Mobile phones for kids?

[JS80]

Don't forget to implant an under the skin GPS chip and install webcams in her classroom.

 

[2Xtreme21]

See, here's the thing. I was fine without one when I was 7, and I'd go straight from school to a friend's house and play outside til 9pm when I walked back home to my house in the dark.

And don't tell me it's a more dangerous world now than it was back then. It's just the age of helicopter parents holding their kids' hands in everything they do well into adulthood.

 

[lxskllr]

See, here's the thing. I was fine without one when I was 7, and I'd go straight from school to a friend's house and play outside til 9pm when I walked back home to my house in the dark.

And don't tell me it's a more dangerous world now than it was back then. It's just the age of helicopter parents holding their kids' hands in everything they do well into adulthood.

No, it's putting power, control, and responsibility into the child's hands. Communication is the ultimate power, and everybody should have access to all forms practically available.

 

[MotionMan]

See, here's the thing. I was fine without one when I was 7, and I'd go straight from school to a friend's house and play outside til 9pm when I walked back home to my house in the dark.

Me, too.

And don't tell me it's a more dangerous world now than it was back then. It's just the age of helicopter parents holding their kids' hands in everything they do well into adulthood.

I agree. Let's throw out all the car seats, seat belts, airbags, non-lead-based paints and OSHA. People are too coddled nowadays.

Or we could use the modern tools of safety and convenience in a reasonable way. Naaaah.

MotionMan

 

[soulcougher73]

I would just get my kids (if i had any) one of the cell phones that can call the police, fire, and programmed home phone or parent cell phone. That is all. They cant text or call anyone else.

 

[2Xtreme21]

I agree. Let's throw out all the car seats, seat belts, airbags, non-lead-based paints and OSHA. People are too coddled nowadays.

Except parents want to give their kids cell phones so they can "be sure they're ok" whenever and wherever, not to protect their health in case of an accident like the items you mentioned. Kids are being raised in households where they have zero freedom to develop problem solving skills.

If I ever needed to get ahold of my parents to tell them I'd be staying after school, I could always use the office phone or a payphone. The concept of needing to stay connected 24/7 and having mommy and daddy be willing to fight all your battles for you is causing the generation of children today to be nothing more than a bunch of spoiled, coddled brats.

 

[AMDZen]

Wow. A little jealous of Californians, are we?

 

[lxskllr]

If I ever needed to get ahold of my parents to tell them I'd be staying after school, I could always use the office phone or a payphone. The concept of needing to stay connected 24/7 and having mommy and daddy be willing to fight all your battles for you is causing the generation of children today to be nothing more than a bunch of spoiled, coddled brats.

Only if that's the way you set it up. My daughter knows better than to call me for every little thing, and I never call her unless it's something important. Having her own phone means she doesn't need someone else to get something done. She can handle things on her own, and be self sufficient.

 

[MotionMan]

Except parents want to give their kids cell phones so they can "be sure they're ok" whenever and wherever, not to protect their health in case of an accident like the items you mentioned. Kids are being raised in households where they have zero freedom to develop problem solving skills.

How does having a mobile phone equate to not learning problem solving skills?

If I ever needed to get ahold of my parents to tell them I'd be staying after school, I could always use the office phone or a payphone. The concept of needing to stay connected 24/7 and having mommy and daddy be willing to fight all your battles for you is causing the generation of children today to be nothing more than a bunch of spoiled, coddled brats.

How does having a mobile phone equate to your parents fighting your battles?

I think you are generalizing a bit too much.

MotionMan

 

[waggy]

See, here's the thing. I was fine without one when I was 7, and I'd go straight from school to a friend's house and play outside til 9pm when I walked back home to my house in the dark.

And don't tell me it's a more dangerous world now than it was back then. It's just the age of helicopter parents holding their kids' hands in everything they do well into adulthood.

So did. I also don't think its any more dangerous now then it was 30 years ago.

Its about safety, responsibility, power etc. Its also being able to talk to her when i want. being divorced and having split custody it is nice to be able to call me or her mother when she feels like it.

Also she is almost 9. so she is out playing and running around town. it would be nice to be able to call her home for whatever without yelling.

 

[vi edit]

No, it's putting power, control, and responsibility into the child's hands. Communication is the ultimate power, and everybody should have access to all forms practically available.

Everyone(or mostly) *IS* equipped with a personal communication device. It's called a mouth, brain, eyes, and ears.

I grew up in a small town in rural America so my childhood is different than those in big cities. Anywhoo...I'm of the belief that all of this over the top access to information, communication, saftey features and so on has de-evolved us as society.

Having all this shit available to us has taken away basic common sense and accountability. When I was young I had no phone so I didn't get myself into situations that required them to get out. My parents didn't have phones so when they said they'd be some where...they'd freaking be there. When I was told to be home by 9:00...I was home by 9:00.

As for the answer to the OP...fuck no. My kids will get cell phones when they are old enough to get a job to pay for one.

 

[Pantoot]

Whatever you get her make sure you call the carrier and have them block third party billing on the phone.

 

[MotionMan]

Everyone(or mostly) *IS* equipped with a personal communication device. It's called a mouth, brain, eyes, and ears.

I grew up in a small town in rural America so my childhood is different than those in big cities. Anywhoo...I'm of the belief that all of this over the top access to information, communication, saftey features and so on has de-evolved us as society.

Having all this shit available to us has taken away basic common sense and accountability. When I was young I had no phone so I didn't get myself into situations that required them to get out. My parents didn't have phones so when they said they'd be some where...they'd freaking be there. When I was told to be home by 9:00...I was home by 9:00.

As for the answer to the OP...fuck no. My kids will get cell phones when they are old enough to get a job to pay for one.

Me, too. But, the inspiration for this thread was an emergency situation.

What is the argument for not giving a responsible child a mobile phone for emergencies?

MotionMan

 

[vi edit]

Me, too. But, the inspiration for this thread was an emergency situation. What is the argument for not giving a responsible child a mobile phone for emergencies?

Would a phone stopped it from happening or improve the situation inside the school in any way?

 

[lxskllr]

Having all this shit available to us has taken away basic common sense and accountability. When I was young I had no phone so I didn't get myself into situations that required them to get out. My parents didn't have phones so when they said they'd be some where...they'd freaking be there. When I was told to be home by 9:00...I was home by 9:00.

What did you do when you needed a ride from the dance studio to the dress rehearsal, the ride didn't show up, and you had .5 hours to get there?

 

[irishScott]

I got my first cell in 7th grade. *shrug* Depends on how you define: kids.

 

[MotionMan]

Would a phone stopped it from happening or improve the situation inside the school in any way?

No. Yes.

MotionMan

 

[vi edit]

What did you do when you needed a ride from the dance studio to the dress rehearsal, the ride didn't show up, and you had .5 hours to get there?

Like I said, if my sister or I were supposed to be somewhere, my parents made sure we got there. Almost anything I needed to get to was within walking or riding distance in my small town. If I needed transportation to some place outside of that range they made sure someone was there.

Somehow we managed to survive without a phone a friend a button push away.

 

[MotionMan]

Like I said, if my sister or I were supposed to be somewhere, my parents made sure we got there. Almost anything I needed to get to was within walking or riding distance in my small town. If I needed transportation to some place outside of that range they made sure someone was there.

Somehow we managed to survive without a phone a friend a button push away.

Early man managed to survive without a lot of things. Do you live in a cave? You have legs and feet, so you do not use cars or even bikes, right? Do you have a phone at all?

MotionMan

 

[lxskllr]

Like I said, if my sister or I were supposed to be somewhere, my parents made sure we got there. Almost anything I needed to get to was within walking or riding distance in my small town. If I needed transportation to some place outside of that range they made sure someone was there.

Somehow we managed to survive without a phone a friend a button push away.

Well, me and my daughter's mother are separated, and my mother does a lot with her. My ex is unreliable, and my mother is old and forgetful. If I'm going to be somewhere, I'm there, but I can't count on the other 2. Also, I discourage my daughter from asking anything, of anybody. You carry what you need to be prepared for the day, and don't intrude on anyone else for anything. That isn't always possible, but that should be the ideal. You don't ask people for food, drink, tools, or anything else. You handle things yourself, or do without, and make a mental note of your screwup for the next time.

 

[blackdogdeek]

here are some occasions when my 7 year old daughter used her cell phone after gymnastics practice:

1. wife running late, gymnastics school office already closed by the instructors who have already left, parents and other students already thinning out as they begin to leave; my daughter called my wife to make sure she was coming. (this has happened more than once)

2. another mother is scheduled to give my daughter a ride home after gymnastics but she changed the plan and sent her husband, whom my daughter has never met, to do the pickup. my wife called my daughter's cell phone to let her know that the father was doing the pickup.

is this coddling or reassuring communication?

 

[MotionMan]

here are some occasions when my 7 year old daughter used her cell phone after gymnastics practice:

1. wife running late, gymnastics school office already closed by the instructors who have already left, parents and other students already thinning out as they begin to leave; my daughter called my wife to make sure she was coming. (this has happened more than once)

2. another mother is scheduled to give my daughter a ride home after gymnastics but she changed the plan and sent her husband, whom my daughter has never met, to do the pickup. my wife called my daughter's cell phone to let her know that the father was doing the pickup.

is this coddling or reassuring communication?

When we were kids, she would have just walked home with her built-in transportation devices. Also, it is no more dangerous today than it was then, so she would be fine walking home alone, at night, uphill, in the snow...

Geez!!!

MotionMan

 

[Homerboy]

here are some occasions when my 7 year old daughter used her cell phone after gymnastics practice:

1. wife running late, gymnastics school office already closed by the instructors who have already left, parents and other students already thinning out as they begin to leave; my daughter called my wife to make sure she was coming. (this has happened more than once)

2. another mother is scheduled to give my daughter a ride home after gymnastics but she changed the plan and sent her husband, whom my daughter has never met, to do the pickup. my wife called my daughter's cell phone to let her know that the father was doing the pickup.

is this coddling or reassuring communication?

I'd question what kind of place I'm sending my 7 year old daughter that basically leaves her on the curb and/or the parents of the other kids that would possibly leave her too.

in the case of #2, I would assume this is a parent of another kid in gymnastics? If so, wouldn't your daughter realize it was OK when her friend said "there's my dad... lets get in the car"?

I have no problem with parents giving their kids a cell if it makes everyone feel more comfortable (especially the kids). You do whatever it takes to make them safe and FEEL safe. I personally can not think of a single situation my kids have ever been (or will be in in the near future) in where they would have needed a cell.

 

[Scarpozzi]

The last thing they need is a way to call dudes they meet on teh intranets. That's exactly the sort of thing that gives Chris Hansen more work!

When I start parenting, I certainly hope I don't fall into that line of thinking. I don't think kids need cellphones. They should always be in parental supervision and have access to a phone if they need it. I bought my first cellphone when I was 18...and had to pay the bill myself. That was only a few years after they stopped selling bag phones. These days, I've seen kids under the age of 10 with cellphones. It seems like a waste and a liability.....and perhaps a way for parents to give responsibility to the kids rather than being more responsible themselves.

 

[MotionMan]

I personally can not think of a single situation my kids have ever been (or will be in in the near future) in where they would have needed a cell.

And it is one of those presently unknown situations in the future that will make you wish you had thought differently today.

MotionMan