Ah youth...

[skcin]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

Hey..my opinion is my opinion...I'm not "worked up" and there's no need for "holy christ" I'm not changing my mind, kids should not have cell phones. Good grades or not...that's just MY opinion. Deal.

Yeah, how dare you, you mean old lady.

I was telling someone the other day that if I ever have kids, they are so going to hate me. No TV or DVD in the bedroom, no iPod at the age of 10, a limit on TV time & video games & computer access, etc. I was brought up with a lot of this stuff, and I turned out OK (I think ) but looking back, I wish I hadn't had it all handed to me. I should have played more sports, I should have been outside more, I should have been more active & less spoiled.

[danax6]

Originally Posted by ryan8472

I just find the points about poor parenting to be moot, especially since A) This girl's parents are obviously responsible ones, and B) none of the people who have responded to this thread besides Maria are parents, so who are they to judge one for giving their kid a cell phone.

Not a parent no, but I have a 9 and a 12 year old brother. I especially worry about the oldest, he has a hard time making friends and his social skills are severely underdeveloped. He used to be such a fun and outgoing kid, but he's almost married to his PC/GameCube/PS2/etc. He just won't go outside anymore, and because my mother has let him do whatever the f-ck he wanted for the past 2-3 years, she can't make him either. So, I've been butting heads with her over this for quite some time now. They stay over at my apartment for a few days every 2-3 months and I make sure I take them out and DO stuff. No touching my computer when they're here.

[xdreamsunwindx]

Originally Posted by ryan8472

I just feel that points about poor parenting are moot, especially since A) This girl's parents are obviously responsible ones, and B) none of the people who have responded to this thread besides Maria are parents, so who are they to judge one for giving their kid a cell phone. JMHO.

iawtp. I honestly don't think that kids having phones always = parental responsibility. I mean, like I said, I paid for all my phones. I still do. My folks said I can have a phone as long as I pay for it, so I did. I got caught texting in study hall one day, and my mom said "**** happens, that's why you turn your phone off in school." My parents trust me enough that I can have a phone at 17, and if I get in trouble because of it, it's my responsibility. Most kids I know have the same deal.

[foxyluva]

Originally Posted by danax6

Not a parent no, but I have a 9 and a 12 year old brother. I especially worry about the oldest, he has a hard time making friends and his social skills are severely underdeveloped. He used to be such a fun and outgoing kid, but he's almost married to his PC/GameCube/PS2/etc. He just won't go outside anymore, and because my mother has let him do whatever the f-ck he wanted for the past 2-3 years, she can't make him either. So, I've been butting heads with her over this for quite some time now. They stay over at my apartment for a few days every 2-3 months and I make sure I take them out and DO stuff. No touching my computer when they're here.

Im the same - my sister is ten, and my mother has just given her a cell phone. Lets just say Im less than happy about it. WTF does a 10 year old need with a ****ing cell phone? Seriously.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by xdreamsunwindx

iawtp. I honestly don't think that kids having phones always = parental responsibility. I mean, like I said, I paid for all my phones. I still do. My folks said I can have a phone as long as I pay for it, so I did. I got caught texting in study hall one day, and my mom said "**** happens, that's why you turn your phone off in school." My parents trust me enough that I can have a phone at 17, and if I get in trouble because of it, it's my responsibility. Most kids I know have the same deal.

I think 17 is the perfect age to start allowing your child more cell-phone privileges. Even 16 isn't bad, depending on the maturity-level and responsibility-level of your child.
But I still think 13/14 is way too young to have phones that are maxed-out with features. Like you said about your own situation, the cell-phones you were allowed to have at that age were of the prepaid variety, that you used for emergencies or calling home for a ride. And there's nothing wrong with that -- in those situations, a cell-phone is a very valuable thing to have.

[BlackWidow]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

I think 17 is the perfect age to start allowing your child more cell-phone privileges. Even 16 isn't bad, depending on the maturity-level and responsibility-level of your child.
But I still think 13/14 is way too young to have phones that are maxed-out with features. Like you said about your own situation, the cell-phones you were allowed to have at that age were of the prepaid variety, that you used for emergencies or calling home for a ride. And there's nothing wrong with that -- in those situations, a cell-phone is a very valuable thing to have.

You're a mean Daddy!!

[ryan8472]

To be honest, kids that are 13 or 14 know a lot more now than they did in the 70's or 80's. They're exposed to more, and a lot of times mature faster than before. So I think that if the parent thinks the kid can have a cell phone, that's fine. Having said that, I really don't see a point to having one before the age of 14. It's about that time when kids generally do their own thing with friends, so IMO, they're better off with the phones.

[Grainuaile]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

Of course, that brings me to another strong opinion, I don't think kids (until a certain age) should have complete access to computer (ie in their rooms). Let THAT one fly....

Tell me about it! Last year by boyfriend's bought a new computer, and gave the old one to his 7 YEAR OLD SISTER. She's 7, what the hell does she need her own computer for?

Cell phones started becoming the norm when I was in high school, and I didn't understand it then, either. When I was out and needed to phone home, I used a payphone. Anyone else remember those? You plunk a quarter in and you get to talk to someone. I tend to have my dad's mentality of I'll get a hold of you when I get a hold of you. Someone dying isn't an emergency, they'll still be dead when I get home to answer the landline.

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by mylittledemon

Wasnt that whole thing contradictory? If my kid was sending 450+ texts PER DAY and went over their 14,000 text limit, they wouldnt have a cell phone. That's not good manners as far as I'm concerned.

That's just it. The supposedly "unlimited" plan runs out at 14000.... She was told not to do it again, and never has.

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

I'll just continue to be annoyed when a 12 year old texts through an entire movie

If the 12 year old texting through a movie has the phone on silent, what's it matter?

Originally Posted by ryan8472

I just feel that points about poor parenting are moot, especially since A) This girl's parents are obviously responsible ones, and B) none of the people who have responded to this thread besides Maria are parents, so who are they to judge one for giving their kid a cell phone. JMHO.

I'm surely not a model parent. But, I see the point of giving her (my stepdaughter) a phone. She's 14! She does her own thing with her friends! The live out in the country, so when she "goes out" she stays in town. She is well disciplined and trusted by her folks. If she screws up, she knows she'll pay the consequences. And, she's ran up the bill, and paid dearly for it. She's learned not to do it again. If the kids are well disciplined, then there's no problem. Plus, there's been a time where she was out, got into a situation with her friends she shouldn't have been into, and called me. She was able to get in touch with a responsible adult to help her out. I'm not even her mom, and I feel safer just for that reason. Sara begs me for a phone, but she's 8. Now, what the hell would an 8 year old do with a phone? As soon as she starts going out with her friends, I'll get her one. But, right now, when she goes out with her friends, she's with me or the other parent. She's not ready for one just yet.

[DrummerDeanna]

Originally Posted by sara1998

If the 12 year old texting through a movie has the phone on silent, what's it matter?

One, you can still hear the annoying clicking..and two - it's damn annoying to see the light in the middle of a dark theater it's rude, and should never be done by kids OR adults.

I'm sorry if I've offended you, that was not my intention - and I don't think you're a bad parent by letting your kid have a cell phone or anything, it's just my general feeling that kids should not have them...but my opinion doesn't mean anything, I mean it's not going to stop kids from having them...so

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by DrummerDeanna

One, you can still hear the annoying clicking..and two - it's damn annoying to see the light in the middle of a dark theater it's rude, and should never be done by kids OR adults.

I'm sorry if I've offended you, that was not my intention - and I don't think you're a bad parent by letting your kid have a cell phone or anything, it's just my general feeling that kids should not have them...but my opinion doesn't mean anything, I mean it's not going to stop kids from having them...so

Haha! Honey, you didn't offend me!!! You have every right to your opinion. I'm not mad at you for that. As far as the tapping and the light... I can see your point.

[Macfanforever]

Cell phones are good for emergencies only,call home for help,In my day in school, there were no such thing.I was lucky enough to bring in my portable radio to class.no walkmans and ipods those days, nevermind cell phones.

[Kelly]

My older two kids have cell phones. One is 16 and pays for it himself. My 12 year old has a prepaid and buys the minutes himself with his paper money. (he works, delivers newspapers.....so kids can have phones and be responsible and have manners as well....SHOCKER)
My 12 year old is also addicted to the computer and has to be monitered like a hawk. (he has a time limit, etc) However, he also knows how to play outside and get dirty. He plays baseball, skateboards and rides his bike pretty much every day after school. So a kid can still play outside and have fun, but also use a computer. Maybe when some of you actually have kids, you will understand that things are not all black and white.
Why in the world should a kid not have an MP3 player?? My Mom took me to my first Stevie concert when I was in grade school! She bought me BellaDonna on cassette when it first came out.
I loved music and so do my kids. I put the music on their MP3's so I see no harm in them having one. Did you guys have walkman's or boom boxes when you were a kid?


Kids who have cell phones, tv, mp3's can also have manners. These things do not make them spoiled brats, bad parenting does.


I would rather my kid be able to call me if he was hurt or in trouble ....and that does not mean I do not know where my kids are either. Again, things are not that black or white. I know where my kids are most of the time and they could still get into trouble and I feel better knowing they can get in touch with me or vice versus. An example of this happened about a month ago. My oldest son left for school at 6:45 in the morning. I was in the shower, getting ready for work. I heard my cell ringing, it was my son, Matt. He tells me he is in an ambulance, that he passed out at the bus stop. He did not eat breakfast that morning and he got light headed from low blood sugar. (of course I offered to make him breakfast, he said he wanted to eat at school that morning) He passed out and hit his face on the curb. He had to get five stiches in his eyebrow and four caps on his teeth. I knew where my kid was...on his way to school but he still needed to get in touch with me. I am sure I could have waited for a call on my house phone from the police or a phone call from the hospital, like the old days but it was comforting to him to be able to talk to me. He was alone and scared and talking to me made him feel better. Without his cell, he could not have done that.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but most parents do not use a cell phone or computer as their new "babysitter".

[sara1998]

Originally Posted by Kelly

My older two kids have cell phones. One is 16 and pays for it himself. My 12 year old has a prepaid and buys the minutes himself with his paper money. (he works, delivers newspapers.....so kids can have phones and be responsible and have manners as well....SHOCKER)
My 12 year old is also addicted to the computer and has to be monitered like a hawk. (he has a time limit, etc) However, he also knows how to play outside and get dirty. He plays baseball, skateboards and rides his bike pretty much every day after school. So a kid can still play outside and have fun, but also use a computer. Maybe when some of you actually have kids, you will understand that things are not all black and white.
Why in the world should a kid not have an MP3 player?? My Mom took me to my first Stevie concert when I was in grade school! She bought me BellaDonna on cassette when it first came out.
I loved music and so do my kids. I put the music on their MP3's so I see no harm in them having one. Did you guys have walkman's or boom boxes when you were a kid?


Kids who have cell phones, tv, mp3's can also have manners. These things do not make them spoiled brats, bad parenting does.


I would rather my kid be able to call me if he was hurt or in trouble ....and that does not mean I do not know where my kids are either. Again, things are not that black or white. I know where my kids are most of the time and they could still get into trouble and I feel better knowing they can get in touch with me or vice versus. An example of this happened about a month ago. My oldest son left for school at 6:45 in the morning. I was in the shower, getting ready for work. I heard my cell ringing, it was my son, Matt. He tells me he is in an ambulance, that he passed out at the bus stop. He did not eat breakfast that morning and he got light headed from low blood sugar. (of course I offered to make him breakfast, he said he wanted to eat at school that morning) He passed out and hit his face on the curb. He had to get five stiches in his eyebrow and four caps on his teeth. I knew where my kid was...on his way to school but he still needed to get in touch with me. I am sure I could have waited for a call on my house phone from the police or a phone call from the hospital, like the old days but it was comforting to him to be able to talk to me. He was alone and scared and talking to me made him feel better. Without his cell, he could not have done that.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but most parents do not use a cell phone or computer as their new "babysitter".

Sara is limited on her TV and computer time too. She is allowed to watch TV only after her homework is done, and she's waiting for dinner to be finished. After dinner, if it's nice, I make her go outside to play. Or help clean the house. She has a little MP3 player, and she loves it! I teach her manners with it. She also has a television in her playroom with a satellite receiver hooked up, but it's not on all the time. I have a computer for her, but it's not hooked up. When it is, there will be parental controls in place for her safety, and she won't be on that all the time either. You have to teach them that there are limits with everything. If you hand them these things, and don't supervise their time with them, that's where bad parenting comes in.

We didn't have such things when I was a kid. Even if we did, we were poor, and would have never been able to afford it. I always had a stereo and a television in my room, and while I still love my stereo, I rarely, if ever, watch television.

So, in my opinion, it's not the gadgets these kids have, it's the parents who give the gadgets. If the parent teaches the child to be responsible with thier things, they will be respectful with them and about them.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by Kelly

Everyone is entitled to their opinion but most parents do not use a cell phone or computer as their new "babysitter".

That's a good point.

I got my first cell phone when I was in the 9th grade, I think. They were quite primitive then.. the old nokias that didn't have any games or anything.. but mine was super cool because it was red.

There were a few times that I did go over my minutes - which, at that time, the plan was only 200 anytime wtf - but overall, my parents put down the ground rules about it, and i stuck to it. Or there was hell to pay, and it was going to come out of my pocket.

There's just a thing about this board that is like.. okay.. post a story. Now everybody jump in and talk about how rotten the world is! I don't get that. The girl won 25k from a cell phone manufacturer. She's like, what, 12, and people are insisting that what she's done is meaningless and that she should donate the money to charity? Kill. Joy.

Personally, I hope homegirl keeps every cent for herself uses it to get her future started right, but I'm not gonna say what SHOULD happen to that 25k until I take my ass up there and win it myself.