Why do < 12 year olds need a cell phone?

Question

Except in the case where parents are separated, I can't think of who a kid that age needs to call that bad that he'd need his own phone.

Answer 1

They don't. A thirty - five - year - old doesn't *need* a cell phone, either.

However, certain ones can be good for preteens. Many children in the 10 to 12 range are unsupervised for short periods of time. They walk home from school, go to extracurricular activities that could be canceled without the parents' knowledge, or as in our area, be let out of school early. I am also sold on the GPS function that comes with many "kid phones," such as the Kajeet. That could be helpful in certain emergency situations. I used to swear that I would never get my child a cell phone, but I'm now leaning toward getting him a kid phone that can only be used to call and receive calls from certain numbers when he's a preteen. A phone that allows him to text nonstop isn't something I would consider, but one that allows him to only call Mom, Dad, Grandma and 911 is one I would consider.

Answer 2

I have developed mixed feelings on this issue. When I was first on here I would have flat out said they don't. However cellphone technology as advanced so much and the cellphone companies have become much more parent friendly. A lot of even basic level phones now have GPS devices that allow the parent to actually track the child's location, You can restrict who they can call, for example just parents/siblings/grandparents, or you can let them call whomever they want with limited minutes so there are no overages and you can get the details of who they are calling. They never have the excuse they didn't know what the time was. Having said that I would still look at the individual situation such as the level of activities the child was involved in and how responsible they are.

Answer 3

They don't. I've explained that extensively in past questions and I'll try and find them back and copy paste. I think no one needs a phone before age 14-15-16, unless there are particular circumstances.

Found it:

_______________

I can think of many reasons not to give them cell phones.

1/ they don't have any real use for it except in very particular situations, although these situations should normally involve a sitter.

2/ Cell phones give your children freedom to talk to anyone. When I was a kid (I'm 24 so it's not that long ago), my friends called me on my parents landline and they had to tell my mom and dad their names before they were allowed to talk to me.

3/ Cell phones are detrimental to children's idea of politeness. Things like being nice on the phone, not calling at any hour of the day, saying hello, may I speak to X? are completely lost now. Kids call each other in the middle of dinner or text while their parents talk to them or while they order food at a take away. All these being just plain rude.

4/ Parents who give cell phones to their younger children are also more likely to supervise them less because they think the cell does the job. I hear parents saying their 8 year old kids have a phone because they can call if something happens while they're out. A kid that age should not be out on its own. And to reply to the first poster: if you get snatched and raped in an alley way tell me when exactly you have the time to grab your phone and dial 911 or your parents number? The cell is reassuring, but falsely so. It does not make things any safer for kids. Only parental supervision does that and it cannot be replaced.

5/ Kids' spelling and idea of grammar and syntax are just absolutely dreadful. Text messaging does not help. I would also add that cells and other communication technologies make people lazier. Why read a book to find out about something in depth, when you can get a 10 lines sum up on wikipedia? Similarly cell phones give you a bad habit : which is instantaneity. You're just so used to getting what you want the second you want it that you can no longer imagine making the effort of it. This particularly shows with text messages. It's not just words that are shortened: it's also syntax which then makes our language lose its precision and nuances. And finally ideas get shortened as well since it has to fit within 300 characters. So they can't spell, can't write a correct sentence and can't even write a text that has a logical order.

Answer 4

Well, when I was in Japan, there were 5 yr. olds running around with phones. I checked, and the dang thing had Mom, Dad, maybe a grandmother, and one or two other numbers programmed in. Parents had to take it back to the shop to program in new numbers. Oh, and the batteries died if you talked longer than 30 min....how's that for restrictions?



That said, I'd be glad to give my kids a phone when they are older (at least 10), for the simple fact that cell phones are the only form of communication around here. If I am out, it's the only way I'd have to contact my sons--there's no house phone that they'd have access to. So far, there's always an adult with a phone in the house, but that's not always true. I'd rather my son had the phone than some of these nuts I live with!

Answer 5

12 year olds don't need them. They want them. I'm 37 years old and I've never owned a cell phone. Isn't that astounding?! Wow, imagine that. So how did parents cope decades ago before cell phones were around? The world was dangerous then too. I guess it's easier to just hand out phones than to actually communicate with kids to find out where they're going these days. It's a myth thinking that cell phones are absolutely necessary. They aren't. They can be handy in certain situations like emergencies, or needed for a job, but people have become far too reliant on these techno gadgets. It's an addiction.

Answer 6

My 11 yr old has a prepaid cell phone and the only reason we got it was because she sometimes has after school activities and needs to be picked up at different times. I work full time and her grandparents pick her up on the days she has after school activities, other wise she rides the bus to her the local boys and girls club. Its only she and I,so she doesn't go home, and even so, we have no home phone. I have never had a home phone. Ten dollars a month with no contract to be in communication with my child is very much worth my piece of mind, and how is it hurting anyone?

Answer 7

They don't. How often is a 10 year old going to be somewhere without you or another adult who has a cell phone? Probably never, so there's no reason for a little kid to have his/her own phone.

Answer 8

The only GOOD reason that I can think of is the case of medical emergencies.

IMHO, not even the parents being separated is a good reason... wanna talk to daddy? call from the home land line, or even mom's cell phone

Schedule got switched around ? It's really okay to call from the school office, or the coach's/teacher's cell phone. Or how about if the coach/teacher communicates directly with the parents/guardians ?

Wanna talk to your friends? Here honey, use the home phone.

Answer 9

mozz, my daughter's about to turn 11 and she'll probably get a cell phone next fall. 11 seems to me an entirely reasonable age to be routinely doing things like walking home from school with a friend. considering her serious allergies that can cause her to stop breathing without warning, the ability to call 911 immediately in situations like that strikes me as important. i do not want to keep her in a bubble not doing things that are appropriate for her age and responsibility level just because of her allergies, but nor do i want her to be at unnecessary risk just because some people will roll their eyes at her having a phone in middle school.



i expect that my other kids who do not have the same kind of health issues will get cellphones later.



personally i got my first cell phone in my 20s.

Answer 10

My son is the only child who gets off the school bus at his stop.



It is on the wrong side of a busy dual carriageway from our home.

There is no public phone there - or indeed any buildings.

There is no pedestrian crossing of any kind.

The time when the bus arrives can vary by up to around 40 minutes depending on traffic conditions.



So should I waste half an hour of my life every day standing out waiting for him just in case the bus comes early? Should I risk leaving him stood alone on the side of the road? Should I expect him to cross 4 lanes of traffic doing up to 70 mph? Or should I give him the means to let me know when the bus is five minutes from our village, so I can go meet it as it arrives?



And then there's the time he was so busy chatting he forgot to get off, and rang me from the next stop up the road. No other kids get off there either, and there is no public phone.



My son's ten. Do you really think he doesn't need a phone?



Edit: Oh look, thumbs-down. What's the matter - did I make you think or something?

Answer 11

Hello!



I am 12, and all of my friends (including me) have mobile phones.

Well, as we go on a bus home and to school, it is best to have one in case out bus gets stuck (this happens quite alot).



Also, its fun to have a phone! they are getting so more high tech, you can play games, go on the internet, play music and so much more. Phones aren't just for calling and texting any more!



When me and my friends go up to the park, we like to call each other in case one of can't make it. I is also fun to text friends like 'Why weren't u at skul 2day', or if you wanna speak in private.



So it is actually very normal to have a phone at 12, and younger.



Also, if I am at the park, or up at the local shops, or at a friend's my mum wants 2 no where I am so she calls or txts.



Hope I helped!



EDIT:: I have a story. Not long ago, my mum was stuck in a traffic jam, and I had got off the bus stop, and made my way home. The door was locked when I got there, but luckily I ahd my mobile phone. I was able then to call my mum and ask for arrangements. They are not all bad, in fact EXTREMELY USEFUL.



I am a responsible 12 year old girl, and my mum told me I neded one becuase I am at that age where you start hanging out with your friends.



Another story was: On the way to school last week, there was a massive crash, so our bus couldn't move. We had to phone out parents to tell them and ask them to pick us up if possible.



That was all in a couple of weeks (both stories), so they are useful!

Answer 12

My children are still babies right now:)

But, when I was younger I had a cell phone because I did lots of

sports and activities so I needed to contact my parents.

Answer 13

Sheeit, I don't see why a kid under the age of 15 needs a damn cell, unless the lazy bastard is willing to pay for it. Still, parents buckle to put a halt to the incessant pissing and moaning about how Britney, Madison, Tyler, Braxton (insert any bandwagon trailer trash name) already have phones but their kid doesn't.



Then you have those Soccer Mom whores like my slag-in-law who has to monitor her kid 24/7. No better way to do so than with an electronic leash....and a tracking device implanted into the kid's skull.



Edit: Oh, and don't forget texting! Really, how DID kids communicate before this amazing technological breakthrough????

Answer 14

My friend's seven year old has a cell phone. It confuses me. She had been asking for one since she was 5 and got it for christmas. She uses it to call her grandma, friends, cousins. But she could easily use the house phone for that. I keep my thoughts to myself about because honestly it's none of my business.

Answer 15

My little sister is 13(close enough) and she has a cell phone because she walks home by herself to and from school,when she wants to play outside she HAS to bring her phone so our mom can check up on her and tell her when to come,so when our parents are out of town and shes staying at grandmas house they can check up on her,so when she goes to the mall w/her friends my mom can check up on her,and so if shes in any immediate danger she can call 911. We dont live in a very good area so my mom wants her to have her cell phone at all times just to make sure shes okay.



Its not abnormal for most middle schoolers these days to have cell phones.I feel like 12 is a good age to get a phone.Its the age where you dont go to the mall with your mommy anymore or play outside with your mommy anymore.

Answer 16

My son who is 12 has a cell phone. It is nice when he is at baseball practice or stays after school and might need me to come to get him early. He goes out in the woods with his friends to play airsoft and there are no phones there in the woods for him to use and call me when he is ready to be picked up or for me to contact him if I need to come get him or tell him something. He walks to his friend's house alone and his friend doesn't have a phone so I call his cell phone when I want him to be home.



Having a cell phone has definitely come in handy for him and us. He paid for the phone and the first year plan himself. We have unlimited texting and he's never gone over any minutes for talking. He rarely talks on the phone but will use it to text his friends to come over or they text him to come over etc... it's main use though is for us to be able to contact him and visa versa.



Does he absolutely NEED the phone? Probably not. Could we live without it if we had to? probably however there are tons of things our kids could live without that doesn't mean they shouldn't have them. If that were the case no child would have anything but food and shelter LOL Who is anyone else to say whether my 12 yr old should have a phone or not? He's a straight A student and responsible and mature and is never in trouble so my question is why shouldn't he have one if it comes in handy and he is responsible with it?



More and more people are getting rid of their home phones and just using their cell phones to contact one another. So often when my kids go to their friend's house there is no phone. The parents and kids have cell phones so I either have to cal my son's friend's phone or call the moms cell phone and hope she answers. I just prefer call my son directly and know I will be able to reach him.



My twins also have phones and they are 15 but they just got theirs when they started high school and both phones were free. I wasn't willing to buy two phones and they weren't interested in having one enough to buy it themselves so they waited and it was fine.



My youngest is 10 and does not have one and doesn't have a need for one because I simply don't leave him at practice or allow him to walk around town alone etc... when there becomes more of a need for it (need meaning it would come in very handy) then I would consider it if I felt he would be responsible with it and if he could contribute to the cost.



EDIT: Adrian: a 12 yr old should not need to be supervised constantly.



I really don't understand why people have this idea that if they don't need it they shouldn't have it. Are you telling me your child has nothing they don't need but just want?

Answer 17

When I was 10, I was at school and nobody was picking me up (they forgot cause my folks are both busy). Then, there's a guy near me who looked suspicious cause he was starring at me. I wanted to call for help but it was 3 pm and everybody's gone. then he came near me and talked to me for a few minutes, and he said he knew my house and he can take me there. I didn't know what to do so I followed him to his car. He locked the door and started touching my body parts. After that, he started the engine and he drove me to my house. Then, he made me swore not to tell anybody and I didn't until now. That's why they need cellphones.

Answer 18

I personally don't think ANYONE truly NEEDS a cell phone. Human needs are actually pretty basic: food, shelter, clothing, work, and love.



So of course I don't think anyone under 12 needs a cell phone. They need parents who are present and available. But since so many kids are getting cell phones, it makes other kids think they need them too, which makes parents feel obligated to provide them. And if the kids get what they want it makes them feel entitled to more...



People have come to desire cell phones because 1) they're available; 2) they're fun; 3) they make life more convenient; and 4) "everyone else has one, so I want one too"



I once encountered a FIVE year old at the park, without his parents, with a cell phone (and wearing brand new designer clothes from head to toe). He was playing with my son, who was also 5 at the time. At one point the little boy called his mom, who I can only guess was sitting at home somewhere, to help him settle a playground conflict he was having. Sheesh.



I think we, in our first-world countries, need to be careful of what we start defining as necessities, because they can become crutches and we'll become less able to function without them.

Answer 19

For emergencies. Or the parents are stuck in a contract and need better service, etc and just give the kid the old one.

Answer 20

They don't.



I know parents say "So I know where my child is at !" .. Shouldn't you know that information BEFORE you let your child leave ? Shouldn't your child know NOT to leave where they are unless you give them permission before you let them out of your sight ? Oh, and an even funnier reason "In case they were kidnapped" - Yeah, the kid napper is going to let your child keep his/her phone.



I view it as lazy parenting. Knowing where your child is and will be, and raising them right is the equivalent of having a cell phone, except cheaper IMHO.



My kids get to pick out a cell phone at 16, when they get their license. They pick a phone they like and are put on a 3yr contract (since you can have your own contract at 19 and that's how old they'll be within 3 years) and if the phone breaks, they replace it themselves and can't go driving without one.



Before 16 seems unnecessary to me. When I drop my 10yr old off at school and I see 3rd graders walking around with cell phones I feel like hitting the parents, ugh.

Answer 21

It is not a need, it is a must have in today's technological society. I have used walkie talkie radios with my grandchildren when they venture off in the neighbourhood or when camping.

Answer 22

Because they have parents who will get them every little thing they desire, or because their parents don't want to be outdone by Mary's parents because "well Mary's parents got her a cell phone, so why can't I have one?"



They spend all day in school with their friends. What earth shattering thing could happen between the bus stop and home?

Answer 23

So they don't waste your minutes calling their drug dealers and pimps?

Answer 24

The only reason I've heard for them is "it's for emergencies when mom/dad aren't around."



To which I say, why is your <12 year old unsupervised?

Answer 25

I don't think that they need one at that age either...

Answer 26

Uh, yeah, well they need the phone so they can sit in silence watching Jonas together. Duh!

Answer 27

they want cell phones because all the teenagers have cell phones





please answer my question



https://answersrip.com/question/index?qid=20100322164655AA6o3r5

Answer 28

hello to call and text their friends

Answer 29

because...