Why do kids have "need" cell phones?

I absolutely agree with you. I have 4 boys age 13, 13 (twins), 10, and 8 and n cell phones.

My sister gave both her girls 11 and 13 cell phones and when they were away visiting their father for a month during the summer they ran the bill up over $3,000 (you read it right, I didn't add an extra zero by mistake...it was over $3,000). Yo would think she took them away after that right? Nope, they still have them. She called the company and got them to reduce the bill and they weren't even punished. She said they didn't understand about roaming and so that is why she didn't punish them.

If a parent really feels the need to keep in touch with their kids then they should go with something like a migo or firefly that only have a few programable buttons. This allows them to contact only their parents and emergency numbers and they cannot call out from it. It's only $10.00 a month on your plan and it's all they need. We have one and it sits in the kitchen drawer unless we need it like if they have baseball practice we'll have them take it or if they go bike riding.

EDIT: everyone talks about todays world and kids needing them and all that but let's be honest here...most kids want and get them for entertainment purposes, to talk it up with their friends, not because they want to feel safe and constant contact with their parents. They want them because everyone else has one.

My 11 year old got a cell phone for Christmas this past year. It wasn't so much of a 'need', although I do like being able to get in touch with her when she's at a friends house easier, or when she's at her dad's.

Part of the reason I got it for her was to teach her responsibility, budgeting and time management. She's got t-mobile Kid Connect - she gets 100 minutes a month, and that's it. When she's done, she's done - except that she can always call me and I can always call her. I have unlimited connection to her - but she has 100 minutes to 'manage' through the month. She also pays half the monthly bill (which is $20 a month) from her allowance.

When she wants to ride her bike or go somewhere, I ask her - do you have your cell phone, and is it charged? If she doesn't - she doesn't go. It's teaching her that there are consequences. It only took a few months for her to manage to keep the minutes most of the month, learn to keep it charged, and know exactly where it is. Seems to me a pretty good way to teach those lessons - and I get the benefit of being in contact with her.

She's also not allowed to take it to school. I have promised, however, that if she gets straight A's for the rest of the year, I'll chip in for the 4.99 text package. Not a bad deal!

I know not everyone has the same story - but some do - not all kids are spoiled brats!

As a single parent of athletic twins, I got them pre-paid cell phones so I would know when they reached the school after away games. They're in different sports at different locations (the boy at the high school, the girl at one of the middle schools) with games on the same night. I would often get a call from one while picking up the other. Our carrier only requires a $20 committment every 90 days, so after the season ends, they know they have to make that money last.

I have two kids and they both have cell phones and I don't think it is so much their need as it is mine I work over an hour away from my house and my daughter who is 12 walks ten blocks from school in the afternoon and even tho she walks with a group of kids I still like to have the peace of mind that she is safe. As for cost if a parent doesn't or isn't smart enough to set guidelines then its thier own fault I have 4 phone and my bill is only around 175.00 a month and I make my 17 year old chip in for his share which is around 45.00 .

When my son gets older, he will have a cellphone, but it will be prepaid and he will only be able to use it during an emergency. Parents don't use it as a spying tactic. They are of course worried about their kids. Look at what kinda world we live in today with all the kidnappings, rapes, and murders going on. It's pretty sad and very scary. Look at things like school shootings. I'd rather have my son take a prepaid phone to school with him that way if something does break out in school, he has a phone that he can call 911 with. If his grades ever do slip bc I find he's using the phone to text his friends and so on instead of paying attention in class, then I will make it clear that he needs to focus on his grades more than his friends bc out of education comes a career. Idk maybe I'm wrong.

I completely agree!

Apparently, kids have it better now. They get everything handed to them, even if they don't need it. I understand it when they are old enough to be driving and going out. The cellphone can be used for calling emergancies and calling parents when you are going to be late. A nine year old does not need a cellphone. They shouldn't even be into that. My nephew is 8 and his real mother recently bought him a cellphone (doesn't do anything else for him, might I add). but she bought him a cellphone. He doesn't care two craps about it. He knows at 8 that if he wants to use the phone, why not use the house phone?!

It's ridiculous, but people are going to do what they are going to do.

I didn't get a cellphone either until I was 18 and could pay for it. I lived.

Edit: I don't think kids who are being raped, kidnapped, etc. are going to be able to pick up a cellphone and call. Do you not know what happens when you get raped? You make one wrong move, and you're dead. I understand how dangerous it is in the world, but no kid that young needs a cellphone.

And to the person who mentioned that the parents have a way of calling when their child is over at their friends house.. What happened to getting the friend's number and calling that number?

Kids need them as a security measure... Since families are often separated by events and circumstances cell phones have become a necessary evil so they can stay in touch...

my child is very responsible and we share a national family plan that includes a lot, text too, all for about $130 a month...

My son is also a Cadet in Civil Air Patrol... I am the emergency services director for the organization My son is a trained emergency services worker for that organization too even though he is only 14... He and I often end up separated if we have a disaster to respond to... The cell phones help a great deal to help us stay connected during these operations... He does use the phone to stay connected with his friends and he is very responsible with it...

His grades in school are fine... In fact him having a cell phone with a camera has helped me to learn about some disturbing things going on in his school among some of the students... One leading to the arrest and prosecution of a student for terrorizing other students... My son took video of several attacks by this student on others and turned the video evidence over to the school authorities...

In one instance in another school the student recorded a teacher acting inappropriately and turned him in... The teacher was disciplined for the action...

In short... Technology used responsibly is a good thing and keeps us all honest when used correctly...

I see no problem with giving a young kid a cell phone as long as they're responsible with it. My sisters were 9 and 10 when they got their first cell phone, they do chores, homework, and are on honor roll. It's not a spying tactic, it's a way to keep in touch. My mother works in the morning when the kids are at school and is home all evening. Cell phones have nothing to do with good parenting, its a matter of opinion whether your child is ready for one or not.

im a kid- and ive had a cell phone for over a year. i also get upset when people talk about how their parent pay for their bill.

im one of the few that pays every cent of the bill.

I had over one hundred dollars over my regular bill. my mom made me pay ALL of it off.

my phone broke and it wasnt my falt but it was out of warranty.

i payed to get a new one.

i get grounded from my phone, and even if i dont use any of my minutes- i pay the bills

and my mom has the right to go through my music, pictures and videos anytime, and can take it away just as easily as she take the money from me to pay for it.

i dont use text during class, and there have been several occasions when i need to get in touch with my mom, or she needs to get a hold of me. Thats the main reason i got one. I went to a week long leadership forum last spring, and was four hours away with no family. Most families have their reasons for letting their kid have a cellphone

so i think, having a phone should and could be used to teach responsibility..

The Firefly cell phone is the best because they can only call 4 different people. (probably mom, dad, aunt, guardian) and it should be pretty cheap. At walmart, sometimes they have them for free after a rebate and a 2 year agreement.