Have any of you broken down and bought your school aged kids a cell phone? I'm going to get my daughter one because of the crazy logistics of picking her up after school.

I'm leaning towards t-mobile or att. Has anyone come across a good limited local service plan? Are those pay as you go plans a rip off?

Have any of you broken down and bought your school aged kids a cell phone? I'm going to get my daughter one because of the crazy logistics of picking her up after school.

I'm leaning towards t-mobile or att. Has anyone come across a good limited local service plan? Are those pay as you go plans a rip off?

Experience with T-mobile and they suck...I have verizon and love it. I'd go with verizon or maybe something pre-paid or something you don't need a contract with.

This drive's me crazy. That is all I hear from my 10 year old. So and so has a cell phone and so does so and so :blahblah:

I'm not in your situation but I really don't understand why a child needs a cell phone. You really don't know each day how she is getting home?

This drive's me crazy. That is all I hear from my 10 year old. So and so has a cell phone and so does so and so :blahblah:

I'm not in your situation but I really don't understand why a child needs a cell phone. You really don't know each day how she is getting home?

Believe me I don't like it either. She goes to a small private school and the busses don't go into the neighborhoods. They pick up and drop off at locations up down the highway. Her dad will pick her up everyday, but life happens and I want her to have a way to make contact with someone. She rarely gets on the home phone, so I don't she'll be on a cell phone much. It's really me that wants her to have it. I'm a worrier when it comes to my kids.

Believe me I don't like it either. She goes to a small private school and the busses don't go into the neighborhoods. They pick up and drop off at locations up down the highway. Her dad will pick her up everyday, but life happens and I want her to have a way to make contact with someone. She rarely gets on the home phone, so I don't she'll be on a cell phone much. It's really me that wants her to have it. I'm a worrier when it comes to my kids.
That I understand. I would be worried too about that. :ohwell:

Verizon is the best in this area.

Before I would ever get a youngster a cell phone I would want to find out what exposing one so young to the emmitted RF energy would cause.

This article http://www.globalchange.com/radiation.htm says studies show that 2 hours of exposure kills brain cells in rats.

In some cases, maybe as Mrs. Jone mentions, school-aged kids might need a cell phone.

But I have to tell you, I've seen these - what we used to call "teenyboppers"
using these phones as if they were toys. In many cases, it's a status symbol; if you don't have one, you just aren't anybody, you know?

Where I work, my store manager has confiscated a couple from the youngsters(16-18) who he's spotted using them while on the floor, yakking away, when they should be doing something. They will call each other from 20 feet away, just because it's cool!

In some cases, maybe as Mrs. Jone mentions, school-aged kids might need a cell phone.

But I have to tell you, I've seen these - what we used to call "teenyboppers"
using these phones as if they were toys. In many cases, it's a status symbol; if you don't have one, you just aren't anybody, you know?

Where I work, my store manager has confiscated a couple from the youngsters(16-18) who he's spotted using them while on the floor, yakking away, when they should be doing something. They will call each other from 20 feet away, just because it's cool!

Not to mention the ignoramous's that get into deep conversations while driving. :duh:

I don't have a cell phone. Just one of the many things I've given up in order to go to college.

We use verizon. Both my son's (17 years old) are required to have one because they drive and because they work late hours. I pay the basic charge and they pay everything over it. IE: text messaging etc. I think they are both responsible when driving with it. Especially the youngest (by 2 minutes!)-he won't even answer it if he is behind the wheel!! In todays world, their having one is less worry for me-and I don't need anymore stress in my life-work (NMCI) is enough!!

Penncam is correct - alot of these teenyboppers are using them as a status symbol. My 12 yo has been asking for one for over a year now, because two of her friends have one. It is ridiculous.

One of her friends in the neighborhood left Sat. for vacation in Fla. with her family. Last night, the friend calls from her cell phone in Fla. and leaves my daughter a message saying call me back, it doesn't matter what time because my cell will be on. They are 12 yo for God's sake!! I told my daughter you will not be calling her back today or any other day on that phone. She barely calls my daughter when she is home, so I don't know why she is calling from a cell in Fla.!

I didn't get a cell phone until I was in High School, because of after school activities, working, etc. And I didn't even have that until 10th or 11th grade (I think). I did get a pager when I first started High School though.

If my parents thought I needed a cell phone on a certain occasion they would give me one of thiers.

Some of my cousins who just started Middle School have cell phones. WTH do they need one for, to sit in there rooms and talk on it????? Doesn't make any sense to me. If they are going to a school dance; and friends house etc. The parents could send them off with thiers in case of emergency.

I've been resisting cellphones for the younger girls (14 and 12). The oldest got hers when she started "driving".......:lmao: :killingme *whew* (I crack myself up...)

:ahem: Anyway, I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet on the 14 year old. She's involved in so many activities and there's always some snafu going on - practices get cancelled at a moment's notice, they run late, they end early. Then she has to hunt down someone else with a cellphone to let us know what time to pick her up. It's making more and more sense for her to have her own phone so she can contact us when she needs to.

I've been resisting cellphones for the younger girls (14 and 12). The oldest got hers when she started "driving".......:lmao: :killingme *whew* (I crack myself up...)

:ahem: Anyway, I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet on the 14 year old. She's involved in so many activities and there's always some snafu going on - practices get cancelled at a moment's notice, they run late, they end early. Then she has to hunt down someone else with a cellphone to let us know what time to pick her up. It's making more and more sense for her to have her own phone so she can contact us when she needs to.

My sister who was 15 then, got a cell phone last year because of her sport practice and game schedules. You never knew when they would be getting out early or late or when they would arrive from an away game.

My brother, sister and I all got our cell phones when we started driving.

My brother, sister and I all got our cell phones when we started driving.





That's really neat too.

That's really neat too.
STFU







BTW, I vote that we do away with this gheyness: The message you have entered is too short. Please lengthen your message to at least 10 characters.

My teenage son has had one for about 2 years now. Basically for similar reasons mentioned here - schedules change. Also, has anyone tried to find a pay phone that works lately? The problem I have is getting him to remember to turn it on! I have tried to reach him and I always go to voice mail because it isn't turned on or he left it at home.

For years I said high schoolers don't need a cell phone, but now that mine is driving, I want to be able to get hold of him. They are not allowed to have them turned on during the school day, and they will be confiscated if caught. Phones are so reasonable now and with Verizon's plans that include unlimited IN (mobile to mobile) minutes, it's a good deal. Even though pay phones are available at the school, sometimes the students are locked out once after-school activities are over (after returning from an 'away' game, etc). He will have a cell phone by next week.

The problem I have is getting him to remember to turn it on! I have tried to reach him and I always go to voice mail because it isn't turned on or he left it at home.


Ha! That will be my problem, like I said she's not much of a talker and will probably forget she even has the thing. But she'll have it if she needs to call and that is worth the $$'s to me.

I have question to offer. Not saying that cell phones are bad or anything but what did you or the generation before you do with out the 'cell phone'? They survived. :shrug: All a matter of convenience I suppose.

I have question to offer. Not saying that cell phones are bad or anything but what did you or the generation before you do with out the 'cell phone'? They survived. :shrug: All a matter of convenience I suppose.


Well, my husband and I rode the bus home. We don't have that convenience with my daughter's school. If the technology is there to keep us all in touch and safe and it's not too expensive, why not? That was my original question, who has a good cheap plan? :smile:

$25 plan and always stays under it even with 4000+ min a month

4000 minutes for $25? Where?

what did you or the generation before you do with out the 'cell phone'? Same thing we did before the washer/dryer, the dishwasher, the automobile, the computer and the CD player - WE SUFFERED!

Make sure you get a phone with GPS. God forbid, but if something where to happen as long as she had her phone with her she could be better located.

Make sure you get a phone with GPS. God forbid, but if something where to happen as long as she had her phone with her she could be better located.

Maaan! I didn't even think about that (GPS). Maybe I should just home school! Actually, they won't let her off the bus if no one is there to get her, they take her back to school. If Dad's late he can tell her to get off at a different stop or something.
I miss summer already. :lol:

Buddy,

I was always able to find a working pay phone to call home if I needed a ride and the school would even let you use the office phone if you missed the bus and needed a ride home.

Before I had a cell phone, I went to pick my son up at the high school once. He was not waiting outside where we usually met. I waited and waited. Finally I decided to use the pay phone inside the school (there are none outside). All after school activities were over and the doors were locked. I could not get in to call home and see if he had caught a ride with someone else. Finally, I headed home. I passed him on the way, but didn't recognize him in a friend's car. I stopped at a store that I knew had a pay phone and called home. The message I got was that he had caught a ride, but when he got home, was told I was waiting for him at school, so his friend took him back to school to catch up with me. None of us had cell phones!! It was a waste of about an hour on a very busy evening.

No--they are not a necessity. But they sure are convenient and a time saver.

Buddy,

I was always able to find a working pay phone to call home if I needed a ride and the school would even let you use the office phone if you missed the bus and needed a ride home.

As Suzeq pointed out they are not a necessity but they do save a lot of time and throw out some aggrivation. Driving while talking on a cell phone, now there is a different story. :duh:

Driving while talking on a cell phone, now there is a different story. :duh:

Uh-oh....way to get the forum all stirred up!! :ohwell:

:angel: Ok, I suppose the the things you ought to take into consideration have all been voiced by the good people on our forums, right here in this thread.
If your youngster is involved with a host of activities, it's a good idea.

If you are constantly concerned over whether he or she has a ride home, it's a good idea.

If they've just got their license, and their first car, it's not a good idea.

If they've got nutty friends who go on vacation to Florida, and want them to call every other hour, it's not a good idea.

Mostly, as far as I can see, this too ought to be a consideration: People, you know your kids better than anyone else(or you're supposed to), how responsible they are, etc. and etc., it's up to you to decide if they really need to have a cell phone, eh?

Mostly, as far as I can see, this too ought to be a consideration: People, you know your kids better than anyone else(or you're supposed to), how responsible they are, etc. and etc., it's up to you to decide if they really need to have a cell phone, eh?

I appreciate you summing up the thread, but getting one wasn't the question. I want a cheap one and I'm sick of wading through all the cell phone providers bs. But, thanks anyway. :clap:

I have no problem with giving a kid their own cell phone. I'll probably wind up getting one for my son within the year. I don't see what the big hubbub is over it. Why wouldn't you want them to have a cell phone? :shrug: I'll probably be eating my words when it comes to buying one for my chatty cathy youngest. :lmao:

Christy, and Mrs. Jones, I hear what you both are saying. The thing that I'm trying to get across is that only you, as parents, know if your child should have one,
As to which plan is best, I'm sorry, you're going to shop around as best as you're able to; the plans from Verizon and At&T seem to offer what you want, and sometimes, you can find some really great deals, it seems, just
reading the ads that arrive in your mailbox. They seem to flood mine every week.
What do/are you looking for? Lot's of local minutes? A lot of long distance time? It's going to depend on your situation.

I do have to extend kudos to whomever mentioned the GPS feature. As they said, or something close to it: God forbid, that you need to use it, at least you can pinpoint where your child is, at any given time, and help them when they require it."

I'd go for it from that point of view.

If you already have a phone with Verizon, you can add another number to your account and only pay $20 per month. All Verizon customers now get free unlimited IN (cell to cell) minutes every month. Basic phones, without all the unncessary camera features, can be purchased for $40 to $50. A cheap investment to know I can always get hold of my kid, and he can get hold of me.

So what did you and YOUR parents do about after school activities when you were going to high school and middle school? I'm sure everything was worked out. I see no need for cell phones, especially if the child cannot pay one cent of the bill!

So what did you and YOUR parents do about after school activities when you were going to high school and middle school? I'm sure everything was worked out. I see no need for cell phones, especially if the child cannot pay one cent of the bill!
Well believe it or not, we had payphones back then, they were in front of the schools where a lot of our activities took place.
Many times I caught a ride from a schoolmate's mom or pop going my way home.
My father eliminated many of those problems when he volunteered to be a coach for a my high school and then Babe Ruth baseball teams I played on, so I always had a ride(dang it!)home.

But today, as they say, times have changed, and we have technology, and we gotta be cool!

Hey, I suggest if the kid wants a cellphone, let them work for it by doing chores, it'll teach them it doesn't come free - you have to earn it.

Not a bad lesson; if you want it, fine - I as a parent will provide the chores, you get the cellphone when you've earned the money to purchase it.

If you already have a cellphone yourself, can't you simply add the new phone onto your plan?

Hey, I suggest if the kid wants a cellphone, let them work for it by doing chores, it'll teach them it doesn't come free - you have to earn it.

Not a bad lesson; if you want it, fine - I as a parent will provide the chores, you get the cellphone when you've earned the money to purchase it.

That's why I think prepaid phones are such a great idea. If they use all their minutes chatting to their friends, it's their responsibility to do the chores to make the $$ to get more minutes. If they only use it for emergencies and communication with the 'rents, the way it was intended to be used, they shouldn't have to buy more minutes but maybe once every few months or so.

I like the idea. I wouldn't want my daughter sticking me with a hefty bill, but if she's a good kid, does well in school, and participates in after school activities, I would most certainly get her a phone. :yay:

Wait, she already has a phone. Granted, it's not in use (my old one) but she still has one. :lol:

I like the idea. I wouldn't want my daughter sticking me with a hefty bill, but if she's a good kid, does well in school, and participates in after school activities, I would most certainly get her a phone. :yay:

Wait, she already has a phone. Granted, it's not in use (my old one) but she still has one. :lol:
:twitch: OK, I think I followed all that. She's carrying around a dead cellphone that won't do her a bit of good if she really needs to phone home.

There's a certain fatalistic logic there, I guess.

IM4Change, where are you when we need you?

:twitch: OK, I think I followed all that. She's carrying around a dead cellphone that won't do her a bit of good if she really needs to phone home.

There's a certain fatalistic logic there, I guess.

She's only seven, and at her age, she's never alone and won't be for several more years. She just likes to carry it around. :lol:

She's carrying around a dead cellphone that won't do her a bit of good if she really needs to phone home.



She wants her daughter to practice carrying a dead weight around. She's preparing her early for married life.

She wants her daughter to practice carrying a dead weight around. She's preparing her early for married life.
:notworthy Oh, that's so unfair! :lmao: But to some people, totally valid!
ST, you're on top of your game this morning!! :clap:

Originally Posted by duzzey1
So what did you and YOUR parents do about after school activities when you were going to high school and middle school? I'm sure everything was worked out. I see no need for cell phones, especially if the child cannot pay one cent of the bill!


As a matter of fact, I was not allowed to participate in after-school activities because my parents insisted on knowing how I was going to get home. They both worked a good distance from the school and could not pick me up. I want my kids to have more than I had, so after school activities are encouraged and the cell phone is my way of keeping in touch. He wanted it, as all of his friends have them, but I got it because I wanted to be able to be in touch with him.

Penn--yes, if you already have a cell phone, adding an additional line is minimal.

Naturally, we have strict rules with the usage and any variance from those rules will come out of his pocket.

[QUOTE=Mrs. Jones]Have any of you broken down and bought your school aged kids a cell phone? I'm going to get my daughter one because of the crazy logistics of picking her up after school.

I'm leaning towards t-mobile or att. Has anyone come across a good limited local service plan? Are those pay as you go plans a rip off?[/QUO

I for one do not think kids need cells. I think its a peer thing well my friend has one why shouldnt I?? If kids want a cell they need to get a job and pay the bill. But if you are set on this you might want to make sure its allowed to go to school. Schools take them away from students and it caught enough times they will suspend them from school. Also cell phones are not aloud to be used on the buses. They can be written up for have them on the bus and using them. I see your point but there are alot of issues on both sides of this.

Before I would ever get a youngster a cell phone I would want to find out what exposing one so young to the emmitted RF energy would cause.

This article http://www.globalchange.com/radiation.htm says studies show that 2 hours of exposure kills brain cells in rats.
Good thing none of my kids are rats..

Have any of you broken down and bought your school aged kids a cell phone? I'm going to get my daughter one because of the crazy logistics of picking her up after school.

I'm leaning towards t-mobile or att. Has anyone come across a good limited local service plan? Are those pay as you go plans a rip off?
My situation is a little different than most, but all my kids have cell pones. Now they can call me whenever they want, and I can call an individual child when I want to talk to just them. My oldest boy likes to text me, sometimes with mundane daily things, but I throughly enjoy getting his text messages. I have a daughter that I have had problems with going over minutes, but she seems to have fixed that problem.

All in all it works for us. I got Verizon Family Plan.. 1000 minutes with the NAVAIR Discount is <>$50.00 a month plus $10 per additional phone, and $10 apiece for Oldest boy and youngest daughter for unlimited text.

[QUOTE=Mrs. Jones]Have any of you broken down and bought your school aged kids a cell phone? I'm going to get my daughter one because of the crazy logistics of picking her up after school.

I'm leaning towards t-mobile or att. Has anyone come across a good limited local service plan? Are those pay as you go plans a rip off?[/QUO

I for one do not think kids need cells. I think its a peer thing well my friend has one why shouldnt I?? If kids want a cell they need to get a job and pay the bill. But if you are set on this you might want to make sure its allowed to go to school. Schools take them away from students and it caught enough times they will suspend them from school. Also cell phones are not aloud to be used on the buses. They can be written up for have them on the bus and using them. I see your point but there are alot of issues on both sides of this.

This thread is really old. We got her the phone. We've never had a problem with her or her school. It's been quite handy to be able to get a hold of her in many situations, after school activities, sleepovers, traveling with the grandparents, etc. I'm glad we got it for her.