I want to get my son a cell phone. Should I start out with a used one for his first cell phone?

Question

He's only 11 but will start riding the bus next year and he says most of his friends have one (new ones). Any advice from other parents regarding this would be appreciated.

Answer 1

I'm not a parent, however my sister has one who is 8 for when shes walking to her nans incase she needs it, most places these days do them pretty cheap, I saw some in WHSmiths (not sure if you are from the UK), and saw them selling phones for £10-£30.

Answer 2

you can get fairly cheap ones with "pay as you go plans". this way you can tell him it's only for emergencies, and if he loses it you won't be paying for a cell phone plan you aren't using. Either that or try those family plans with fave 5s. Then he can call you for free.

Answer 3

There is no reason for an 11 year old to have a cell phone. Put a block on text messages if you do give him one, otherwise you may end up with a huge bill.

All phone companies will give you a nice free phone with a new contract. There is no reason to pay for a used one when a new one is free.

Answer 4

I think you should ge your son a cell phone but why not get him a cheap new one instead of a used one. Getting him a cell phone is an exciting time for him- give him a new one to show to him that you trust he is old enough and ready to have one to make this time more special. You don't have to go all out and get him an expensive phone but you can find some nice cheap phone.

Hope this helps!=)

~Brooklyn

Answer 5

He doesn't NEED a cellphone...tell him that if he WANTS one to pay for his own phone and phone plan.  I have an 11 year old, she doesn't have a cellphone and SHE is going to be starting high school in August.

Answer 6

get him a free one. at this age they're just happy to have a cell phone. he'll want a cool one in a year or two. wait until then so that you can get a good one for him.

Answer 7

There are 2 ways to look at giving him a used one:

1. He won't care what kind of phone, because it's his own phone.

2. He'll be embarrassed that everyone has new ones while he has an old one.

If you're willing to get a new or old ask if he'd mind getting a used one. If he doesn't care then, by all means get it.

Whatever you get you should get a case to put around it, so when he drops (and he definately will) it will be protected. If you go for a used phone maybe spring for a good case.

Check out radio shack because they have a lot of universal ones that can fit most phones and aren't over $10.

Cases:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?...

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....

http://www.radioshack.com/product/index....

Answer 8

no..

he should get a new, nice one and it will teach him responsibility , that he has a nice phone and really needs to take care of it. To prove he can take care of a cell phone

Answer 9

this is up to you but i would get him something new but definitly cheap, i would also make sure he doesnt use it all the time if you are on a contract because he will run up your bill, i would also probably make sure it has a gps thing so you can track him. thats just my opinion

Answer 10

Just get him a cheap new prepaid one, so nobody's going to want to steal it and if he loses it you've lost very little.

If he only wants an expensive brand, then he doesn't need a cellphone.

Answer 11

Personally i think having a cell phone at 11 is just stupid.  Especially since he wants one cuz "everyone else has one."

Answer 12

if you do get him a phone at his age no camera would be best camera phones with children is a horrible idea. get him something simple and cheep.

Answer 13

I would get a trac type phonbe pay as you go if you want him to use it only for ...emergencies, or just a quick check in with you. They are really cheap at Big LotsAnother way is to add him to your family plan if you can, he's 11 so nothing to fancy, most plans will give you a free phone when you add a line (new phone number) We added a third line for only $10.00 through Verizon.. Just watch your minutes if he goes over it will cost you .40 per minute.  It adds up quick! I think for a first timer I would get him a Trac phone then you will know how much he uses it & if it's worth signing a contract.

Answer 14

I'm not a parent, but I'm an older sister of an 11 year old boy.

They want a new phone. Not a used one. That way, they can call it their own, and someone else hasn't used it. Plus, imagine all the germs on a "used phone". EWWW!!

Plus, it will teach him responsiblity with his things.

Hope, Luck, and Wishes!

Answer 15

yes start out with a used 1.When you feel he is responsible enough for a new one, then get it for him.I got my first cell phone from my dad.Then once they thought i was responsible they got me an enV for my birthday.

Answer 16

start with a used phone and pay as you go minutes.

you can try one of these

http://www.kajeet.com/4u/index.html

http://www.fireflymobile.com/

some only have certain pre-programmed buttons so they can only call home and help, others are all use but you can prohgram to only use so many minutes and not during school time or late nights.

Answer 17

There is an awesome company named Kajeet that makes cellphones just for kids.

They have plans that you as a parent can control and monitor.  You can even enable certain features and disable others at will.

This is definitely going to be the company you should check out.

Here is a link to a ton of great reviews and detailed information about Kajeet:

http://www.prepaidreviews.com/kajeet.htm...

Answer 18

Hmm.  So, if all of his friends get their kids expensive cars, are you going to be able to keep up with that, too?

I don't even have a cell phone, and don't want one.

Wasn't there a thing in the news awhile back that they caused brain cancer?

You might want to check on-line about that.

Otherwise, I guess, follow the crowd.  Call up one of the other mommies who are catering to their kids, and ask her.

Answer 19

Not sure why you'd even consider a used once since you can get brand new ones for free all over the place.  It doesn't really matter though.  A phone is a phone. (for an 11 year old, that is.)

Answer 20

You should have bought him a used one a long time ago. If you procrastinate with responsibilities of a child it's not good. Does he have any other valuable items that he can learn responsibilities with before you go to the phone?

Answer 21

I have major issues with kids needing their own phones. Growing up I was jealous of my friends that had their own land line phone in their rooms~~I can't imagine how hard it is for today's kids to try to keep up with their friends! The cell phone itself is best new with a buddy plan to your phone. That means it won't cost much now, but it does usually tie you into a 2 yr contract for service.

I rode the bus without a phone. So did my hubby. So did almost everyone I know (some lived in town and didn't ride the bus). Getting a child the latest trend just because their friends have it is just teaching that child to be materialistic and that you're only cool if you have the latest gadgets. My kids will ride the bus too soon and they WILL NOT have cell phones at all until they are old enough to pay the bill & are driving. Bus drivers still have cb's in the bus and can always get ahold of someone if there's ever an emergency, so that takes care of the need for one while riding a bus. The Disney phone is a decent idea, but what if his friends tease him for having that particular phone?

Answer 22

No cell phone at all.  A waste of money for a child.  If all his friends jump off a cliff, you gonna let him? He should never be alone. There's always a way he can contact you in an emergency..the bus driver has a phone...

Answer 23

Depends on the condition of it.  You can get tons of free cell phones (or very low priced ones) that are new all over the place.  But remember, if he complains, just tell him that he should be grateful taht he has it, for kids his age did not have cell phones in the 20th century!!  Anyways, hope I helped!!

Answer 24

deffinintly a used or cheap/good deal on one, they are pron to dropping them, getting it stolen, losing them, dropping them in toilets..lol anything can happen to it!

Answer 25

I got my first cell phone when I was 11. I got it when my mom got her work phone so I got her 3 year old Razor. It was not used that much but she gave it to me instead of buying a new one. I hope this helped.

-Tara

Answer 26

if you just want one to contact him and for him just to contact you..go to verizon and many other places have them as well, but there are phones where he can only call you.

another thing i got my son for his 11th birthday was another one from verizon that is very sturdy, water proof, and i think electric shock proof.

it was a very good present for a 11 year old boy

Answer 27

u should get him a new one bucuz if you get him a an old one, he'll probably hate u. get him a nice cheap new phone.

Answer 28

Depends because some parents don't care and buy them Cell Phones and some parents thing that they would run up a huge bill so they get their kids Tracfones and their are some parents that say you don't need one like mine do!

Answer 29

i got my first phone when i was 12 and in the 6th grade but only because i was in a carpool and needed to have one in ase something happened. i was given a very cheap phone. everybody else that i know that got the same phone had it for a temporary/replacement phone while they were waiting for a new phone, but it was very strong and durable and then you can set goals. (if you get all a's on your report card you can have a new phone, etc.) it worked for me

Answer 30

I'd get him a Disney Mobile phone. It'd be new, but it'd be a cheap one. Also, you can track where he is and who he's called with your computer! It's what my 11 year old has.

Here's the link to their website:

http://disney.go.com/mainstreet/mobile/m...

They also come in cool styles and colors.

Answer 31

i would get him a go phone so you can pay as you go or go to at&t because they have lots of free phones ...here is the

url-

http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-s...