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Is a Cell Phone a Must for Preteens?
By Mother | September 21, 2007
“But mom … all my friends have one. How come I don’t?” This is a common line you will hear from preteens with no cell phone. According to statistics and the avalanche of commercials on TV, every child should have a cell phone. In fact, the entire family should have cell phones. But, the question is: Does your preteen really need a cell phone?
In the past, cell phones were used for emergency purposes only. But now, they are slowly replacing regular land lines. The cell phones now a days are used as personal computers. Kids use it for emailing, text massaging, taking pictures and videos and even listening to music. It seems that the whole concept of cell phones has changed dramatically. Sometimes, I think that cell phones are more of a luxury than a necessity especially for teens.
Are all these peripherals necessary for a preteen? They would undoubtedly tell you yes, but the truth of the matter is a cell phone should only be used in an emergency, nothing more, and nothing less. Try giving your preteen that explanation and see how they respond to that statement.
If you ever decide to get a cell phone for your preteen, my advise is for you to check out the many family plans available. These plans are affordable and some of them allow the parents to control the usage of the phone. I personally choose the simplest and least expensive phone for my teens - only because I feel that they need a phone so they can call me for emergencies and I can contact them when I need to. But, I hate seeing them “on the phone” always texting, taking photos or even listening to music. What upsets me most is when I catch them on their cell phone when they are not supposed to be using it. They assume that it is their personal phone line and that their friends can just call them whenever they choose to. I do not want them to treat their cell phone like it’s a must in their life.
So, should your preteen have a cell phone? Well, it’s all up to you.
Topics: General ChitChat |
September 22nd, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Are you sure you’re not eavesdropping in my house? LOL! We have had many a conversation with our 10 yr old about the difference between “wanting” and “needing” a cell phone. It all goes in one ear and out the other and we are the meanest parents on earth because every other 5th grader “in the school” has a cell phone. How do we get them to appreciate what they actually HAVE rather than to always dream about what they DON’T have????
September 22nd, 2007 at 1:29 pm
Isn’t it crazy Christina? My 9 year old boy wants one too because his big sister (16 yo) and big brother (15 yo) have one each - because they are in highschool. I just keep on telling him - not now … when you are older. It’s funny how when I go to his school, I notice little kids like 2nd graders having cell phones. It is hard to get them to appreciate what they have … and you are not alone - we too are the meanest parents in town - welcome to the club!
September 22nd, 2007 at 2:41 pm
Why does a teen need a cell period? My parents always told me I can have (almost) anything I want when I obtain a job and pay for it myself. I will not allow my kids to have cells unless - they have a job and pay for it. I already provide a landline, I’m not going to provide a means for them to yap (on a cell) while paying for it too. No, I don’t think teens or preteens need cells. I’ve seen cell phones consume people’s lives, I use mine for emergancy purposes only. Good post.
September 22nd, 2007 at 11:32 pm
I’m concerned that cell phones are replacing brains in kids. That is, because mom or dad is always just the press of a button away, kids don’t have to plan things out in advance or think ahead the way we did when we were children.
And I worry that giving preteens - or even preadults - cell phones contributes in a major way to the instant gratification problem that’s rampant among the younger generations. There’s really no NEED for constant or immediate communication.
And to me, text-messaging is just the devil - if you have a cell phone and I have a cell phone, why not just call and SPEAK to me rather than sending cryptic little messages that hack the heck out of good grammar?
Or maybe I’m just an old-fashioned stick in the mud…
September 23rd, 2007 at 2:59 am
The abbreviations for texting annoy me, too. My 10 yr old asked if she can email a friend down the street and I forced her to use the real phone to call. They talked for almost an hour! I figure that REAL communication is much more beneficial than using email, especially at this age.
September 26th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
You raise all the good points. We were NEVER going to let our child get a cell phone until she had her driver’s license. But then, she transferred to a magnet program in a school with some gang activity. She didn’t feel safe, so we gave her a cell phone. The school will confiscate it if she has it out or turned on, which is fine with us. It is for emergencies.
Actually, she’s shown restraint in using it and it has been very convenient at times for her and for us. Not sure this happy situation will last, but she’s had the phone for 10 months…. I think we will not let her keep it in her room at night, though, as she gets older.
I think IM is truly evil and she is not allowed to ever have that. She can either e-mail her friends or call them. I can’t believe the bullying and other things I know has happened with IM to children we know.