My hubby and I are at odds over our kids cell phones...I think our 13 year old should not have one but he thinks she should "since everyone else does"...what do you think?
by 
MIA
ANSWERS: 9
-
Get him one. Just give him a credit limit that, if he goes over it, he has to pay. What's the worst that could happen? You have to let teenage kids have some degree of independance or they become hateful pricks later in life.
-
Get your kids the phone!! I have a 16 year old and a 13 year old. It is so convenient to be able to check in on them whenever, wherever...... You will love it! I can call my kids to check up on them or find out when track practice is over, etc. It is also a great threat for punishment! Didn't clean their bedroom? Take the phone until its done! The bedroom will be spic and span before you can finish cooking dinner!!
-
I think that she should be allowed one (if in the family budget) as long as she maintains her grades and assumes responsibility with it. For instance, you should tell her that you can take it from her at any time if she makes poor decisions. This will help her learn responsibility! Also, if she racks up a huge bill with texts/pics tell her she will have to pay for it when she gets older. That'll suck! :p
-
Is your child a responsible person? my thirteen year old granddaughter was not. she sent text messages to everyone, including the easter rabbit. the bill was enormous. she then moved to Seattle and wanted to take the cellphone with her. i quickly said no, that i was not allowing a thirteen year old girl take a cellphone to Seattle. why? i had no control of her useage, especially 3.000 miles away. I say this. start with a phone card connected to a cellphone and judge her responsibility for 30 days. if she runs out of minutes, then so be it. if she uses her cellphone wisely, i would consider another 30 day trial period with a real cellphone. They have to start somewhere.
-
I agree with the other three answers, but I also think it's important to stress that "since everyone else does" is a poor reason to get a 13 year old a cell phone - or anything else.
-
Get them a pay-as-you go phone. Pay for the first month as a gift and make the kid responsible for the rest. If the kid complains that other kids don't have to do this, just say "let's see how it goes for a while and maybe we'll change our minds later."
-
In case of an emergency it would be good to have one. But I'm not comfortable either with a 12-year-old chatting on a cell phone all the time. Limits should be set.
-
Didn't have them when I was a kid..I turned out fine... I think. If all the other kids jumped off a bridge...... Sorry had to say it.
-
I have a 16 yo and a 12 yo both my kids do things after school . They have been responsible with their phones and have them when they need mom for rides and etc. I got rid of the land line much simplier to have cell phones good luck in your decision ask yourselves can I trust my children?
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC