Cell phone debate

[acruce]

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

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

[G G]

absolutely not.

[acruce]

He will be 10

[Tripp]

I'm with Mean D.

[Emjaysmash]

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]

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

[taltos]

Probably no need for a cell phone.

[floydpink]

if you do, block texting.

[Starscream]

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]

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.

[T.G]

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]

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.

[Eleven]

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.

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.

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]

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.

[junkinduck]

A 10 yo doesn't need a phone. And if your house is like mine if momma aint happy no ones happy. Don't go aginst momma.

[acruce]

Originally Posted by junkinduck

A 10 yo doesn't need a phone. And if your house is like mine if momma aint happy no ones happy. Don't go aginst momma.

Aint that the truth.

[bvilchez]

I say no. My sister gave my nephews phone at the age of 12 to each of them. At that age you can say that children are very immature, and many are, but not in this case.

They have texting on their phone but believe it or not have never used it.....I find it not to be true either but then she showed me the phone bill.


I believe it is too young. He might be upset at you for not getting him a phone but oh well...tough luck!!! You and your wife make the decisions around the house. I know that we want to please our children and give them whatever they want...sometimes. But at that age I believe they will not comprehend the responsibility of a cell phone.