These guys seem fishy. I'd only buy from reputable retailers. Check out phone-fanatic.com They aggregate prices and deals from the best retailers and still find very affordable prices.
K9 web filter, K9webfilter, K9webfilter
can't say it enough for teens with smart phones.
http://www1.k9webprotection.com/
Associated Apps: K9 Web Protection Browser
I disagree. For constant contact, there is no reason for them not to have a phone. You can get a $10 a month plan with less than 200 minutes and you'll always be able to talk or text your kid.
Really? Is $10 a month worth it to be able to always talk to your kid yet expose them to all kinds of horrible internet blogs? You need to restrict their access. Kids are internet savvy and curious. There are all kinds of sexual and sadistic people out there. Please restrict their ability to blog and check out blogs..I'm speaking from experience. And, it has been a scary one. Kids trust anybody...
Dont' be stupid..have you looked at the blogs available out there? Limit their access..and do it quickly. I'm speaking from experience.
@pfulltn...
Please see my post below concerning my 11 year old. Start protecting them early from a lot of things they can do to themselves as she took a class afterschool called "Internet Explorers". I am very computer savvy and work hard at controlling all of my kids’ accesses. Also it is in my divorce papers that I will provide a cell phone for her! The best thing I can say is to anyone who does not know anything about the internet, cell phones....get educated because the kids are getting trained earlier and earlier to use technology...we must all learn so we may protect everyone.
I must say that I do not blog and know little about it but I only allow certain websites on my kids’ profile! And with the stealth technology (they don’t even know they are being watched unless you tell them) of Spector Pro Software I see what they do on the computer at any time, what they are searching for and many other things including screenshots of the computer!
look internet is free at every library in the country and those have few if any parental settings on them teen can get the info with or with out us if they want it they can get access so let them have a phone 'cuz the benefits out way the the negatives
Generations grew up without "constant contact" and turned out perfectly normal. Substituting a device for effective parenting... sheesh...
Kudos to being smart. stop giving kids gadgets/phones/etc because their friends have them and you don't wanna say NO.
I'm so glad they banned them in NYC Public Schools and hope other districts follow.
My idea is that as long as i don't have to rely on my parents to pay my phone bill they cant tell me what not to do with it. (I have a Samsung Transfom Ultra and pay $55 a month for unlimited everything plus next month my bill will be lower for paying on time for 6 months and this will kep happening every 6 months till i only pay only per month 35/40 dollars)
I would agree except for one item. Legally, regardless of who pays or anything you say, your parent (or legal guardians) are held responsible for your actions. So, for example, you don't pay? Your parents are the ones who are sued... in addition to your actions if criminal. This is the law, if you don't like it, not much you can do until you can vote.
no if he/she don't pay they can the service that's it they wont sue you just have to pay the past due a a recover charge to re open the account trust me i know and if he/she does anything criminal he/she spend the night or whatever time in jail
This is the problem with youth, they always think they are grown and know better than their older counter parts. BS and it's too bad no one realizes this when they are younger. Kids SUCK IT UP until you are 18 you do not have the same rights as an adult, you want those rights before 18 take your guardians to court. Other wise get over yourselves. And to those guardians who don't properly guard your younger counter parts, you are the reason this world is going the direction it's going. GET A CLUE!!!
Oh please, govt. type people say this exact same thing to their fellow citizens, verbatim. Yes, we need such and such law and if you don't like it, suck it up! You're right, kids don't always have the best Judgement, but I think it's a fallacy to think that most adults are any better at making good decisions. You are seriously deluded if you think that somehow more parental control will make for a better 'kid'. It's far more important to teach your kids basic things and let them make their own mistakes than trying to regulate each and every little thing otherwise you'll have a generation of kids who are incapable of thinking critically.... kind of what we have now!
ummm okay i completely disagree. What happens when your child is in a bad situation when they need help. They need someone to call. therefore they should have a cell phone. whether its a smartphone or a crappy little payphone. whats child abuse is when your kid needs something and they have nobody to call. and cancer, that is ridiculous.
Yeah I guess all those children 30years ago who DID NOT have cellphones were suffering from abusive parents! :/ No child NEEDS a cellphone for any reason. It is a luxery not a right nor is it a nessicity, and MANY people survived bad situations WITH OUT cell phones!
People got along so well in the past without cell phones because people were friendlier. If you live in a rural area, sometimes your kids just need a way to call you for a ride.
For example, if they are staying after school for some reason. My kids COULD walk home, but in the winter time, when the temperature is hovering around zero, that's not fair to them.
It used to be that people would volunteer to give a kid a ride home...but nowadays, gas is expensive, people don't want the bother of going out of their way, and no one has time. Plus, it used to be that if someone saw a kid walking, they'd stop and ask if he/she needed a ride. But now, we can't trust anyone. Kids know better than to get into a car with someone they don't know. And, payphones don't exist anymore.
Yes, the world got along fine without cell phones, but the world has changed.
Cell companies like H2O, RedPocket and Puretalk allow you to set how much talk, text and web a person can use with no tax or 'extras' to pay for. Using a full featured phone like an Android Maxwest-3800 (as powerful as a contract phone but no contracts or subsidizing fees) that lets your kid download apps or a phone with a keyboard like a MX-15TV, your kid has a phone he/she owns, no dealing with contracts or having your credit checked or ruined by them and who cares if they lose the phone (buy a cheap unlocked GSM phone) and you can easily replace the SIM card.
The only rule to giving a child a smartphone should be...DON'T. No child needs a smartphone. If you want to give them a cell phone for emergencies, give them one that only lets them call certain numbers.
Here is the only rule- Your kid can have a cell phone when he/she gets a job and pays for it and all the usage of it. Seems to me that giving your kid something that takes responsibility to manage is not very smart. So, if they want something they need to be responsible with, then they should have to obtain it and pay the bill for it from money they earn responsibly. That is also a great way to teach your kids about the real world- nothing in life is handed to you. Unless your name is Romney.
I guess you support your child being able to download to porn because if they buy it and pay the bill they can and will do what they want with the phone and you will not be able to do anything about it. How about the scandalous “sexting” they most likely will be doing since they are in control. Or what about updating their status and location...you really want everyone knowing where your child is and what they do? There are pedophiles out there around almost every corner searching and smiling upon unprotected children everyday Who is to blame if they come defile your child whose fault is it....the parent for allowing them to have an unprotected line? Responsibility and trust take time and directions not throwing the infant into the deep end saying "sink or swim".
I do however agree that when they make their own money that yes they should pay you for their minutes and overages if you allow them on your account and if they cannot respect your rules then they are not ready for the responsibility of their own phone! And yes protect yourself by using parental controls not forcing them into the "real-world" before they are ready.
Sometimes doing nothing to stop something is child abuse!
I love how you segway from a person downloading porn into them getting into pedophilia and other such nonsense. I agree people should NOT be updating their status with their location or other such things. I'm not really sure about my opinion about 'sexting' other than I'd point out to my kid and ask them if they really want their entire school seeing their genitals and potentially, even a school admin. That like anything you post on the internet, once it's out there, it may never go away.
Btw, you're not FORCING them into the real world, they're already in it! Why put them in a bubble!? It's not like they're living on their own, they've got food, shelter, education, etc. If they're on the internet, that's one way for them to learn about the real world. How is someone suppose to become 'prepared' for the real world if you do not expose them to it? This is the very definition of a catch 22! Nobody just 'ready' for the real world, magically at 18 years old just because they're 18! I know too many 18 years olds and even 30 year olds who are just incapable of functioning in 'the real world' because of people like you who coddled them and held their hand every step of the way.
The only problem is this: in order to do that, you would honestly need to put the phone in YOUR name unless the child is 18 - because you can't sign up unless you are 18 or over. That means that YOU are responsible for the bill, not your child. No one can force your child to pay, and while your child may not like the phone being shut off because he or she did not pay the bill, YOU will not like the collection agencies that will calling YOU and demanding the money from YOU.
I am getting my 11 year old a smart phone, hear me out...
She has epilepsy and being able to find her anywhere is my biggest focus. She enjoys going with our church youth group. I have T-Mobile which has alright parental controls and Family where. I have also done a lot of research and found that when I was updating my Kaspersky internet security/antivirus program on my computers I found that they also protect smart phones and have more features that are parent friendly. The internet security from Kaspersky with the smart phones also uses the GPS in the phone to locate it if it is lost and disable the phone, wipe the memory and give you the location of it if it is stolen to assist the police if necessary, another plus in my book to be able to have a smart phone disabled and the thief not able to get pictures of my child or their friends and not be able to even use the phone is a huge deal to me; protecting our privacy is critical. I also subscribe to Spector Pro Software to protect my children with parental vision that is stealth and they too offer software to monitor smart phones. These programs offer the capabilities of screen shots as well as blind copying you the pictures they take or share with their friends. There is a charge for each of these programs and I have to say that it is 100% worth it to know your child is safe from predators and/or not acting out on their phones!!!
I do have to say to those who do not think that it is a good idea to give their child a smart phone the best thing they can do is arm themselves with educating themselves on what can and cannot happen on one. Do the research, be up front with your child, tell them what you expect and what you will not tolerate....bottom line you are in control NOT them!!! This means that if you do not authorize them to be talking, texting or online that WHEN you catch them you must enforce the punishment, be it losing the phone or loss of minutes/texts except always allowed numbers…YOUR NUMBER!!! Remember this if your child wants a smart phone and they have a job Wal-Mart sells them over the counter and with NO parental controlling capabilities you will have no idea what they do on their phone!!! However if you add them to your plan it will be under your control!!!
"Cancerphone" "horrible internet" You guys obviously have no idea what the real world is. Kids are going to be exposed to these "horrible blogs" and everything else so "horrible" whether they have a phone or not. While getting every kid a smart phone isnt necessary, kids having cell phones in order to contact parents when necessary is a good idea! Besides, most activities, clubs, and schools nowadays only contact kids online or through text message. But for all of you that think this is a "horrible" idea..then make sure to keep your kids so naive and just wait until they go out into the world, that will be a culture shock.
LOL, you can totally tell that you are all over protective parents with socially awkward kids that probably make their kids drink juice boxes with their home cooked breakfast in the morning. Like having a cell phone is going to make your kid watch porn. As freakin' if. My parents got a phone in 6th grade. I'm in 11th now and I have an iPhone. I don't watch porn on my phone. I read, play games and text. Smartphones are convenient. I can email my teachers about schoolwork. I can work on my school assignments on my phone far from my computer through Microsoft Apps. I can contact my parents all the way from Canada without having to pay 10$ per a call to the hotel when I take a trip with my school band (Yes, parents actually send their kids on those. You probably don't, because you're an overprotective parent who is actually commenting on this crap) My parents got me a phone because they wanted to know where I was. NEWSFLASH, WHEN YOU LET YOUR KIDS DRIVE YOU NEED TO GIVE THEM A PHONE. Oh wait, you're an over protective parent. You won't let you kid drive, will you? Teenagers that drive need phones. What if they get into a car accident? Car breaks down on the high way? Run out of gas? They need a ride because they had to stay after school? Not many people have home phones anymore. If you people are still so stuck on not having a cell phone, then your kid is going to pee themselves when they get into the real world. You're all living in McMansions that have rules when you need to mow the lawn, and you drive Volvo soccer mom cars, and you all have to have the latest Vera Bradley bag, and everything you eat has to be gluten-free, organic stuff and watch Dr. Oz like he's Jesus. Get over yourselves. In the real world, people get their kids phones. You have no right to condemn parents for giving their kids phones. And you especially have no right to tell a parent how to raise their kid when obviously you shelter your own to the point where your kid's probably socially stupid. I hope your kid never finds out what the real world is like, for your sake and theirs.
Finally someone that agrees! Not all kids are horrible. If you do catch them watching porn or doing these "horrible" things then sure, take their phone away! But if they dont..cant you trust them? Past people who have commented have said its a "privilege" to have a phone..but if you dont trust your kids and let them have this "privilege" how are you going to know whether they deserve it or not. Either Annabellagrant is correct in saying that you guys are too overprotective of your children... or your a screwed up parent whos kids watch porn and do all these horrible things and THATS why you wont let them. lets not blame all kids for bad parenting.
you are in 11-th grade? wow.
go hug your parents (and if you just did, hug them again). they did a darn good job raising you.
Time to gin up a "Condescending Wonka" picture with the following captions:
OH, YOU'RE IN THE 11TH GRADE NOW?
I BET YOU KNOW EVERYTHING THERE IS TO KNOW
I totally agree with you on that. However, I am going into the 11th grade, and I used to have a phone. It was a cheap $50 one on Verizon that I had for about two and a half years. I did run up several $100 bills a month up there for texting (they simply REFUSED to give me a texting plan; saying that I only needed it for contacting them) but virtually NOTHING for minute usage (I barely ever talk on the phone...). My phone went through a lot when almost all my friends got new phones seemingly every three months or so. I kept mine to the point where the slide out keyboard was about to fall off. Eventually a month ago, it was accidentally (I SWEAR!!!) flushed down the school toilet, which (I want to add) has insane flushing power.
I'm not getting a new phone anytime soon. They simply do not see the point of getting me a new phone when I was not responsible enough to keep up with the one that I already had (Since of course accidents don't happen... especially if you have a palm sized phone...). I ran up about $400 in two years of having the phone, and I'm only supposed to use it in case of emergencies to contact my parents. And given the fact that I'm not really allow to do much outside of school, there's not much for me TO talk about.
I have tried to reason that if they got me a pre-paid plan like Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, or Cricket PayGo, then they only have a flat fee of about $55 a month and no extra fees, but they say that I'm old enough to get my own money for my own things and pay for my own phone.
Which in all makes me seriously jealous of the kids who's parents let them get expensive two-year contract phones. I can't tell you how often I hear "Team iPhone!" in class. These are the same students that are often in the loop of things, and always at some social event with their friends on the weekends.
But then again, my parents raised me to not be like all the other kids at school. But I still wish I could keep in contact with my little group of people. It's kind of hard when they're all texting each other to arrange things, and I never get the message since I can't text, and I am hardly ever in a decent area to receive a call. Everybody seems to have unlimited texting at least.
And even if I HAD a smart phone, all I would do it text (I'm a VERY heavy texter; I can send out a minimal of 150+ a DAY), listen to music, and read articles on Yahoo!. I don't do much.
Let's just hope I get a job soon, or my parents are willing to shell out $50 a month for me.
You're lucky you're not my kid! You'd be getting a job and paying back that $400 an if you wanted a new phone, well then you can just pay for the whole thing out of your OWN pocket. Good grief! What is with spoiled rotten kids these days!
There is no reason, at all, that a phone is a "must have." The only things your parents need to provide you with is food, clothing, and shelter. Perhaps you should be greatful for the POS phone they did give you. My three children are not getting cell phones until they are 18 and/or out of my house. It's not a necessity. Period.
sweetheart, lesson learned huh? i would however help you out since i am a mother of 4, my oldest is 11 going on 21 (we all have kids like that) and i told her when you can pay for and buy your own phone go for it, however there will be RULES in MY house about using a cell phone. you have to or they will be disrespectful. (we all get the drift). i would help you out but you would be paying me back which would be the first thing that you would do. it is good that you learned a lesson.... tough yes. kids have it so easy these days, .... good luck to you in your future. ~god bless~
Your parents just gave you the most important lesson of your life ... take responsibility for your actions . It sounds like your a smart 11th grader who appreciates their parents actions .. that's nice to hear . Now here's one for free , you make a $50 a month payment sound cheap and simple ..... if it's that cheap .... you pay it . Keep up the good work as I said you seem to be a very smart young person !
Well maybe if you were smart, you wouldnt have this problem now. I am 16 and have a smartphone. My dad was mad at me for sending one extra text. Yep, 20 cents. Stay within your limits and you'll get what you want.
Wait a moment! I have to say that there still people who have landline phones and I am one of them, Ok!. There is nothing wrong with that and I know more people that are doing the same thing as me. My kids do have cellphones, too. This is not about overprotecting or not our kids, this is about safety issues. I agree with you 50% of what you say for having the cellphones. However, the problems with porno it is more seen now days than back then due to the evolution of the technology. The technology has a two-side face. Yes, it help you to complete your school work but not every kid will have the same use like you. Not every kid has the cell to do homeworks. The majority of kids of your ages has cells just to have it, or because a friend has one and they want to have one, & others says they want it for texting & games. The bottom line is you do not need cell to do homework if you already has computer. You do not need cellphone to contact your parents from school when the school has phones that you can use. If you are afterschool activities even your teacher can allow you to use the phone from his/her office. When my kids arrive at home they have to call me from the landline phone, I don't care that they have their own cellphones. By the way, one of my kids lost his, so guess what! no cell phone for him and he is 15 yrs. He has learned the lesson but still I told him I won't replace it anymore. Both of my kids has put my cell phone bill up to $500 for using apps without my permission even though I have parental control. When I called the provider they said that there are some apps they don't have control of. Guess what! I ended up changing their cell phones to radio phones. I preferred them to be listening music rather than being messing in the internet and raising my bill. The real world is about working for a living and pay bills. Are you doing that! I guess NO your parents are doing it for you while you finish school. That's the real world, You are gonna find out in your own when you graduate. Landlines phones are still in use and believe me cell phones will never replaced them. By the way, you are lucky that you can travel so far until Canada but realistically not all kids travel. You are having a good use of it. But like I said the majority of kids of your age don't have good use of it, that's the true.
so now you are not only entitled to a cell phone that you did not work to pay for, but you are also entitled to a car, car insurance and gas money? i never got a car until i was able to pay for it myself, and had my OWN insurance..
what else does society, or your parents owe you?
LOL....awesome comment...cracked me up. My 9th grader has a smart phone and went to Quebec for 5 days with school in 8th grade. No gluten-free homemade juicebox breakfast here:)
umm for being i 11th grade you are acting more like a child in 5th grade. you havent even experienced the real world yet. A child is not sheltered if they dont have a cellphone, that is just silly. All a kid needs is a basic phone with minutes to contact a parent if they are going to be late, need a ride, emergencies, etc... You said it yourself thats all they needed it for. If you need more then that, then i agree with the other fellow posters, you should pay for it. I got along just fine borrowing 1 of my parents cellphones when i went somewhere. I also communicated with my friends over the internet through instant messaging and email. This was before social networks like facebook and myspace. I dont remember missing out on anything, and before there was cellphones i found a way to contact my parents and i was always home by the time they told me to. I agree with giving their child at 16 a cellphone when they start driving but a basic phone would be sufficient. No one needs all of these special more expensive gadgets, yes they are nice to have, but not a necessity. You will find what you need and dont really need when you do get out into the real world and start having to pay for everything yourself. Kids now a days are spoiled brats and just expect everything to be just handed to them.
In the early sixties there was a movie called "Village of the Damned," in which alien children could learn communally through telepathy. This is exactly what giving your child a smartphone will allow: what one of them knows, all will find out, almost instantaneously. Our eleven-year old Boy Scout-high-honor student begged for a phone; with his good record, we capitulated. Within a week his phone was loaded with vulgar email messages and texts, and downloads from porn sites. An older kid in the school was showing younger kids how to access inappropriate material. His mom and I were devastated. After a four-month layoff, our son now has a text- and call-only basic phone, because he is active and away from home a good deal. But smart-phone? Wait till college.
Exactly... If the kid didn't want exposure to that content, he wouldn't have gotten it unless of course someone close to him nefariously gave out his e-mail.
I would love to meet all of your kids:) it would probably be fascinating seeing these robot-like kids who are so awkward that their only friend is their mommy:)
I didn't have a phone until I was 17 and even then, I didn't have a smart phone until I could pay for it (the actual phone and monthly bills) myself. I'm all for getting kids a simple phone, but it does not have to be one that does more than phone calls and texting. The rest will just be a distraction.
If you are giving your kid an Android phone, I would highly recommend Funamo Parental Control. I have it on my son's Droid and I love it so far. The web filtering is awesome and I can monitor all calls and SMS on my PC. I can also set time limit for games.
please remember, you people, who are comparing generations ago when kids didn't have cell phones, that they did indeed carry a quarter in their pocket for pay phone use. They could also collect call back to their parents. These pay phones were on almost every street corner and they are no longer there. So yeah you can't compare apples to oranges. While they may not have had cell phones calling home to mom and dad was still a just a couple of steps away in either direction..Since this is no longer available the next best thing in a possible emergency is to have a cell phone.
I have to agree with you about that. It is true that public phones has disapeared with the existence of cell phones.
so what you are saying is that schools, or shop owners would not allow a child to make a phone call to their parents?
i still seem to see plenty of payphones all around..
nope, we were pretty much expected to make it back when we were supposed to be back. no excuses accepted.
in fact, if you weren't working at your job, like you should be, your butt needed to be at home.
I will givve my kid a plain, ordinary cell phone with pay-as-u-go. If she uses up her minutes before the next time I award her a refill, tough shit. She either uses her money or doesn't have the phone. Everything will be blocked but calling and receiving. When she turn 18 or graduates school she can do whatever the hell she wants, just can't expect me to help her out. She'll learn responsibility or go without.
Ok, first off, there ARE carriers that offer truly unlimited data - Sprint is one of them. Secondly, there is *never* a reason for a teenager to have a smartphone. Period. I used to work for a cellphone company and the parental controls are *not* good enough to keep teens from doing things you do not want them to.
For example: iPhone use requires a data plan no matter what carrier you have. Your teen needs only create their own iTunes account using their own email address and he or she can download any app he or she wants as long as it is free or he or she has added an iTunes gift card to the account. Short of not allowing them to have an iPhone, there really isn't anything you can do to stop this from happening. Sure, you can do "phone checks" and delete apps, but they can put them right back on when they sync the phone to their computer in order to change songs - the apps will auto-download into iTunes. So many teens now have their own computers that the parents would probably never know the apps were even there.
Do *not* give *any* child/teen a smartphone. If a normal cellphone is not good enough for your child, he or she doesn't need a phone at all.
Smart phone are just more of the "dumbing down of America". If students had to learn the 3 R's, we would be in a much better position in the world market.
I honestly believe that anyone under the age of eighteen, as well as not being a graduate of high school should not be allowed to have a cell phone. Those children/students should be focusing on they're school work and trying to make a better life for themselves. All a phone is, for that age group, is a distraction.
agree. growing up, we didn't have one, but you can make sure that mom n dad knew where you were at. and there was no need to check in, you knew when to be home or else. i absolutely agree, it is nothing more than a distraction. especially driving/texting/talking in class and texting/gaming/pics... a major no no.
I think the entire "growing up we never had 'insert technology here'" arguement is very stupid. Let me give you a hypothetical example, if your parents said "growing up, we didn't have lightbulb and electricity" would you have been happy? If you go back far enough, you eradicate the use off all manmade/processed items because your parents didn't have them when they grew up. You see my point?
We weren't even allowed to have any devises in school, of course that was back in the day before cells where everyday accessible. No walkmans, no pagers, ect..... If schools went back to this kind of rule some of this would be taken care of. I half agree, if parents feel the need to be connected to their kids then one of those cells that only has the home and emergency call buttons on it would work fine.
There is no reason, at all, that a teenager needs access to all of that technology 24/7. And it's not just the cell phone people. It's the ipods, ipads, and regular ol' pcs. If you think your child isn't using his/her ipod to access the internet, you are sadly mistaken. Trust me. Anyone, and I do mean anyone, who gives their child unsupervised, unlimited internet access and not checking texts/internet use daily should be charged with neglect.
chttr...it's not your business to tell another parent what their child needs or doesn't need. If more people would mind their own business this country would be in a much better position of success, but the medical field, education field, and this hapless government we have all suck big time because the lazy rectums depend on this 3 entities to provide us with HELP and we have become complacent in our everyday thought process that IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND NOT EVEYRONE ELSE! COMMUNISM, COMMUNISM, COMMUNISM TO THE HIGHEST DEGREE OF STUPIDITY!
Yup, communism, the ultimate in group think! Yes, just have everybody and everyone BUT YOU think for yourself. Don't inform myself, let someone else do the legwork! Reading these posts reminds me of all the bullshit kids have to live with when growing up and it makes me sad.
Is it completely out of the realm of possibility that you might have a mature and responsible kid?
If your teenager tries to look at things on their smartphone that you don't approve of (lets say, porn) and you limit their internet access, what do you think will happen? They're going to find a way look at them things some other way, like hmmm, maybe that computer that they have or a friend has or the library(which has unlimited internet access). It's just the way teens are! If your kids are trying to watch porn, then there is something wrong with the way YOU raised them. Phones dont find porn, people do!
I was with you up until the point you said, "If your kids are trying to watch porn, then there is something wrong with the way YOU raised them." There is nothing wrong with teenagers looking at porn and it's perfectly natural unless you've neutered/spayed your kids.
how about when they (teens) get jobs they can get their own phone! to many kids have cell phones and forget about what being a kid/teenager is like. i didn't have one growing up (nobody did) until i was in my 20's and guess what i paid my own, thanks!
If you absolutely must turn your kid into a self absorbed moron.... give them an iPhone.
And who really cares?!? It's the parents' responsibility to make that decision and not some organization for the love of God! Do we not have any other issues to write about then to write about someone else's responsibility or to share this or that with F*ckBOOK! COMMUNISM COMMUNISM COMMUNISM IS ALL I CAN POST...
Rule #1 ... Don't ! Rule #2 ...They can have one when they can pay for it ! Rule #3 Go back to rule #1 !! It's just that simple .
You guys are ridiculous. Cell phones ARE necessary. When your kid is suddenly in an accident somewhere... and you have no idea where he or she is at you will regret getting them a cell phone. Im not saying that smart phones are necessary. Its facebook, porn sights, twitter, ect. that are doing these 'horrible' things that have been mentioned... not the cell phones. get your kid a phone with a few games (such as the normal tetris) and calling ability and texting... eliminate picture messaging on their phone..and block numbers you feel are innapropriate if you feel they are necessary. there are phones where your child can put in number of their friends..and anyone you approve of you can accept and let be on their contact list..anyone who you don't then delete? The phone will not allow them to add anyone else..or text or call an unknown number. And when you do give them this phone that you have already chosen EVERYTHING on...trust them. let them text their friends and dont bug them about it. This world needs more trusting parents...really. it does. Do you want your kids to talk to you and visit you when they are older? Show them respect and trust. And this doesnt just mean cell phones. Trust them with friends. Let them date and trust they wont go and get themselves pregnant. Let your kids be a kid. They are going to mess up sometimes..but dont count on them murdering someone or being pregnant. If that happens its your parenting that messed everything up.
There is nothing wrong with giving your kids cell phones. I do not understand what is wrong with you people. Once they reach a certain age they need one. Many people do NOT have a land line, myself included. What happens when they go to a friend's house to spend the night, and the parent doesn't have one? Like someone pointed out earlier, pay phones are not everywhere anymore, and they are usually disgusting and/or out of order because they are often used for drug deals. Not everyone is as willing as you think they are to let another person use their phone, so stop assuming that as well. Cell phones are not going to kill your children, they are not going to make them stupid. When I got one, I had rules. I was not allowed to talk on it after a certain time, and if I did- it was taken away. If I was disrespectful- it was taken away. It was used as a very effective punishment and incentive. It did not stop me from doing my homework, it did not stop me from going to college. It does not have all of these horrible effects that all of you overprotective, and obviously incredibly cheap people assume that they have. In today's world, you need one. Many schools do communicate with their students through text messages. In case you did not know- that is how many colleges alert their students to dangerous situations on campus, such as, school shootings and school cancellations due to inclement weather. If high schools have not done this yet, I'm sure they will soon. Yes, they also do this through email, so if you are heavily restricting their internet usage as well, they may not be getting this either. Maybe one of the other parents that are not sitting around in their tinfoil hats can inform you of a situation before you let your kid out of their plastic bubble in the morning and drive them all of the way to the school house.
Were I to have kids, and I wouldn't have the little parasites to begin with, they would be allowed to go to work, and school, and that's it. Otherwise, they'd have to stay home.
I think kids having a smartphone is perfectly fine. Yes then they COULD have constant access to bad websites/blogs/movies but they also have the same on a laptop. But there is something you can download both for your laptop and your smartphone. Its called covenant eyes and its free. You can even set it so that it just sends a report of what your kids have been on, so they have the choice to get on the website, but you will see it.
I'm a teenage kid, and if I want the smart phone I have to pay the extra money for it and put covenant eyes on it. I've tried to find a way around.. so far.. I cant! And i've found ways around most things that block or send reports to my parents. (got caught later and learned my lesson haha.)
I want to know why some people in here are trying to rely on school method of communications. First, school either from elementary to high school send messages to PARENTS to alert for any situation, NOT to students. Even college students' PARENTS are alerted for any situation, too. I do not think that a teacher will call a student to communicate a problem, Parents are the ones that needs to be communicated, whether for academic issues or behavior problems, whatever the situation is. PLeeeasee!, emails! are not effective for emergencies contact!! and still if a teacher is trying to send a message it will be for the PARENT, heyy!! who is in charge of YOUR HOUSE! Definitly, I am the parent of the house. Landlines still exists, don't tell me that you don't use a fax machine, Heeellloo! fax machine needs land line to be used. Still, any organization from private to governmental must have landline for emergencies practices. WOWW! I can't believe how many people are ignorant to this fact. C'mmon people! every household has a phone, that is not a doubt. There are ways to have a phone, either prepaid, contract or landline. It is a must that my kids communicate where are they and if they don't notify me chances are higher that they will not visit their friend anymore.
Actually, most of this is in fact..wrong. Teachers call their students. Not the parents. In fact, a lot of teachers TEXT their students (OH NO WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO?!). Its an easier and faster way to get information. If you join clubs, they always ask for your number so they can text you about meeting and remind you of specific details. Teachers hand out their numbers now so kids can TEXT them to ask about homework assignments, projects, trips, ect. Teachers are calling students all the time. SCHOOL COUNSELORS are calling students. SCHOOL OFFICIALS are calling students. And any child that does not have a cell phone is at a disadvantage because they will not have the communication that is needed nowadays.
Per Law NO teacher is allow to call directly to a student. Have you heard the news of teachers trying to help students in one way or another to improve their academic performance and sill these teachers were charged and FIRED! Sooorryyy! but your source of information is ALL WRONG! Even School Counselors do not call students, (wow!) they are there to help kids with parents knowledge. Have you seen the recent news of a couch teacher that was fired for a helping a student to get better in English class and as a motivator she took him the PROM, Guess what! They FIRED her. So, tell me now since you are saying that I am wrong and teachers communicate wth students, well what's that supposed to be? No teacher can give a student their cellphone or home number not even having them as a contact in any social network. I am not assuming, this is a FACT. Even my son told me that one time he asked to one of his teacher to be a friend on facebook and the teacher explained to him that they are NOT ALLOW to have students as contact friends in any social network. I want to know where in the world does teachers has the chance to contact students, by the way in which State does this happen?
Coming from a STUDENT in HIGH SCHOOL. Yes. they can. our school asks for a cell phone number, and all teachers have access to it. teachers ARE allowed to call us and contact us through our cell phone. and they DO. they DO give out their number to students if we need to call or text them, and our counselors and school officials call US. ALL of my teachers are friends with me on facebook, and they always communicate with us. sorry hunny:) your facts are wrong:) going to prom with a student and letting a student text you for an assignment or meeting time is a lot different :)
teachers call students now??? wtf??? i dont care what its about. The teacher should not have a students number or vice versa. Thats just inapppropriate. When it comes to school, the teachers contact parents not the student. If they were to call, it would be to a home number. There should be no reason to call or text each other. You ask questions in the classroom, before or after class. I know ive been out of school for 10 years but teachers would have been in trouble if it was found out they were contacting student or giving their phone number out. Whenever there was trips and such, teachers/coaches sent notes home. The comment that fellow students would be at a disadvantage without a cellphone for school, is bs. Ever heard of the internet???
Its not inappropriate. What do you think were doing? sexting? no. theyre texting us to give us infortmation. Thats it. and yes, i do know what internet is obviously since im on this site. but whats the difference between them sending us an email and sending us a text message? kids would be at a disadvantage without cell phones. with cell phones we can call our teachers or text them and ask for assignments and anything else we need. Everyone needs to stop saying whats wrong with our generation. What has gone wrong with the world. BS. our generation is way smarter and advanced than your generation ever was. We will go way further then most of you ever will or had the possibilities to, and yes thats because of technology. Technology is taking over the world. get over it.
Unlocked Smartphones don't require a contract, and work with any GSM carriers, so you decide what data plan or texting plan, if at all or just the simple calling plan, you need for the phone. Check out these hot 4.3'' or 5'' capacitive touch 3G Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Smartphones, contract free, dual core 1GHz CPU, dual cameras, microSD, Adobe Flash, only $150 on KooBay
@DaisyDove, it's people like you that want our society to become a full blown nanny state. What difference does it make if your "child" is exposed to appalling content on the internet and not? So long as your kid is not divulging their personal information like location, meeting up with people or doing something very illegal, I see no harm in letting them have unfettered access to the internet. I've had full access to the internet since I was 10 and I fully appreciate the freedom I had. When my parents restricted my access with the internet prior to that, I had no interest in using the computer and to me, that's a very bad thing. I only wish I had unfettered internet access at an earlier age. I hate people like you. If your child sees objection content at 10 years old or 18 years old, they're still going to be seeing it. There is no benefit to "protecting them" from said content when inevitably they'll be exposed to it at sometime in their life and the consequences are quite minor.
Look into Kajeet. They offer smartphones for kids and no contracts or activtion fees. They offer free parental controls to limit web access and picture messages. You can also set what numbers they can call and who can call them. Kajeet offers plans starting at $4.99 up to $50 and you can cancel at any time with out penalties.
Do your kids a favor and do not get them a smart phone or any cell phone. Look I know the debate about how kids should have a cell phone and shouldn't under age 16, but the fact is we never had cell phones as kids and we got along and our parents always knew where we were. We would call using land line.
Smart phones are bad for kids, they are privacy concerns and actually do not make them more safe. Safe from what? The argument that there seems to be too many creepers out there or some mass of child predators is stupid, there was the same amount when we were kids, except the media never reported on every single case back in the 80's and 90's.
For some reason we see everything reported now, people are turning into these media zombies with Facebook and Twitter, they are not normally social in terms of what it was before all this. I think everyone is stepping into an anti social mindset because of things like this.
If you disagree you are one of them, you can't see that people prefer to talk over text or internet rather than in person or on the phone? They rather not talk to you in person as much. When we were kids, we couldn't wait to go out and play and socially interact with other kids. It was great times that I think disappeared with this generation because of the technologies we have.
So, privacy concerns eh? You live in the information age. The government knows when you freaking move. Do you block google from your home internet too or do you not have internet? Oh, and facebook? By having a Facebook, you basically threw away your privacy. So whats your concern now?
So next, "people are turning into these media zombies." How many hours do you spend sitting in front of the TV. Or computer. Or Ipad. Or phone.
Just because people have a phone doesn't mean they don't talk to people in person. If you have a person that you call, the likelyhood is greater that you have friends that you meet with. Nothing can truly replace actually meeting someone, you should realize that. I weep for your children.
They don't know when I move, because I don't take a GPS enabled device around with me when I leave my house. I don't have a cell phone, and don't see a need for one.
All of you do realize that in the article it's more focused towards 14-17 year olds, as the statistic states in the beginning. As a 16 year old with a smartphone, I'd like to express my own opinion on this situation. All of you parents are simply trying to shelter your kids from reality. Things that they will eventually see. Things that they will eventually experience. You can't keep your children in boxes. We need to be able to communicate. Parents think it's so bad that we're always texting, or always on the phone, on Facebook, etc. But what they don't realize is that we need to socialize. I get that it's annoying but that's the reality of it. Yes, children are curious. You can't hold them back from the inevitable. As a teenager, the only thing I use my phone for is texting, Facebook, school work, and games. It annoys me how overprotective some of you are.
Parents give kids these phones so they can be even more hands off. I doubt most care what the kids do with the phones, they don't even care about their kids. Just when they want a child to do something and they don't do it.. the parent gets pissy about the phone texting and all the facebook. Again, a few may be overprotective parents using your words.. but to a person 16 and under that has a smartphone has many things but an overprotective parent isn't one of them. More like absentee parent so wrapped up in their own life they buy their kid a toy to keep them out of the way.
I have one rule- don't. The only reason teenagers get gadgets is to waste time and talk smack about how they have the latest whatever it is. Let them use internet services at home, there are too many risks. I don't want anyone to be able to locate my child without their knowledge, and cellphones can be tracked by service tower location should authorities need to do so.
Some of these comments are RIDICULOUS! So what if they buy or look at porn? It's really not the end of the world. Watching porn is a hell of a lot safer than going out and sleeping with random strangers. By trying to control every aspect of your children's lives, you're only going to cause them to rebel the first chance that they have.
are you serious? if they are not old enough to pay for their own plan, then they are not old enough for a cell phone, yet alone an expensive smart phone... what could they possibly need a cell phone for? when they are in school they can not use it, when they are home they can use the home phone or computer to stay in touch.. and when they are out, there should be restrictions on where they can be and what time to be home...
I have been looking through these comments, mind you i am still in high school. What i want to say is GET REAL PEOPLE. Almost every adult i saw said something along the lines of "they might watch porn" or "They'll get it when they are 18" or "facebook is bad for them". News Flash. Not every teenager isn't into porn. Nor is every teenager addicted to Facebook. I have a smartphone, just because i have one doesn't mean i am on it 24/7 nor do i watch porn on it. Thinking that not buying your kid a smartphone will stop them from watching porn or going on facebook is really stupid becuase they could walk, i don't know, like 5 steps to get to a computer?!
I think teenagers shouldn't get a phone at 12 but maybe at 15. Look, if you don't have enough money for a phone, thats fine but using excuses gets you nowhere. And you people with "web filtering" and "time restraints on games." I can assure you that your teenager can bypass them in less than a minute without you even knowing.
Agree with Sarabuh again. My 5th grader doesn't have a smart phone, but my high schooler does. I do not check his phone. And worse...gassssp..I could care less if he looks at porn. I'd sure as hell rather he looked at porn than had actual sex and knocked somebody up. He's such a horrible kid...that's why he went and got himself a job at a pizzeria at 14 years old, mows the lawn, takes out the trash, etc. He's very mature for his age and I have no regrets for getting him a smart phone for his 14th birthday. He has had it for 7 months. No issues at all.
Hey I am I 16 and in the New England area, I see a lot of the parents concerned about their kids. Unfortunately we live in a world that has become more self-centered and a trust no person society. I have been accepted in three honor societies and volunteer for a sports team, participate in Boy Scouts, and take a online class as well as attending school every day and achieving a above standard report card and a (almost) perfect attendance. It is up to each parent to decide if their child is ready for the responsibility of having a phone in general and if that phone will be deemed "smart" or not. Unfortunately not all teens can live up to that standard. I have a regular "dumb" phone myself and I know a (very) few teens without cell phones and a (over 75%) smartphone filled school. I text often and I know that parents are often concerned about the costs their cellphone plan, and this is of course up to you to decide as well. But it does put a teen at a disadvantage not being able to talk to their fellow students at any time, I have gotten messages on the road that (I pulled over and read) that talked about changing time of a practice and also things that I have needed to get and my parents wanting to know where I was. While talking to mom i heard her stories of when she would walk home in the dead of Pittsburgh winter going up a side of a large hill soaked to the bone, she walked in and her mom didn't give the slightest moment to think about it. For me I hope that no parent now days would do that. This article was just about smart phones however much I would like to have one my parents would make me pay for the phone as a whole in the two year contract and any additions to their bill. I have only broken one cell phone in my phone owning career I had a trac-fone in 6th grade with a set number of minutes a year. In 8th grade just like my 4-5 year older sister did we got a Verizon cellphone and our allowance was taken away and we were told that it covered our 10 dollar addition to their bill and a portion of the unlimited texting plan that we have, I have gone through 4-5 cellphones all of which I paid for and bought used on amazon.com, all of which are still in the condition that they came in. This is not trying to tell any parent how to raise their kid and I know I'm not perfect (even through my efforts) teacher do text their students and call them, I happen to be forget full I don't know about you, and I know teachers are some of the most underpaid special people on this earth who else could deal with teens for at least 7 hours a day. I also know as a fact that teens can become unconnected because of not being able to get messages. Not many teens that I know answer their phones. It is becoming a new world for you and your kids. I do see payphones around but when I go to pick up the greasy grime cover handset I don't get a dial tone. In a world where we have the mindset that anyone driving by you could be a pedophile or a serial killer, I as a person feel safer having a cellphone and have grown to feeling like I'm naked in public when I go out by myself and forget my phone at home. I thank god and my parents for letting me have a cellphone and also that they instilled values in me so that I know when it is inappropriate to text and also when it is. But at times it would be utterly fantastic to be able to look up a fact on a class worksheet which my teacher magically expects us to know without actually teaching it to us, or to check my grades for any missing assignments, or even to send emails to my teachers about zeros that I know should be at least 90’s. I have a sister in college that I know that they send school happenings and meeting in texts and in emails in the middle of the day when she is not even considering being on her computer. It all depends on what the parent decides is best for their child and how responsible they decide their child is. Thank you for taking the time to read my ramble.
Parents are too much like their child's friend's rather than parents. Give them a phone, then when they dont follow your rules(they will eventually) break their phone in front of them. Dont make a big deal out of it, if they look at porn on their phone. Walk in their room, grab their phone(preferably out of their hands while they are using it to maximize the "oh, i really messed up this time" effect) and snap it in half in front of them, and then take away their laptop, and while your at it, take the TV with you on your way out the door. My parents did this with me everytime i did something stupid, and because they raised me to be ready for the real world, im smarter than 99.9999999999999999999% of the American population, and honestly thats not saying much, but its a start if nothing else.
I can see taking it away but to brake something that you probably payed for is a little stupid to me.
I have to agree. Why break something that works fine? Take it from them, don't get it for them in the first place. They don't need a computer, a phone, a car, etc.
Heck, when I was growing up, I was working from the age of 12, and I still didn't get to eat every night.
Way to turn this into another "Back in my day...." story. The world is different TKramar. we cant even work at 12. we can barely work at 16. There are so many new laws and rules, so just stop.
I just recently got a phone for my 13 year old through a company called Kajeet designed specifically for kids. They have great parental controls, and they are prepaid with plans that are so good I got one for myself as well
My momgave me and my sister a phone when I was 15 and my sister was 14. We had unlimited talk and text and internet access. In middle school and high school we had teachers that didn't care about phone usage exept that they wanted no phones on campus but they would not let us use the school phones period because of some stupid reason. Now that we are in collage they have passed a law that states in no way period are you to talk to anyone but the student and in person so the parents cannot do anything (including calling to find out if their child is in class or not) about their kids in that aspect. I think all these people that are saying no to phones till they can pay for them means you are going to push your child into this harsh world all that much sooner. If the child can prove that they do not live with you the parent then yes they can sign up for a 2 year contract without you being privy to it and even if they can't there is pay-as-you-go phones that they can buy so trying to restrict their usage is crazy. Saying that no phone because of porn is crazy because they can find that same stuff on a computer easier and you have no control over that programs or not. I say maybe not a smartphone but yes a child needs sometype of cellphone. And the people that are saying back in my day needs to get a clue because the world is changing and if you try and fight it you will just be left behind and will be hurting the others around you.
Why don't you just give you're kid one of those Ladybug phones that you can only call 911 and home, (or a prepaid with like 10 minutes on it) for emergencies? If you want a GPS tracker on your kids then get a small tracker to go in their backpack or something... I understand the whole I want to know they're safe thing, I would feel the same way, but if you have a kid you don't trust out with friends then why reward them with a smart phone? I'm only 14. I don't have one and am just fine. I bought MYSELF a laptop and whenever theres free WiFi I use it. My parents can put blocks on whatever they want or need to. I have no problem with it. If your kids do, then they aren't responsible enough to have one at all. I have a 6 year old cousin with a cell phone. Unlimited text, internet, and call. Why is that necessary? If they were in trouble, how is the internet going to help? Are they really in danger that much, where they need 600+ text messages/minutes. Its sad to see kids my age crying because they're mom/dad took away they're phone. There are a few kids at my school who have completely gone off the handle at their parents because they couldn't afford text. My best friend (who I question sometimes) was complaining about how her mom couldn't afford her unlimited phone card for the month yet. I was completely shocked at how dependent a lot of people are with cell phones. I get that parents want them for safety reasons, but why an expensive smart phone? Most people don't know, but the well fare programs now provide cell phones (also unlimited everything) to people who can't afford them. I can't believe how soft our country is becoming, where they NEED these dinky little things. My family is on well fare due to finacial struggles over the past few years, but we are all completely against the cell phone business. I get if it was a few minutes call for emergencies, but its crazy how people feel they need to have these unlimited plans. My mother, father, and grandfather all need cell phones for their business, and they were able to put another phone onto the plan for me for an extra $8 a month. It's something that we don't necessarily need for it, but it brings in more money then what we spend for them, so we feel we can afford them. We don't have text. No internet. We split 1200 minutes between the 4 of us, have had it that way for about a year, and we have NEVER went over. I hardly use mine, in fact I don't even remember the last time I've had to use it. I will admit that they are nice to have when out to be able to contact my parents if I need a ride. Or if I'm not feeling comfortable around someone then I will pull out my cell and pretend to talk. I'm usually left alone after that. I HATE talking on the phone, and when I'm with my aunt and texting someone, it takes so long, and I feel it is a waste of time. If someone wants to know something then CALL me. It takes me so long to text. (haha) If someone wants to talk just to talk, then meet me somewhere. Face to face contact is much more healthy then looking down at a phone all day. My friends try to text me all the time and I just ignore them, message them on Facebok (a FREE site), and tell them they can message me on here or meet me at the school or something. Facebook can be safe as long as you have your privacy settings on and you have the option to not have your location be seen when posting things. I personally, just don't think its healthy to be so dependent on something that you may or may not be able to afford a month from now. (So people don't think I'm against/for them... I'm in a medium position. Do I think kids need the smart phone/text/internet/anything unlimited? No. Do I think a Ladybug (or prepaid with a minimal ammount of minutes on it) is okay to have for emergencies or for a ride from parents? Yes. I have no problem with kids having cell phones, as long as parents don't let them become so dependent on them that they freak out or cry once its gone.) That is just my opinion on it.
Why don't you just give you're kid one of those Ladybug phones that you can only call 911 and home, (or a prepaid with like 10 minutes on it) for emergencies? If you want a GPS tracker on your kids then get a small tracker to go in their backpack or something... I understand the whole I want to know they're safe thing, I would feel the same way, but if you have a kid you don't trust out with friends then why reward them with a smart phone? I'm only 14. I don't have one and am just fine. I bought MYSELF a laptop and whenever theres free WiFi I use it. My parents can put blocks on whatever they want or need to. I have no problem with it. If your kids do, then they aren't responsible enough to have one at all. I have a 6 year old cousin with a cell phone. Unlimited text, internet, and call. Why is that necessary? If they were in trouble, how is the internet going to help? Are they really in danger that much, where they need 600+ text messages/minutes. Its sad to see kids my age crying because they're mom/dad took away they're phone. There are a few kids at my school who have completely gone off the handle at their parents because they couldn't afford text. My best friend (who I question sometimes) was complaining about how her mom couldn't afford her unlimited phone card for the month yet. I was completely shocked at how dependent a lot of people are with cell phones. I get that parents want them for safety reasons, but why an expensive smart phone? Most people don't know, but the well fare programs now provide cell phones (also unlimited everything) to people who can't afford them. I can't believe how soft our country is becoming, where they NEED these dinky little things. My family is on well fare due to finacial struggles over the past few years, but we are all completely against the cell phone business. I get if it was a few minutes call for emergencies, but its crazy how people feel they need to have these unlimited plans. My mother, father, and grandfather all need cell phones for their business, and they were able to put another phone onto the plan for me for an extra $8 a month. It's something that we don't necessarily need for it, but it brings in more money then what we spend for them, so we feel we can afford them. We don't have text. No internet. We split 1200 minutes between the 4 of us, have had it that way for about a year, and we have NEVER went over. I hardly use mine, in fact I don't even remember the last time I've had to use it. I will admit that they are nice to have when out to be able to contact my parents if I need a ride. Or if I'm not feeling comfortable around someone then I will pull out my cell and pretend to talk. I'm usually left alone after that. I HATE talking on the phone, and when I'm with my aunt and texting someone, it takes so long, and I feel it is a waste of time. If someone wants to know something then CALL me. It takes me so long to text. (haha) If someone wants to talk just to talk, then meet me somewhere. Face to face contact is much more healthy then looking down at a phone all day. My friends try to text me all the time and I just ignore them, message them on Facebok (a FREE site), and tell them they can message me on here or meet me at the school or something. Facebook can be safe as long as you have your privacy settings on and you have the option to not have your location be seen when posting things. I personally, just don't think its healthy to be so dependent on something that you may or may not be able to afford a month from now. (So people don't think I'm against/for them... I'm in a medium position. Do I think kids need the smart phone/text/internet/anything unlimited? No. Do I think a Ladybug (or prepaid with a minimal ammount of minutes on it) is okay to have for emergencies or for a ride from parents? Yes. I have no problem with kids having cell phones, as long as parents don't let them become so dependent on them that they freak out or cry once its gone.) That is just my opinion on it.
They're protected by not having them at all. Why? They don't need them. Like many have said, we never had them--and we didn't "have a quarter for the pay phone" either. You missed the bus home? You figure out how to get home, maybe you'll be more responsible next time. You missed the bus to school? Same thing. We didn't get cars either. As a matter of fact, I don't think I got a license until I was 28.
No reason to give someone under 16 a cell of any kind. When will the first law suit be filed against an Apple or other phone makers and providers when someone gave their child a phone and that child walks in front of a car in a mall parking lot because the child had it's face down staring at the phone? Hands off parenting is what is wrong with the children these days now.. and this just like x box was, and just like Atari was.. is just another tool to keep parents from having to be parents.
i didnt get a cell phone til i got a job and was able to pay for my own. I dont think kids need their own cellphone. My parents had 2 cellphones. When we would go somewhere, we would take one of them so we could call our parents if we needed to. I got along just fine as a kid without a cellphone. Really what does a kid need anyways with a cellphone?? I talked to my friends over instant messaging on the computer. People mentioned they get their child a phone for emergencies or if they go somewhere they can call to check in, get a ride, etc... So then get them a basic phone. A lot of family plans, come with unlimited calling numbers under the same plan. Verizon you can choose the 5 numbers you can call unlimitedly for like a couple dollars a month. Also even basic phones can have texting. Most cellphone companies now you can send as many texts as you want to phones through the same cellphone company. So they could even text you if the amount of minutes per month is low. Kids dont need a smartphone. Its more expensive to have a smartphone then a basic phone. Do your kids really need the internet anywhere they go?? Its a waste of money.
Yes, tell your kid you don't trust them "I'm going to track you wherever you go because you're not trustworthy, oh, and I'm going to use a text blocker because I think you're going to do something illegal". Really a model of good parenting bawsed on a good relationship of trust. If you used any of these on a child for whom you'd actually need these measures, then they'd just hate you. Wake up people and treat your teens like the young adults they are, not the immature kids they used to be.
I agree with this completely. The more parents try to rule over their kids and show them that they aren't trustworthy, the more the kids are going to push back and become actually untrustworthy. Set boundaries, sure, but give your kids a little bit of freedom and they are more likely to respect the rules that are set down.
To everyone saying "Don't get them a smartphone, it'll let them have access to evil blogs!!!", I don't believe you realize what kids use their phones for. They text (a lot more than 60 per day), they rarely call people, they play games like angry birds, and they obsessively check facebook, twitter and other social networking sites. If you want to block blogs (which no one goes on anymore anyway) and harmful sites, do so on their laptops or the family computer. The phone isn't the problem.
Nothing wrong with teenagers using smartphones, all they need is good guidelines and adult support...i bet in the near future kids will start using tablets for their notes and homework..the world is changing with technology and innovation and we will have to embrace that change positively and move on with it..there are a whole lot of important things to do with a smartphone especially with learning...my 2 yr old son is learning how to pronounce alphabets rightly using applications on my smartphone..u can guess my first gift for him as a TeeN
Teenagers? I work in an intermediate school where every single one of the 5th graders have a full functioning smart-phone. They text, they chat, they take pictures! Sad things is, most of them said they've had it since 3rd or 4th grade!
I don't think you should give kids SmartPhones, however I do believe you should give them some kind of phone so they can get in touch with you. I'm going into 11th grade and I function perfectly fine with my Cricket phone; I can talk, I can text, I can even take pictures which should be good enough for most teens. My mom requires me to have it on and charged whenever I leave the house, especially if I'm going to be driving so I can call and tell her I made it safely to where ever I'm going once I get there. Also some of you seem really concerned about sheltering your children from the real world. If your that concerned heed my advice and ban the dictionary from your house. Whenever I was a kid and an adult refused to tell me the meaning of a word I would just look it up (the dictionary basically gave me the "Birds and the Bees" talk)
oh wow... this subject again... here we go...
i didnt get my first cell phone until i was 18... it was in my name, it was my responsibility... when i didnt pay the bill, it got shut off... i learned my lesson the first time and when i decided it was time for me to have a cell phone i got what i could afford and made sure to keep the bill paid... i know times have changed since i was a teenager, but i got along just fine hanging out without a cell phone... my mom knew my friends, she knew where i was goin, and she could always find me... she did end up getting me a pager (YES pagers were the thing then) and the rule was if she paged, i better call back immediatly, and everyone knew that... it worked... i went on school trips, i went to southern california on a band trip and did JUST FINE without a cell phone...
now unfortunately times have changed... i do have a cell phone, and yes it is a smartphone... i use my phone for EVERYTHING!!! my bank app is there, my pharmacy, i have medical history, a phonebook, my GPS, EVERYTHING is there!!! it comes in handy AND it drives me nuts... i did get my phone when verizon had unlimited internet available, so i was lucky on that... do i lose my mind without my phone??? from time to time yes, but that is because so much of my daily life outside of talking/texting/social media is on there... i also have an 8 year old daughter... her dad (whom i have not been with for years) feels she needs a cell phone... HELL NO!!!! with the way things are with the world today, my daughter does not and will not be going anywhere without an adult any time soon... maybe when shes about 15 she MIGHT be able to go places without an adult.. at that point, i may consider getting her a cell phone, but nothing fancy... 90% of these teenagers i see now have no respect, no manners, no appreciation for anything they have or how they got it... makes me want to slap every one of em!!! parents need to wake up and start tellin their kids NO or at least make them earn what they have... my daughter has anything and everything she wants and needs... shes spoiled and she knows it... but, shes a well behaved, well mannered, helpful, respectful a/b student who knows if she slips, she wont b spoiled anymore... we do understand she is still a child and we dont have ridiculous expectations for her, but she does deserve what she has and she earns what she gets... that should be a basis for these kids now having a cellphone... of any type...
oh wow... this subject again... here we go...
i didnt get my first cell phone until i was 18... it was in my name, it was my responsibility... when i didnt pay the bill, it got shut off... i learned my lesson the first time and when i decided it was time for me to have a cell phone i got what i could afford and made sure to keep the bill paid... i know times have changed since i was a teenager, but i got along just fine hanging out without a cell phone... my mom knew my friends, she knew where i was goin, and she could always find me... she did end up getting me a pager (YES pagers were the thing then) and the rule was if she paged, i better call back immediatly, and everyone knew that... it worked... i went on school trips, i went to southern california on a band trip and did JUST FINE without a cell phone...
now unfortunately times have changed... i do have a cell phone, and yes it is a smartphone... i use my phone for EVERYTHING!!! my bank app is there, my pharmacy, i have medical history, a phonebook, my GPS, EVERYTHING is there!!! it comes in handy AND it drives me nuts... i did get my phone when verizon had unlimited internet available, so i was lucky on that... do i lose my mind without my phone??? from time to time yes, but that is because so much of my daily life outside of talking/texting/social media is on there... i also have an 8 year old daughter... her dad (whom i have not been with for years) feels she needs a cell phone... HELL NO!!!! with the way things are with the world today, my daughter does not and will not be going anywhere without an adult any time soon... maybe when shes about 15 she MIGHT be able to go places without an adult.. at that point, i may consider getting her a cell phone, but nothing fancy... 90% of these teenagers i see now have no respect, no manners, no appreciation for anything they have or how they got it... makes me want to slap every one of em!!! parents need to wake up and start tellin their kids NO or at least make them earn what they have... my daughter has anything and everything she wants and needs... shes spoiled and she knows it... but, shes a well behaved, well mannered, helpful, respectful a/b student who knows if she slips, she wont b spoiled anymore... we do understand she is still a child and we dont have ridiculous expectations for her, but she does deserve what she has and she earns what she gets... that should be a basis for these kids now having a cellphone... of any type...
oh wow... this subject again... here we go...
i didnt get my first cell phone until i was 18... it was in my name, it was my responsibility... when i didnt pay the bill, it got shut off... i learned my lesson the first time and when i decided it was time for me to have a cell phone i got what i could afford and made sure to keep the bill paid... i know times have changed since i was a teenager, but i got along just fine hanging out without a cell phone... my mom knew my friends, she knew where i was goin, and she could always find me... she did end up getting me a pager (YES pagers were the thing then) and the rule was if she paged, i better call back immediatly, and everyone knew that... it worked... i went on school trips, i went to southern california on a band trip and did JUST FINE without a cell phone...
now unfortunately times have changed... i do have a cell phone, and yes it is a smartphone... i use my phone for EVERYTHING!!! my bank app is there, my pharmacy, i have medical history, a phonebook, my GPS, EVERYTHING is there!!! it comes in handy AND it drives me nuts... i did get my phone when verizon had unlimited internet available, so i was lucky on that... do i lose my mind without my phone??? from time to time yes, but that is because so much of my daily life outside of talking/texting/social media is on there... i also have an 8 year old daughter... her dad (whom i have not been with for years) feels she needs a cell phone... HELL NO!!!! with the way things are with the world today, my daughter does not and will not be going anywhere without an adult any time soon... maybe when shes about 15 she MIGHT be able to go places without an adult.. at that point, i may consider getting her a cell phone, but nothing fancy... 90% of these teenagers i see now have no respect, no manners, no appreciation for anything they have or how they got it... makes me want to slap every one of em!!! parents need to wake up and start tellin their kids NO or at least make them earn what they have... my daughter has anything and everything she wants and needs... shes spoiled and she knows it... but, shes a well behaved, well mannered, helpful, respectful a/b student who knows if she slips, she wont b spoiled anymore... we do understand she is still a child and we dont have ridiculous expectations for her, but she does deserve what she has and she earns what she gets... that should be a basis for these kids now having a cellphone... of any type...
I did not allow my kids to have cell phones.....I don't think they need them. If they wanted their own then they got a job when they were old enough..and bought their own phone and paid their own bill. Kids nowadays are way to spoiled. They do not need every new gadget that comes along.
advertisement
tech
Give them the unlocked Smartphones, like 4.3'' or 5'' capacitive touch 3G Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich Smartphones, Contract Free, work with any GSM carriers, use with or without Data Plan, dual core 1GHz CPU, only $150 on KooBay