Cell phone debate

acruce · 03-19-2010, 08:28 PM

My son wants a a cell phone for his tenth birthday in May. I don't really have a problem with it but my wife does. What do you think

03-19-2010, 08:30 PM

Hell no. What's a 10 yr old need a cell phone for?

G G · 03-19-2010, 08:30 PM

absolutely not.

acruce · 03-19-2010, 08:31 PM

He will be 10

Tripp · 03-19-2010, 08:34 PM

I'm with Mean D.

Emjaysmash · 03-19-2010, 08:37 PM

Same as everyone else. A ten year old doesnt need a cellphone, unless he constantly gets into situations where there are emergencies.
If you must get him a cellphone, get him one of those phone with only 4 buttons, all preprogrammed in. Otherwise, I'd buy him a videogame. lol

Salvelinus · 03-19-2010, 08:44 PM

Get him a couple cups and string. Let him know that as he gets older you will continue to upgrade it.

taltos · 03-19-2010, 08:53 PM

Probably no need for a cell phone.

floydpink · 03-19-2010, 08:57 PM

if you do, block texting.

Starscream · 03-19-2010, 09:00 PM

I voted no, but having a kids phone/Disney phone, in which the user can only call certain people would not be a bad idea. But your 10yr old will probably hate it.

forgop · 03-19-2010, 09:05 PM

The only cell phone a 10 year old needs is the junk phone you've taken out the SIM card when you upgrade to a new one. Otherwise, if you go forward with it, do it only under the premise of having to pay for it with his own allowance and when he doesn't earn the amount needed to pay it, you repossess said phone.

I'm questioning why you are even considering it though.

MedicCook · 03-19-2010, 10:59 PM

My feelings is he is 10 y/o. A 10 y/o does not need a cell phone.

Neuromancer · 03-20-2010, 01:04 AM

A cell phone at 10 years old opens a whole can of worms...that's when they start getting into trouble and hiding things from you and a cell phone will only exacerbate the problem...

T.G · 03-19-2010, 09:08 PM

If you get him a phone, consider getting one that has GPS tracking in it so you know where his phone, and hopefully he, is.

Disclaimer: I don't have any kids so take the above soley at face value and not from experience.

JE3146 · 03-19-2010, 09:15 PM

I had one at age 14, but never used it at all till I turned 17.. then I became addicted to it.

Honestly the longer you wait before introducing it the better off you'll be, but there's a fine line between that and the need to get ahold of him for emergency reasons and/or just needing a form of contact.

Where that line is drawn is ultimately up to you, but at 10... I think it's too young.

I agree with the above though. Disable txting, internet, all that crap IF you decide to get it.

03-19-2010, 09:26 PM

Get him a child cell phone. They have many, Check out CNet and your wireless carrier.

CNet Kids Cell Phone Reviews

It's good to let your kid have a phone as long as you have complete control over it.

If something happens and it may be the only way he can get in touch with mom and dad.

Thank hard about it first.

Eleven · 03-19-2010, 09:19 PM

We have an extra one on our plan, and gave it to our 11 year old son for hockey weekends when we may be separated. Sometimes he stays at other hockey players houses, team mom will take em somewhere, or we'll stay at the hotel while he does things with the team.

It didnt take too long and he lost it. Now to be honest some other boys on the team have lost phones this year too, but my wife's number one objection was that she knew he was gonna lose it and he did.

It was gone in a matter of a 15 minute walk from a restaurant to the rink, we re-traced that route several times over the weekend but nothing.

Only really bad thing about it was that if anyone found it that day before we had a chance to shut the line down could have made calls to just about anywhere. We'll know when we get the bill I suppose.

You asked for opinions, here is mine: 10 is too young. In my sons case, 11 was too young. He'll be lucky to get another one until he gets a job.

03-19-2010, 09:47 PM

That age seems very young to me (but I've never had any kids). Maybe this could be some kind of responsibility learning experience for him.

BlackDog · 03-19-2010, 09:50 PM

What good can come from a 10 y/o with a phone? None that I can think of. We don't permit our kids to have a phone until they're 16. And even then, I'm not sure it's a real good thing.

03-22-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackDog

What good can come from a 10 y/o with a phone? None that I can think of. We don't permit our kids to have a phone until they're 16. And even then, I'm not sure it's a real good thing.

Same rule as in our house. Thery won't get them until they're 16, and they will be paying for it themselves with monet from their job. The We'd only pay for it if they're in after school sports, and will need us to come get them. That would include a very limited calling only service. No reason for a kid to have one, IMO. They should be with parents or reachable by a parent's (either theirs or a friends parent) phone at that age anyways.

View Poll Results: should I get him a phone
Yes	12	15.58%
No	65	84.42%
Voters: 77. You may not vote on this poll

03-19-2010, 08:28 PM	#1
acruce Just killing Time Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andy Location: Venus TX Posts: 1,114 Trading: (1)	Cell phone debate My son wants a a cell phone for his tenth birthday in May. I don't really have a problem with it but my wife does. What do you think __________________ LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST~SMOKE AS MANY FINE CIGARS AS POSSIBLE ~ SMILE ~ IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD!!

03-19-2010, 08:30 PM	#2
Darrell Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cell phone debate Hell no. What's a 10 yr old need a cell phone for?

03-19-2010, 08:30 PM	#3
G G BR549 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: Taylor, FL. Posts: 12,725 Trading: (10)	Re: Cell phone debate absolutely not.

03-19-2010, 08:31 PM	#4
acruce Just killing Time Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andy Location: Venus TX Posts: 1,114 Trading: (1)	Re: Cell phone debate He will be 10 __________________ LIVE LIFE TO THE FULLEST~SMOKE AS MANY FINE CIGARS AS POSSIBLE ~ SMILE ~ IT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD!!

03-19-2010, 08:34 PM	#5
Tripp Pepin Ho of the NorthWest Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Tripp Location: Portland, OR Posts: 487 Trading: (5)	Re: Cell phone debate I'm with Mean D. __________________ Make sure you visit the chat! Newcomers welcome. Pete_Johnson: Tripp get the ** out of here with that bull** Benchmade. C'mon Son!

03-19-2010, 08:37 PM	#6
Emjaysmash The Hebrew Hammer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: M.J. Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 7,025 Trading: (76)	Re: Cell phone debate Same as everyone else. A ten year old doesnt need a cellphone, unless he constantly gets into situations where there are emergencies. If you must get him a cellphone, get him one of those phone with only 4 buttons, all preprogrammed in. Otherwise, I'd buy him a videogame. lol __________________

03-19-2010, 08:44 PM	#7
Salvelinus Have My Own Room Join Date: Dec 2009 First Name: Brendan Location: Vermont Posts: 1,116 Trading: (12)	Re: Cell phone debate Get him a couple cups and string. Let him know that as he gets older you will continue to upgrade it.

03-19-2010, 08:53 PM	#8
taltos Really, really old Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Paul Location: Saugus, MA Posts: 2,486 Trading: (3)	Re: Cell phone debate Probably no need for a cell phone. __________________ Jimmy, some of its magic, some of its tragic, but I had a good life all the way. He Went to Paris, J. Buffett

03-19-2010, 08:57 PM	#9
floydpink crazy diamond Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Pete Location: Orlando Posts: 1,955 Trading: (17)	Re: Cell phone debate if you do, block texting. __________________ "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane"

03-19-2010, 09:00 PM	#10
Starscream Knowhutimean, Vern? Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Andy Location: In a little town somewhere in the USA Posts: 10,237 Trading: (4)	Re: Cell phone debate I voted no, but having a kids phone/Disney phone, in which the user can only call certain people would not be a bad idea. But your 10yr old will probably hate it. __________________ Insert quote here.

03-19-2010, 09:05 PM	#11
forgop Not a puffer Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Duane Location: Indianapolis, IN Posts: 2,869 Trading: (40)	Re: Cell phone debate The only cell phone a 10 year old needs is the junk phone you've taken out the SIM card when you upgrade to a new one. Otherwise, if you go forward with it, do it only under the premise of having to pay for it with his own allowance and when he doesn't earn the amount needed to pay it, you repossess said phone. I'm questioning why you are even considering it though.

03-19-2010, 10:59 PM	#12
MedicCook Mila smoked my cigar Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Ryan Location: Schaghticoke, NY Posts: 10,946 Trading: (7)	Re: Cell phone debate My feelings is he is 10 y/o. A 10 y/o does not need a cell phone. __________________ 27 World Series Championship's "If your wife doesn't like the aroma of your cigar, change your wife.", Zino Davidoff

03-20-2010, 01:04 AM	#13
Neuromancer Will work for Boli GM's Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Marc Location: Lost in translation...near Newnan, GA Posts: 1,417 Trading: (23)	Re: Cell phone debate A cell phone at 10 years old opens a whole can of worms...that's when they start getting into trouble and hiding things from you and a cell phone will only exacerbate the problem... __________________ "...pipe smoking is properly an intellectual exercise." ~ Christopher Morley, 1916

03-19-2010, 09:08 PM	#14
T.G Grrrrrr Join Date: Mar 2009 First Name: The Other Adam Posts: 15,557 Trading: (37)	Re: Cell phone debate If you get him a phone, consider getting one that has GPS tracking in it so you know where his phone, and hopefully he, is. Disclaimer: I don't have any kids so take the above soley at face value and not from experience.

03-19-2010, 09:15 PM	#15
JE3146 Jordan #2 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Jordan Location: Tigard, OR Posts: 2,115 Trading: (26)	Re: Cell phone debate I had one at age 14, but never used it at all till I turned 17.. then I became addicted to it. Honestly the longer you wait before introducing it the better off you'll be, but there's a fine line between that and the need to get ahold of him for emergency reasons and/or just needing a form of contact. Where that line is drawn is ultimately up to you, but at 10... I think it's too young. I agree with the above though. Disable txting, internet, all that crap IF you decide to get it.

03-19-2010, 09:26 PM	#16
yellowgoat Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cell phone debate Get him a child cell phone. They have many, Check out CNet and your wireless carrier. CNet Kids Cell Phone Reviews It's good to let your kid have a phone as long as you have complete control over it. If something happens and it may be the only way he can get in touch with mom and dad. Thank hard about it first.

03-19-2010, 09:19 PM	#17
Eleven Solid As The Sun Join Date: Aug 2009 First Name: Scott Location: SW Ohio Posts: 1,859 Trading: (23)	Re: Cell phone debate We have an extra one on our plan, and gave it to our 11 year old son for hockey weekends when we may be separated. Sometimes he stays at other hockey players houses, team mom will take em somewhere, or we'll stay at the hotel while he does things with the team. It didnt take too long and he lost it. Now to be honest some other boys on the team have lost phones this year too, but my wife's number one objection was that she knew he was gonna lose it and he did. It was gone in a matter of a 15 minute walk from a restaurant to the rink, we re-traced that route several times over the weekend but nothing. Only really bad thing about it was that if anyone found it that day before we had a chance to shut the line down could have made calls to just about anywhere. We'll know when we get the bill I suppose. You asked for opinions, here is mine: 10 is too young. In my sons case, 11 was too young. He'll be lucky to get another one until he gets a job. __________________ CA: putting the 'man' in bromance since 2008! --markem.

03-19-2010, 09:47 PM	#18
catfish2 Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Cell phone debate That age seems very young to me (but I've never had any kids). Maybe this could be some kind of responsibility learning experience for him.

03-19-2010, 09:50 PM	#19
BlackDog Gonna make you groove... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Warren Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,468 Trading: (19)	Re: Cell phone debate What good can come from a 10 y/o with a phone? None that I can think of. We don't permit our kids to have a phone until they're 16. And even then, I'm not sure it's a real good thing. __________________ "We live in the good of this."