Kids and Cell Phones

[angela515]

What age do you think a child should have a cell phone? I'm thinking of getting my kids a cell phone from www.fireflymobile.com that specifically has a button they press that dials mom or dad if they need to talk to us. My kids are 5 and 6, they know how to use the phones around the house and my cell phone. Their father lives in Las Vegas, so if they want to talk to him they have to call him, or he has to call them. As for me, I'm in the hospital alot, and when i am not I have Dr appointments that require me to be gone all day to attend b/c we live so far from town, also i plan on getting a job soon, so I want them to be able to have a way to contact me, and they obviously cant be calling my employer.

I just wanted some feedback from other parents. My sister in law agrees with me and she is planning on getting her oldest daughter one of these phones also, her daughter is 5 turning 6 in October.

I am trying to decide between the www.fireflymobile.com phone, which has the easy "Mom" and "Dad" buttons on them, or the www.disneymobile.com phones which you can monitor from online when they can and cannot make calls, i.e. in school, and such, and they have a GPS tracking system where you can log in the account online and see where they are at anytime by the GPS locater on the phone.

[Sluff]

I gave a cell phone to my son with restrictions at 14yrs old. It is for me not him. keeping the apron strings tight.

[angela515]

I agree sluff... now go look at the sites and tell which one u think is best for a child.. i like the disney mobile one b/c u can control when they can make calls or not, like if they are in school you can turn there calling priveleges off, you manage the phone account online...

[carolyn77531]

i just gave Jessica a cell phone shes 15.....you did alote of research....you should go with disney...i like the idea that you can control the phone.....

[Joe Paul]

I got my daughter one at 13 years. Like sluff says, limitations of course. There are a couple kids here around 5-6 who have the firefly, their parents swear by them, always able to get in touch. Never heard of the Disney phone, sounds like it may be a better phone so far as control goes.

[okarol]

Hi Angela,
My son is 12 and got a cell phone a couple weeks ago for his birthday. Since I have been gone a lot because of the transplant, he needed to be able to call people for rides to school and sports. His dad blocked text messaging because the kids his age go crazy with that stuff. I think the basic young kids models are great. The problem is that little kids seem to misplace them often, so I'm not sure how to keep that from happening.
Karol

[angela515]

I was thinking about getting something to hook on it to wear around the neck, I think it comes with as an accessory, but I would have them leave it at home during school, as if they needed me during school, the school would call me. For now I dont think they would need to wear it 24/7 or have it on them like an adult, ya know? So while they do have it, they could wear it like a necklace type of thing, and I will explain to them its not a toy phone and they have to use it like mommys phone, only when they really need it. And of course it will be the only way they can talk to their daddy.

[glitter]

I don't know, if they just kept it in their room and it was mainly for dad to call-so you do not have to deal with him-that actually sounds really cool.....
but other then that-where i live my kids were never out of my sight unless they were at school,until at least 8 or 9 years old when they could ride their bike around the block in the evenings...but I was usually outside then too...when is a 5 or 6 year old away from its parent, or another adult watching them?

 My 15 year old uses mine sometimes when she is at a friends house, or at an event. I have not bought her one yet.

[angela515]

I don't know, if they just kept it in their room and it was mainly for dad to call-so you do not have to deal with him-that actually sounds really cool.....
but other then that-where i live my kids were never out of my sight unless they were at school,until at least 8 or 9 years old when they could ride their bike around the block in the evenings...but I was usually outside then too...when is a 5 or 6 year old away from its parent, or another adult watching them?

 My 15 year old uses mine sometimes when she is at a friends house, or at an event. I have not bought her one yet.

They are never alone, but they are with grandma and papa alot when im in the hospital or at dr's appointments... and soon when I start working. So, when they want to talk to me, I want them to be able to just dial, they shouldnt need to wait until papa or grandma have time to call me or have to ask to call me... plus its an act of responsibilit they can learn while just calling mommy when they want to talk to me. Also the issue of talking to their dad is another reason for the phone.

[Falkenbach]

I think these kids' phones (without really looking at the links) are a very good idea. They can't just make unrestricted calls and get you in trouble financially, but they are still able to contact you when in need or in an emergency. That piece of mind is worth anything you can afford to pay for it! It could well save their lives.

I am not a parent but if I was, I'm sure I could not get by without that piece of mind.

[jedimaster]

Mi kid is 16 and has no cell phone...if he needs one he can use mine or my wife's.

[angela515]

Mi kid is 16 and has no cell phone...if he needs one he can use mine or my wife's.

I never had a cell phone until I was an adult, but if I could go back in time, I would demand one, and my mom said she wishes she could go back and give us one, there was so many situations where we could of used one.

 

[kitkatz]

I got my kids a cell phone when they were in high school. I would do it now in junior high and even younger, because there are some dangerous people in this world and your child needs some way to protect themselves.  They can have the phones with only certain numbers they can call at any time and a certain number of minutes are prepaid.  A phone call can be reassuring when crisis happen at a school.  A cell phone can also be  a pain in the butt in the classroom if students have them turned on. I am always offering to call home for my students when I see a phone out in my classroom.  They put them away awful damn quick!

[angela515]

Very true kitkatz, that's why i'm thinking of getting the Disney Mobile phone b/c if for some reason I would let them take the cell to school, I control wether they have access to dial out or not.. 

[glitter]

well that gps thing is pretty cool too-if someone ever snatched them-it mighthelp the police find them quickly too....

[waitlisted]

FYI

in my home country over 90% of 15 year olds and about 70% of 10 year olds have a cell phone.
More and more of kids are having a cell phone, when they are starting the school at 7.

[Falkenbach]

I think it's important to differentiate between cell phones and the emergency kids' models. The kids models have all sorts of restrictions and controls on them - e.g. kids can only phone a few designated numbers and emergency numbers. It's not the same as having a standard cell phone that they can ring people on, all day long, with no specific need.

I wouldn't like my young child having a standard cell phone (I feel weird saying that, we call them "mobile phones") - but I would INSIST they have on of the kids' models.

[angela515]

I think it's important to differentiate between cell phones and the emergency kids' models. The kids models have all sorts of restrictions and controls on them - e.g. kids can only phone a few designated numbers and emergency numbers. It's not the same as having a standard cell phone that they can ring people on, all day long, with no specific need.

I wouldn't like my young child having a standard cell phone (I feel weird saying that, we call them "mobile phones") - but I would INSIST they have on of the kids' models.

I did mention they were kid's models. 

[George Jung]

I sometimes hate being attached to and relying on mobile contact.  The more technology we rely on and depend on the lazier we tend to get(as an individual and a society).  Personally I would not give a 5 year old that burden.  Give the kids their childhood without todays strings attached.  Do you really NEED GPS for a child?  Why not put a micro chip in them like we do for lost dogs and such?  I agree technology is great and I enjoy seeing the latest and greatest, but to introduce these to a child is unfair, unnecessary, and in some ways it is doing them an injustice.  What are you going to use GPS for?  Seems completely unnecessary.  I had no problem learning responsibility without a CELL PHONE (I don't think I learned it at 5 yrs old though) and as long as I was being looked out for by a mature responsible adult.  As for not having to wait for grandma or papa to call mom......Don't they need to learn patience, and respect for elders?  How many times is there an emergency when a cell phone is the only means of communication?  Wait until they are teenagers before introducing them to this burden.  It sounds like you feel guilty because you are so busy and you want to compensate for it by giving innocent 5 and 6 year olds a cell phone.  It seems that you already have your mind made up but you asked for opinions, so, although I am not a parent, I think it is a bad idea.

[angela515]

I sometimes hate being attached to and relying on mobile contact.  The more technology we rely on and depend on the lazier we tend to get(as an individual and a society).  Personally I would not give a 5 year old that burden.  Give the kids their childhood without todays strings attached.  Do you really NEED GPS for a child?  Why not put a micro chip in them like we do for lost dogs and such?  I agree technology is great and I enjoy seeing the latest and greatest, but to introduce these to a child is unfair, unnecessary, and in some ways it is doing them an injustice.  What are you going to use GPS for?  Seems completely unnecessary.  I had no problem learning responsibility without a CELL PHONE (I don't think I learned it at 5 yrs old though) and as long as I was being looked out for by a mature responsible adult.  As for not having to wait for grandma or papa to call mom......Don't they need to learn patience, and respect for elders?  How many times is there an emergency when a cell phone is the only means of communication?  Wait until they are teenagers before introducing them to this burden.  It sounds like you feel guilty because you are so busy and you want to compensate for it by giving innocent 5 and 6 year olds a cell phone.  It seems that you already have your mind made up but you asked for opinions, so, although I am not a parent, I think it is a bad idea.

I never once said I *needed* GPS, I said it was an awesome feature that already came with it. A cell phone is not a burden and my kids asked for one before I even thought about getting them one... I have no doubt they can learn responsibility just fine without a cell phone, and thats not the reason there getting one, its just an added bonus. My children have excellent manners for their elders, tyvm, and as for paience they are great at waiting also... *I* said they shouldn't HAVE to wait to speak to their mom. I never said the cell phone was to only use in an emergency, I said due to our living situation it would be helpful. Again, a cell phone isn't a burden, IMHO, so we shall agree to disagree on that. I don't feel guilty one bit, i'm never too busy for my kids, seeing how I spend all my free time with them, since i'm not working at the moment. The cell phone is for them to #1 call me when they so choose, as I spend alot of time at the hospital since my transplant, and I like my kids to be able to call if they want, and where we live, we rely on cell phones as we do not have a house phone. #2, I also mentioned it's for them to be able to speak to their dad, and for their dad to be able to call them. Their dad lives in Las Vegas, we live in Iowa, so a phone is their only way to communicate with their father.

Yes I have made my mind up, but I respect and wanted other's opinions on it. So thank you George, we may disagree but I can also understand what your saying hun. Me and my sister in law spoke about this for hours and both decided to get out children the cell's due to our situations it would be best. I agree though if we lived in the city and had a house phone and so on and blah blah, I might not get them a cell until they were a little bit older.

 

[Sluff]

I like the Disney phone also. I don't think it's a convenience thing, I think it's a necessity. technology advances can make us lazy in some form but I don't see the connection when it comes to phones and instant access to Mom and Dad or Grandparents or the Police.

The only thing that drives me nuts is my son keeps changing ringer tones and wallpaper everyday like it's a toy, but it really is not something to let bother me. When he leaves the house he calls when he gets to where he is going, and he calls when he leaves on his way home.

[angela515]

  sluff, my mom and dad used to get annoyed by me changing my ringer all the time too. 

[Wattle]

Hi Angela,

My daughter is about to turn 13 and is getting a moblie phone for her birthday (its a surprise- she thinks her dad said NO). She thinks she is the last kid in the universe to get a phone. We decided to get her one for a few reasons: Firstly there is the safety issue, she has just started a new school and is getting herself there and home. Secondly she is venturing out with friends more and I like to keep track of where she is and if she needs to be picked up. Thirdly, kids today use their phones and texting as a social tool. She feels she is 'left out of the loop' so to speak by not having a phone. It will be on a very tight reign. I have set it up so she can call us (mum & dad) for free with 100 free text per month. I will feel she is safer having a phone and as Sluff said I like those apron strings pulled tight   .

I think it is a good idea to be able to call your kids from the hospital and them call you, without going through Grandma. Its hard being a parent who is sick and can't be there all the time, I really understand that. The added bonus is their Dad can also ring them without talking to you. I personally like the look of the Disney phone (we don't have it here) but I love Disney  I'm a big kid!
As long as you can control the money side of it, I say go for it!
I hope my  helps.           

[Sluff]

Angela just a hint maybe Dad can pay for half if he wants to talk to your children? Just posing an option for your budget.

[goofynina]

I would like to share my experience with giving a 14 year old a cell phone.   We drilled my 14 year old Goddaughter, Li'l Susie, for 6 months (before she graduated from 8th grade)  we drilled her on how to NOT exceed minutes, NOT to give her number out to too many people, NOT to use it during the day, OH and let me tell you, before we purchased the phone she was drilled even more, so, we figured she was ready, YAH RIGHT, so we thought,  our bill for 3 phones ran roughly around $130.00 a month, we had that for for almost 2 years UNTIL we bought our precious Li'l Susie her phone,  our first bill with her phone was $1,647.00  yep yep,  she used that phone almost every minute of every day, so, if your going to get a kid a phone prepare yourselves cuz no matter how much you tell them, THEY DONT LISTEN.....