Getting a 6 year old a cell phone?

Question

My 6 year old daughter is going into kindergarten. That means she will be taking the bus to school every morning. The school has the children in kindergarten and 1st grade wear dismissal ID's. It says their name, what bus number they are, and what stop they get off at. I feel confident she will on the right bus and off at the right stop. I'm worried that something will happen though. I know that I will be with her waiting for the bus in the morning, and even after school I will be at the stop and walk her back home (she gets on/off at are driveway because we are at the top of the street). I just think negitive. What if she has an allergic reaction? What if I loose track of time and aren't at the stop? What if, what if, what if! I talked to my husband about getting her a cell phone for only an extra $10 a month. What's the harm? He thinks that I am crazy. What do you think?

Answer 1

NO WAY!  She's way too young!  She would probably loose it anyway!  Even if you aren't at her stop she will be fine and walk to the house!  She only has to go down the driveway to the house!  It's not like she's walking down the street by herself!  Your just paranoid!  She will be fine!  I see your concern but save yourself some money!  Your daughter will be fine!  If you aren't at the driveway tell her to tell the busdriver and then he can call you, he will understand, i mean she's only 6!  But seriously be realistic, a 6 year old with a cell phone....please!  

She will be fine!  You will be fine!  Just stop worrying!  Everything will be ok...

Answer 2

Umm... ya I think that's a little crazy.  Most schools wouldn't even allow your child to bring it to school.  My kids brought toy ones (that look just like the real thing) and I got a nasty call from the principal who took them away from my kids.  Your daughter is safe, the likelihood of something happening is pretty slim.  If she had an allergic reaction, she would need to seek help from teacher or bus driver, not call you while she's going into anaphylactic shock.  If you aren't at the bus stop, they are not allowed to release your child to anyone.  She would stay on the bus and you would go pick her up at the school.

Answer 3

no way....a six year old can't handle a phone.

Answer 4

This in one of my BIGGEST pet peeves.

If she has an emergency at school, the school will probably call you about it. Besides if she is in an emergency [allergic reaction, etc] she wouldn't be in any state to call you anyways.

And if you think about it, to a little kid, a cell phone is nothing more than a toy. She could lend it out, drop it, play with it in class, etc. She's not old enough nor responsible enough to have something like that.

My parents made me wait until I was 16 to get a cell, and honestly, I never really NEEDED it before. Most places have payphones anyways and its not like your daughter is going to go somewhere alone.

Keep track of the time, have a timer go off when you need to leave in order to be there.

Answer 5

A toy one? Absolutely. A real one? No way.  

Answer 6

Most elementary schools will not allow a child to bring a cell phone to school.  Not only can it get stolen, lost or damaged, they can't have the kids calling up Mom whenever they feel like it.  An emergency for them, might not be an emergency at all.  

She'll be at school.  There are teachers all over the place and she (and YOU) has to learn to trust them to take care of emergencies.  Cut the cord.

My kids weren't allowed to bring cell phones to school until they went into high school, and even then they are required to leave them in lockers during class time.

Relax, kids have been going to Kindergarten for decades without cell phones.  It's not needed.  Really.

Edit:  I am familiar with the kiddie cell phones that only program a couple numbers in them.  If you program 911, what will stop her from trying it out one day with her friends?  What if a kid grabs it on the bus (because you know she will take it out to show it off) and calls 911...do you know how much trouble she can get into if that happens?

Answer 7

I don't think its a good idea to give a 6 year old a cell phone. instead write her name, your names and your contact info on an index card and attach it to the inside of her backpack. write down exactly what shes allergic to. Since most adults and teens carry cells these days if she ran onto trouble the odds are that someone would be near by to help. If she had a medical problemsomeone would call 911. The busses are equipped with radios. At my daughters school if the desingated adult is not at the stop to receive their child the bus returns to the school and the parents are contacted. Make it a point to know who your daughters school bus drivers are and keep a list of phone numbers like for the school and bus barn at hand.

my son is starting kindergarden this year too. I  know its hard not to worry about your childs safety but I think you are worrying too much.

btw- I imagine the service is only $10 a month but you still have to pay for the phone.

Answer 8

At first when I read this I thought to myself way to young! Then i thought again and said what if she was alone (even on the playground and you have this creep trying to persuade her, you teach her to use it in any kind of emergency and yes definitely agree it can't hurt!

You need to talk to her and warn her just when to use the phone, give her examples she can relate too. Scenarios if you will, I am sure you get the just of it ! Yes I do agree, it could actually save her life! I am all for it!

Cheers!!

Answer 9

you could get one of those Firefly phones that just calls home and the police if there is an emergency

Answer 10

a 6 year old doesnt need a cell phone

most likely shes going to be safe and nothing is going to happen to her

dont worry =]

Answer 11

a six year old is WAAAAAAAAAAAY to young for a cell phone, she probably doesnt even know how to use one, you are crazy (no offense)

Answer 12

What! A 6 year old with a cell phone!!!!! She doesn't need one. Where would she keep it? She would probably loose it. And cell-phones are against the rules in some schools.  I wouldn't do it. She is way to young! If you are running late and know that you won't be there to meet her at the bus stop, call someone that can  pick her up. But, just in case, go though some rules with her in case nobody is there to pick her up. Maybe tell her to go with a friend that is on her stop, or just go to a neighbors.

Hope it helps!

Answer 13

There's no need. If she's that young, she will have adult supervision all of the time. Give the adults your number and if something goes wrong they'll contact you probobly faster than she could at this age. And remember to breathe! She'll be okay. =]

Answer 14

bad idea, besides from it being stolen from the kid its also bad health for a young kid like that to have a cell phone, if your worried ask people to keep an eye on her like the teachers, making sure she gets the bus, making sure they know of her allergic reactions and if you might be running late they can look after her till you get there.

Answer 15

I can undersatnd your worry, but see might be too young to be resonsible for a cell phone, she could lose it, call random number ect.

Answer 16

She is still a little young for a actual cellphone who knows what trouble she may get in with a real phone

http://www.fireflymobile.com/

this is a phone for kids

it does not have number buttons only 2 buttons one for you and one for your husband so she can only call you guys

Answer 17

i think thats a great idea! get like a really cheap flip fone like a razor or something. just make sure she know how to use it. i got a firefly whe i was 10. but i think its great. get the second version. the 1st is to hard to control the second is perfect! the third one is too advanced for a 6 year old

Answer 18

yeah thats crazy. dont get your SIX YEAR OLD a cell phone. Thats ridiculous. I rode the bus and got off at my driveway and i never needed a cell phone. Let the child grow up and learn of other ways to communicate besides yapping.

Answer 19

I personally wouldn't at that age. My youngest is 8 and he doesn't have one but I know how you feel. This will be his first year taking the bus (I usually drive him) and he has a learning disability so I am freaked. Most kids that age would lose it though. I totally understand your concerns and think they are legit but people went without cell phones for ages and were fine. Most schools frown upon even older kids bringing a cell phone to school. Do your elementary schools have lockers with locks? It could even get stollen. I just think it's a bad idea personally.

If you really will feel better knowing she has some way to contact you then maybe get the Migo by verizon or one of those kid type phones like it that have just the 4 buttons where you program in the numbers you want and then the child just has to push number 1 and the send button. I think those are better for the younger kids. Just make sure she doesn't give the number to anyone and tell her the phoneis ONLY for you and her to contact eachother.

We have the Migo and it works great, it also comes with a clip type chain so you could clip it inside the backpack. My 11 yr old just got a real cell phone last April. He paid for it himself though and paid a years worth on the plan (his was $10. a month too).

EDIT: I notice you also have a 13 yr old, did that child have a cell at 6 or does he/she have one now? These are things to consider as well.

EDIT 2: Well if it's just a firefly or migo (if you have verizon) then I think that is perfectly fine, they are made for younger kids.

Answer 20

I wouldn't.  They are not going to be allowed to use them at school.if there is a problem at school the school will get ahold of you on her behalf.

No six year old needs a cell phone.

Answer 21

get her a phone were she can only call you & ONLY YOU AND DAD & EMERGENCY JUST INCASE They have those phones around well they should i dont think your crazy its 2008. kids are getting more things then that and even at a younger age. :S  Good Luck!

Answer 22

if ur that worried why not? i think u should properly exdplain to her what the phone is for and only use it to call u or like 911 for an emergency.

edit: i agree with the person above me... theres a phone that u have to program phone numbers in and there are no number buttons on the phone so she can only call the numbers u program in it. i think its called a firefly phone not sure u should look it up

Answer 23

Your little girl will be fine.  She is far too young for a cell phone.  If you lose track of time and aren't there, she'll just walk home.

No offense, but Isn't that what you would have done as a child?

Answer 24

Ummm. no.  She does not need a cell phone.  She will be fine on the bus.  You will not forget to pick her up at the bus stop.  There is no reason for a 6yr old to have a cell phone.  None whatsoever.  I have to say that your hubby is right this time!  

Answer 25

What's the harm? brain tumours, dead brain cells, you name it.

Also, what's a child getting a bus to school on her own for?

It's a sick World out there, there's no way in h**l my child would get the bus alone at that age.

Answer 26

That is crazy!!! My daughter, who is also 6 years old, is going into first grade. She will not have a cell phone until she goes into 7th grade, which is when she would enter Junior High. We will get her a phone when she is more independent, even though she wouldn't be at school alone, I am a teacher at the school she would go to. I couldn't imagine other parents and the teachers reaction to the thought that a 6 y/o has a cell phone. This truly is the craziest thing I have heard recently.

Answer 27

not a good idea to young and if there are any proplems she always has the bus driver and teacher listen to your husband and dont get her a cell that young cause when she grows up shes only going to be asking for more

Answer 28

I see your concern, I think six is too young but if you are that worried you can try the phones that are for kids only and have safety features and can only hold only the numbers you want it too EX:  your number, dads, grandmas etc...If something were to happen I'm sure she could figure how to use it I've heard some amazing stories about young children doing the right thing

Answer 29

i wouldnt get my son a cell phone and he is 6. he wont have anybody to call and its unneccesary.

you have 5 girls. so if you get one at the age of 6 you have to get them all one at 6. . . .it can get expensive.

Answer 30

Calm down. If your daughter gets in trouble at school or is having an allergic reaction, they will call you. Don't forget, they have a phone! You can call and check in at the school once a day if you want. But 6 year olds would not handle a cell phone very well. They can't have them on in school and will probably get them confescated if they are on! So remember, the school has a phone so she doesn't need one! Even if it is a firefly! Hope I helped!