Kids and cell phones on the Peoria.com Forums

When do you think kids should get a cell phone?

We decided it would make a nice 8th grade graduation gift.

Not until they learn how to spell correctly.

Well if that is your rule, I'm sure there are a quite a few adult's phones you could collect!

When they can afford to pay for it themselves.

Oh, I don't mind the unintentional misspelled word..but when I get a text or e-mail that is so badly spelled or "text shorthand" or a combination of the two, that I have to call a a hieroglyphics expert to decipher it, I just ignore it. If it isn't important enough to ensure you get your message across......

My nephew is 8 and has one. He knows it is to call mom, dad, grandparents and close relatives and that is it. As far as I know, he adheres to that pretty well.

A friends wife teaches kindergarten. She is astounded at the number of kids, that start kindergarten, who have a cell phone and dont know how to use it. They cant spell, dont know their numbers, or even address and just know what is on speed dial.

So they have to be taught, even some of the basics, that our generation, took for granted when we started kindergarten. We didnt have speed dial so we learned those things before we started kindergarten.

Having said that, my friend, is becoming more and more convinced that kids should not have a cell phone until the 8th grade. There are even a few studies out there that show students, without cell phones, do much better, in school as there are less distractions.

^^

Get a pay as you go phone. If they need more minutes they can buy a card at the store. Kid buys the phone and buys the minutes.

I recently bought our 8 and 10 year olds cell phones of the "non-smart" variety. They can text and call on them only. I fell into the "get a free phone" trap. I have regretted it ever since. They don't treat them responsibly, lose them easily, and text nasty messages to each other when they are mad. Stupid, stupid mistake on my part and now I'm locked into a two year contract on them. I agree with CJ. Wait until they can pay for them themselves.

When they get a job to pay for it

I'm not so worried about who will pay for it, the idea of having instant communication is worth adding another line to my plan.

As for age; As soon as they are independent enough to be out of the house for hours they will be equipped with a phone w/ gps tracking.

Unless you intend on superglueing it to their body, the gps tracking is, for the most part, worthless.

I got that covered.

OH..please explain because my husband thinks the GPS is a good idea too. I told him they lose their lunch boxes, leave their water bottles and jackets on the bus..at sports games and practices, forget sunglasses, hats..etc. So, I'm wondering how a cell phone will stay attached to the body?

You've over looked the obvious. It is my children I am talking about. My 2 y/o carries his Dell mini around with him and my 6 y/o tries to take his laptop into the bathroom with him.

A smart phone will essentially be a part of their routine, it won't be apart from them.

How will the phone stay attached to them? Simple. My blood flows through their veins.

It is their nature.

:eye roll: