my child in regards to calling when I got home from school when I was her age and coming home alone.

I have a teacher for a mother, other family members, and close friends. I understand the frustration but I’m sorry I’m not paying more money out of my pocket for not one but two land lines (one for ex’s and one for my house, ex refuses to have a landline) just because some kids and parents can’t follow the school rules and the schools don’t follow their own enforcement rules.

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By: Anna

Anna — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 19:44:34 +0000

@Christa: We have that rule at our school, too. Yet we have issues with them daily. (And if they have to be turned odd and in the locker, what’s the point of having one?)

By: Christa

Christa — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 05:12:26 +0000

I got one for my son three years ago. He is now 13. And like the others it was more for my peace of mind than his. He was riding the school bus then and with so many things going on I wanted to know that he could reach me whenever he needed to. At school it is a rule that it has to be turned off and in his locker or they will take it up. So no issues there. And we both feel much better with him having it.

By: Solo-Dad

Solo-Dad — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 23:05:50 +0000

I had my doubts at first, but obtained a phone for LE when he was in 6th grade. Two years later, it's my life-line to him. I agree with Rachel, it's more for my peace of mind than his. Solo-Dad’s last blog post..Solo-Dad Gear @ CafePress

By: Anna

Anna — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 17:56:45 +0000

From a teacher’s point of view, they are a nightmare. And the parents are part of the problem. I actually had 2 8th grade boys texting their moms back and forth during a choir concert while they were on the risers in front of the audience! Sometimes I fill in for the AP, and kids are constantly texting eachother in class, and parents are texting them, too. Personally, I don’t see the need until they can drive.

By: April

April — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:42:31 +0000

Like Rachel, I got my oldest a cell phone when she was being picked up by her after school program after there was trouble one day and I had to leave work early to go get her. I don't think a cell phone provides independence or enables dependence by itself. It's a tool that can help parent and child communicate effectively, but just like anything else, it's up to the parents to provide the right tools to the kids for proper use. April’s last blog post..Late Weekend Wrap-Up