Cell Phones and Kids

[Sixel]

Should children really be given cell phones? Could they handle the responsibility of owning one? How young is too young to own one?

I think that when my child is a teen or even a tween, just as long as he or she has the maturity and knows the responsibility of a owning a phone then I would let his/her have one. Only those cheap phones though.

If a kid wants a smart phone, they would have to pay for it on her own.

 

[chrlswltrs]

It all depends on the kid, how smart they are, and how responsible they are. My daughter had a phone when she was 4, then an iPhone when she was 5. She is highly intelligent (took a college entrance exam just for fun when she was 6 and passed it) and has always taken care of her phone. She has not ever lost or broken a phone in almost 6 years of owning one. Most children do not need a smart phone, but it is all subjective.

Another point to think about is how smart phones are integrated into life now. I personally think the more children have technology at a young age the better prepared they will be as they get older and do need things like a smart phone.

 

[BabyBlues]

I'm very torn on this subject. It really does come down to each individual child and their maturity and responsibility level.

My 10 year old will be getting a Continuum for Christmas this year (it was free when I ordered it). Her usage will be heavily restricted but I think that she needs to learn how to use it now while I can still block and monitor things easily. (And no, she doesn't get to use mine because I'm not a good sharer with my electronics at all!). She will also be told that if it's lost or damaged due to irresponsibility it will be taken away.

I agree with chrlswltrs though - the earlier we teach children about technology the more adaptable they are with it as they grow older.

 

[Bob Cat]

I gave my granddaughter a dumb phone (cause she lives on the oposite side of the country than me) a year ago and she'll be 9 in january. She's always been close to me so I wanted a way for her to call me when she needed to. I have her phone completely blocked so she can only call or receive calls from me or her grandma. No texting, no internet, no strange people calling her. She does have her own laptop and has been playing with computers since she was 3 ( her daddy's a computer programmer ) I can at least controll the phone.

 

[gallandof]

im torn on the subject. its great getting them into the technology sooner so that way they are prepared for the future, but at the same time this new tech is already ruining social skills of adults imagine what future generations will be like.

 

[chrlswltrs]

im torn on the subject. its great getting them into the technology sooner so that way they are prepared for the future, but at the same time this new tech is already ruining social skills of adults imagine what future generations will be like.

What do you mean ruining social skills? I chat with people online every day, and text message people all the time too

 

[andruoid]

What do you mean ruining social skills? I chat with people online every day, and text message people all the time too

I know exactly what he means when it comes to ruining real, in person social skills. People act differently online as compare to real life. Respect online; there is hardly any. That is now being brought into the real world too.

Every time I go to a party, be it a family friend or my son's friends from school some kids have cells or a DS. They sit by themselves and play, not interacting or communicating whatsoever. Yes, this is about phones but most phones can have games installed. They'll be used more for games at that age than anything else. They are ignoring their parents, or telling their parents "I'm bored". Its really sad. Well, the reason you are bored is because you have over stimulated yourself with games and not used up any energy being physical. Quite bluntly: get outside and burn it off.

 

[Bob Maxey]

Get your kid hooked on his or her phone. Then, when they have hundreds of FB friends, and they Twitter every event, and they come to rely upon SMS, and they email up a storm, you will have uber-power.

Just tell the kid if he or she does not maintain a decent GPA, you will STOP paying for cell service. If your kid is like most, no cell service is equal to chopping of their arm.

Get one of them there applications that allow GPS tracking and every so often, ask why they went here or there. I think you can get an app that allows monitoring activity in other ways. Ask about "Jeff" When they ask how you know about Jeff, tell them you read their email.

Be sure they download "1984." They will then understand.

Seize the day . . . seize the power.

Smiley

 

[gallandof]

I know exactly what he means when it comes to ruining real, in person social skills. People act differently online as compare to real life. Respect online; there is hardly any. That is now being brought into the real world too.

Every time I go to a party, be it a family friend or my son's friends from school some kids have cells or a DS. They sit by themselves and play, not interacting or communicating whatsoever. Yes, this is about phones but most phones can have games installed. They'll be used more for games at that age than anything else. They are ignoring their parents, or telling their parents "I'm bored". Its really sad. Well, the reason you are bored is because you have over stimulated yourself with games and not used up any energy being physical. Quite bluntly: get outside and burn it off.

exactly, im 21 and I see this all the time where ill be at a party or dinner with friends and people are texting others instead of talking to the people at the party. Or my friends younger brothers will organize get togethers, but all they do is agree to meet online and play a few video games together online. they could just as easily gotten together and at least played together in person.

 

[Dark Jedi]

I know one day I was visiting a friend and her daughter was sitting on the couch with her best friend. They was both texting. I ask jokingly who are y'all texting and they both said each other.I was like you are beside each other why not talk to each other. They looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. So yeah I can see how these phones can make kids shut down in the physical world and not interact with people in the real world.

 

[Bob Cat]

I know one day I was visiting a friend and her daughter was sitting on the couch with her best friend. They was both texting. I ask jokingly who are y'all texting and they both said each other.I was like you are beside each other why not talk to each other. They looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. So yeah I can see how these phones can make kids shut down in the physical world and not interact with people in the real world.

I like your BUFF avatar cheif.

 

[Dark Jedi]

Thank you took it a few years ago when went to an Airshow at Langley. First time seen one up close in almost 15 years when I got out and gave up my chiefs job on it. Wont lie when walked up to it and a tear came to my eye

 

[gadgetmonster]

My 2 yr old is great with his ipod touch, but a phone? not yet, maybe at 4 or 5.

 

[Vinsanity93]

I'm guessing this has to do with Amber Cole?

 

[Sixel]

There is a rule in my house, that when we are gathers friends or family, phones are on the "phone basket" especially dinner time.

Phones are actually ruining our social skills with people.

I would probably give my son/daughter a phone early if he/she proves to me she can handle it. Maybe a dumb phone to test the waters

 

[UnplugMe]

I worry about unsupervised internet use with kids. Is it possible to block porn, for example? The phones are mini computers. I never see this addressed on the news or online.

I would also make it a pre-paid to avoid potential overages.

 

[mikedt]

I worry about unsupervised internet use with kids. Is it possible to block porn, for example? The phones are mini computers. I never see this addressed on the news or online.

I know UK carriers have adult content blocked by default, you have to prove that you're over 18 to access it. Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong carriers on the other hand do not block adult content. So it may depend on where you are.

I would also make it a pre-paid to avoid potential overages.

Definitely, and they can pay for it out of their own pocket money or newspaper round job.

 

[Sak01]

There is a rule in my house, that when we are gathers friends or family, phones are on the "phone basket" especially dinner time.

That's a good idea. Kind of reminds of the Faraday bags used at secure meetings.

I know UK carriers have adult content blocked by default, you have to prove that you're over 18 to access it.

That's only over the mobile network. It's not blocked over a wifi connection.

 

[chrlswltrs]

I worry about unsupervised internet use with kids. Is it possible to block porn, for example? The phones are mini computers. I never see this addressed on the news or online.

I would also make it a pre-paid to avoid potential overages.

That is where being a parent comes in. I check my daughter's browser history and apps occasionally. Having a phone that can browse the web isn't any different than a computer though. A lot of kids have their own computer and less people question that.

 

[Dark Jedi]

I worry about unsupervised internet use with kids. Is it possible to block porn, for example? The phones are mini computers. I never see this addressed on the news or online.

I would also make it a pre-paid to avoid potential overages.

What does the kid need with mobile internet in the first place. Get them a dumb phone and no net no wifi capabilities and your problem is solved.

 

[kool kat2]

I know one day I was visiting a friend and her daughter was sitting on the couch with her best friend. They was both texting. I ask jokingly who are y'all texting and they both said each other.I was like you are beside each other why not talk to each other. They looked at me like I was speaking a foreign language. So yeah I can see how these phones can make kids shut down in the physical world and not interact with people in the real world.

Haha I've done this before, when the conversation wasn't something I wanted to be overheard

 

[mikedt]

What does the kid need with mobile internet in the first place. Get them a dumb phone and no net no wifi capabilities and your problem is solved.

I'm sure that even the dumbest of dumb phones have basic internet capabilities these days, unless one can find a vintage Nokia 3310 or similar.

Of course if they don't have a data plan, then there is no internet anyway. Many dumb phones don't tend to have WiFi.

 

[Bob Cat]

Or block everything like I did. My granddaughter can only make or recieve a call from me. You can block what you want. I first made the mistake of not blocking internet assuming it was blocked until I got a bill on her number for 300.00 and I obviously freaked out. After calming down and calling vzw I found out it was get it now downloads. Needless to say that stoped.

 

[BabyBlues]

Or block everything like I did. My granddaughter can only make or recieve a call from me. You can block what you want. I first made the mistake of not blocking internet assuming it was blocked until I got a bill on her number for 300.00 and I obviously freaked out. After calming down and calling vzw I found out it was get it now downloads. Needless to say that stoped.

What did you use to block everything?

 

[Sixel]

Just get a dumb phone with prepaid. No kid needs a phone with wifi capabilities. That also include sending MMS. So no sending inappropriate pictures. No camera for that matter.