From a parent's point of view, why do some believe teens shouldn't have cell phones?

Question

Mine parents don't want to get me one :/

Any opinions out there? As a teen, I think I "NEED" one =)

Answer 1

Alot teens don't really understand when not to use the cell-phone.

Answer 2

you are doing the right thing by trying to understand them. But if I were a parent, I wouldnt think that way. Some people only look at the bad side of things because of the background and circumstances they come from. Well if you can make them understand rationally that there are good things abt mobiles, then your problem is solved.  

Answer 3

Depends on the age, I think 16 and above it's a good idea so they can call you if they're running late and it's peace of mind.. But a 12 yr old that I do see around today, it's for show, and no real point, the parent needs to keep better control of the kid.

Answer 4

We survived High School without a cell phone and so can our children.

They are free to use the house phone. When they are working and paying their own bills then they can make new ones such as those expenses associated with a cell phone. The average cell phone bill barring calls made outside of the plan is about 70 dollars with all the taxes,fees, etc...

Multiply that per annum and that's 840 dollars per year for just one cell phone minimum not including the 200-300 dollars added to it for the purchase of the phone of choice and the start up fees. Now multiply that times 3 teens (as in the case of my own family) it comes out to $2,520.00 per year just so they can chit-chat. They can do this on the phones in their bedrooms.

If a call home is important at school then they can go use the office phone.

2500 bucks pays for 4 semesters of books at our local state university or 1 semester of tuition.

2500 bucks also makes a nice down payment on a car that they will certainly be asking for as well. The car that they won't be gassing up or insuring but we will. So, from a my own parental point of view this is the reason why they don't need a cell phone.