Remember when we didn't have cell phones? We just told our children to be at a certain place at a certain time and picked them up. Or God forbid the child actually used a land line phone. Advertising doesn't help either. Have you seen all the cell phones out there strictly for kids? They have the Disney Phone, Firefly, Tictalk,and Verizon even has one the Migo, and they are designed just for kids. Now I do understand that parents want their kids safe and I believe that is why some parents supply the phones. But seriously if your child is in danger how likely is it he/she will be able to use that phone anyhow? So please comment on this I want people's opinions. I want to know what parents think. Don't hate me for my opinion, remember everyone is entitled to their own.....
7 comments:
You think with all the technology they can catch that creep that sends those "Jenny" messages. I do not think a child under 16 should have a phone and if they are immature not until they are adults. There are other ways to contact your child. If he/she is in school, call the office and get a message to them! Friends house? Landline! Good post Ellie.
Hey Ellie! I thought I'd give you my 2cents on the cell phone subject. Excuse my grammar and spelling please.
At around 7 or 8 my son had the firefly phone, we didn't purchase the phone, it came from a buzz review. Here's the problem, the phone was JUNK! I didn't let him carry the phone around, he had it for when we went somewhere that somehow he could have gotten away from us by accident. Well, it happened one day when my husband took him to a wrestling event at the civic center in CA. OMG, how terrifying!!
Anyways, he got separated from my husband during a bathroom trip, this place was packed to the rooftops with people. My son tried calling my husband on his cell and you couldn't hear anything and then it would cut out. Thank goodness my sister in law worked there and my son found her so that she could help my husband and my son reuinite.
Point is, I think that having a cell phone in these situations can be a great idea. However, after the firefly issue, we decided against using them until later on. Now, my son is almost 12 and received one last year for his birthday. It was prepaid (Net10) but, we couldn't afford to buy the minutes for his and both of ours too so it's going to be awhile before he gets another.
Should a 6 year old have a phone? Hmmm, maybe in certain situations but, not to carry around. I totally agree with that one. As for a landline, I have one but, its for dial up internet so my kids use my cell phone to call people (Family) and it's prepaid so they are very limited to calling. Not everyone has a landline anymore, seems like the thing of the past I suppose.
It all depends on maturity, situations and the parents in my opinion.
Sorry for the long winded post! I hope I made sense.
One more thing, I think parental controls on a cell phone are a MUST if given to a minor.
Excellent. Thanks for your opinion ladies. Keep them coming. You had some good points Michele, I forgot about people not having land line phones much anymore. The way you let your son use a cell phone is not bad at all, but I don't think a child should just be handed a phone.
My children have the firefly phone and they are 4 and 5 years old. Here's why: We live in the heart of a very busy city and if we were ever separated, I'd want someone to be able to reach me right away. Even if they are lost and can call and describe what they see around them. We put them in their backpacks when we go out... but they never use them otherwise. Honestly, I will do what I need to do to gain peace of mind.
Happy Birthday
Good question. I have a 9-year-old, and a cell phone isn't even on our radar yet.
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