Both my kids have phones. 3rd and 6th grade. It's for when they go to friends houses so I can keep up on where they are. It does help. Plus in case anything happens, I know that they can call me or the police. With kidnappings these days, a kid can never be too prepared. They have trac phones, so it's minutes only but they still get the responsibility of having a phone.
If they take the bus, walk home from school, walk to school, play sports, sleep at friends houses. These days a phone is a good idea. A. They can call you/911. B. You can actually track them in the case of an emergency.
Friendly advice for adults, but especially tell your kids. When calling 911 over a mobile phone, keep in mind your call is sending signals through the air and the tower that picks up your call may or may not be nearby. This is unlike calling from a home phone/landline phone. When calling from a mobile phone, responders will most likely not be able to determine your address/location like they can with a landline phone. Teach your children to immediately tell the dispatcher the CITY they are in and if possible, their exact location (street signs, businesses etc. ) and type of emergency. Mobile 911 calls could route to a REGIONAL dispatcher and with proper location information (city at minimum), they can re-route your call to the LOCAL authorities. If you are at home and there is an emergency, always always use your landline phone (if you have one) before picking up your mobile phone.
I didn't get my son a phone til he was in 7th grade as he would get off the bus before I could get home from work. I agree that it's a little soon, but can completely justify it for times that you may not be there with her. Especially since pay phones are so hard to find. For example, Let's say, a simple bike-ride to the park. To know she can get a hold of you at any time helps you both feel a touch more secure, yet enables her to try out and earn more responsibility. Even if you drop her off at the movies, play-date, etc, she can call you to be picked up or if there's an issue. I wouldn't get her one without having a clear understanding of the rules though--including that she must answer the phone if you call her, or she loses the phone. I'd also let her have a trial-period, to insure she's being responsible with it. If not, it gets put away until she can be. I would also pay for a portion of the minutes as a parent, but make her pay for a portion, so she understands that these things cost, and so that if she uses up minutes/texts with friends that it will cost HER. She can pay thru her allowance/doing chores. Maybe put together a contract for her to sign so she understands what happens if she mis-uses, loses it, etc. Definitely get a cheap pay-as-you-go phone, as these things have a habit of getting lost/broken/stole, etc. I know this is a hard call--no youngster "needs" a phone, and yet, if you work this right, you can make it work to your benefit while teaching her responsible behavior at the same time. With the crazy things happening in this world, when you and your child need to talk, you want that access.
My daughter has a cheap phone, got one last year in 4th grade. She hates it and wants an iPhone like most of the kids have which I think is absolutely ridiculous.
I got phone when I was 17 lol it was old huge brick. Times changed. Phones r handy and needed. My daughter wanted one since she was probably in 1st grade. she is in 4th now ( but she's born in Dec so she'll be 10 this yr) and we got her the Samsung J7. Right before school started. She walks to school ( across street) but she's often at friends. She also stays home sometimes so I can call n txt to check on her. Also she does Musically app videos and other games. Plays Pokémon go with her dad . I was so against phone but I think 3rd /4th grade is the earliest I'd get one. And if you feel they won't need one then don't get it . ( we have family plan 3 lines from boost mobile pay $90 so it's not bad. we used to b on shrinkage plan $80/2 phones so we just pay $10 more for unlimited talk/text n 10gb data that slows down after limit uses but still works) I would not get a line for her if I had to pay much more
Depends on your family situation. My son is in 5th grade and I'm getting him a phone because I am the only one responsible for picking him up and may be late coming from work. Also I have no way to reach him when he goes to his father's house every other week because his father doesn't always answer me and I'd rather not have to text him anyway. It's your kid, your decision but please don't judge others for their decisions.
Goodness I don't think anyone is judging all mama's are just trying to do their best absolutely look and gather information but always do what's best for you and your babies (big kids! Lol)
Our neighbor is 12 and got one this summer so his mom could use Find my iPhone to track him on his bike rides to other neighborhoods. Most of his friends live about 2 miles away.
I'm not a parent, but I remember when my dad got me a cell phone. (8th grade) he set up my phone so I could only call him and 911. Not sure if the companies can still do that.
25 Comments:
Too early in my opinion.
Both my kids have phones. 3rd and 6th grade. It's for when they go to friends houses so I can keep up on where they are. It does help. Plus in case anything happens, I know that they can call me or the police. With kidnappings these days, a kid can never be too prepared. They have trac phones, so it's minutes only but they still get the responsibility of having a phone.
6th grade Pay as you go
My kids got them for 8th grade graduation, I feel like anyone younger than that is pretty much always with an adult near by
If they take the bus, walk home from school, walk to school, play sports, sleep at friends houses. These days a phone is a good idea. A. They can call you/911. B. You can actually track them in the case of an emergency.
Gizmo pal watch from verizon. only $5 a month and it is one touch dialing for 3 numbers
Friendly advice for adults, but especially tell your kids. When calling 911 over a mobile phone, keep in mind your call is sending signals through the air and the tower that picks up your call may or may not be nearby. This is unlike calling from a home phone/landline phone. When calling from a mobile phone, responders will most likely not be able to determine your address/location like they can with a landline phone. Teach your children to immediately tell the dispatcher the CITY they are in and if possible, their exact location (street signs, businesses etc. ) and type of emergency. Mobile 911 calls could route to a REGIONAL dispatcher and with proper location information (city at minimum), they can re-route your call to the LOCAL authorities. If you are at home and there is an emergency, always always use your landline phone (if you have one) before picking up your mobile phone.
I didn't get my son a phone til he was in 7th grade as he would get off the bus before I could get home from work. I agree that it's a little soon, but can completely justify it for times that you may not be there with her. Especially since pay phones are so hard to find. For example, Let's say, a simple bike-ride to the park. To know she can get a hold of you at any time helps you both feel a touch more secure, yet enables her to try out and earn more responsibility. Even if you drop her off at the movies, play-date, etc, she can call you to be picked up or if there's an issue. I wouldn't get her one without having a clear understanding of the rules though--including that she must answer the phone if you call her, or she loses the phone. I'd also let her have a trial-period, to insure she's being responsible with it. If not, it gets put away until she can be. I would also pay for a portion of the minutes as a parent, but make her pay for a portion, so she understands that these things cost, and so that if she uses up minutes/texts with friends that it will cost HER. She can pay thru her allowance/doing chores. Maybe put together a contract for her to sign so she understands what happens if she mis-uses, loses it, etc. Definitely get a cheap pay-as-you-go phone, as these things have a habit of getting lost/broken/stole, etc. I know this is a hard call--no youngster "needs" a phone, and yet, if you work this right, you can make it work to your benefit while teaching her responsible behavior at the same time. With the crazy things happening in this world, when you and your child need to talk, you want that access.
6th grade
Honestly, who cares when the other kids got theirs? Does yours "need" one? Are they responsible enough?
My daughter has a cheap phone, got one last year in 4th grade. She hates it and wants an iPhone like most of the kids have which I think is absolutely ridiculous.
I got phone when I was 17 lol it was old huge brick. Times changed. Phones r handy and needed. My daughter wanted one since she was probably in 1st grade. she is in 4th now ( but she's born in Dec so she'll be 10 this yr) and we got her the Samsung J7. Right before school started. She walks to school ( across street) but she's often at friends. She also stays home sometimes so I can call n txt to check on her. Also she does Musically app videos and other games. Plays Pokémon go with her dad . I was so against phone but I think 3rd /4th grade is the earliest I'd get one. And if you feel they won't need one then don't get it . ( we have family plan 3 lines from boost mobile pay $90 so it's not bad. we used to b on shrinkage plan $80/2 phones so we just pay $10 more for unlimited talk/text n 10gb data that slows down after limit uses but still works) I would not get a line for her if I had to pay much more
My kids got them in 8th grade. And they were the only ones who didn't have them at the time.
As a former 5th grade teacher, I'd say somewhere around 1/2 of my classroom had phones--that I knew about.
My son got one at the very end of 6th grade for his birthday in June. He was 12.
Depends on your family situation. My son is in 5th grade and I'm getting him a phone because I am the only one responsible for picking him up and may be late coming from work. Also I have no way to reach him when he goes to his father's house every other week because his father doesn't always answer me and I'd rather not have to text him anyway. It's your kid, your decision but please don't judge others for their decisions.
Goodness I don't think anyone is judging all mama's are just trying to do their best absolutely look and gather information but always do what's best for you and your babies (big kids! Lol)
6th grade
I think once they are walking home alone from school or playing outside a bit further from home is a good time
When you do decide on a phone, know that most kids (high schoolers included) will crack the screen. Some will do worse. Insure it as best you can.
6th grade
Our neighbor is 12 and got one this summer so his mom could use Find my iPhone to track him on his bike rides to other neighborhoods. Most of his friends live about 2 miles away.
Wait a minute! Wasn't she just sleeping in a wagon in the costume room? How did this happen?! :-)
My 2nd grader has a gizmo
I'm not a parent, but I remember when my dad got me a cell phone. (8th grade) he set up my phone so I could only call him and 911. Not sure if the companies can still do that.