Should I get my son a cellphone?

Question

He really wants one, but then he got mine and did something and then he raised my bill up to $400. And I punished him and told him I would not buy him a cellphone because of what he did, and he also failed one class and had to go to summer school. I punished him for both things, but should I still buy him a cellphone? He wants the Motorazr from Sprint and choose a plan for it and all. Should I get him it?

Answer 1

UM NO! As a parent you have to stick to your guns or they'll walk all over you and never respect you! Tell him that if his grades improve with the next semester then you will think about it again.  And if he gives you flack because you said you would give it to him for his birthday just tell him that having a phone is a big responsibility and he has to earn that privilege by showing you he knows how to be responsible.

Answer 2

So lets see here..... He's only 12, raised your bill, failed a class, and had to go to summer school and you're STILL considering buying him a phone? Don't you see anything wrong with that?

He obviously isn't responsible enough for a phone.

Answer 3

Absolutely not! $400???? who do you think will be paying for his cell phone bills? and if he's proved that he isn't going to use it responsibly i would definitely not buy him one.

My mum used to have a rule that we could have one when we could pay for it ourselves ... which is fair enough ... and now my brother has gotten himself a job i advised him not to get a phone because thats where all your money goes and you don't save and buy better things with your money.

Answer 4

Wait until the end of school. Tell him he needs to have atleast a B in every class when school ends so that it can be a reward that he has to work for.

Answer 5

Well to begin with you son needs some guidance, he is only, but many kids his age do have cell phones.  Punishment is not the answer here - guidance is.

Do you think that he needs a cell phone?  I got my kids one at that age it gave me peace.  They knew the rules, I went over them before hand.  They knew their minutes, how much texting they had (they used that the most), and that if their father or I called - THEY HAD TO ANSWER!  You can show him or look yourself on line to keep track of minutes and stuff.

In the end this is your decision to make, you know if he needs a cell phone or not

Answer 6

How old is he?

If you told him you would not buy him one, I think you should stick to it.  What happens if you do get him one, he will think you are not serious with your punishment.

If he is 15 or younger -----h**l NO

Answer 7

No I would not, and I would also make him do extra chores around the house until it equaled $400.00 even if it took a year.

I think it is ridiculous how young kids are getting cell phones now days.

Answer 8

1. he is 12,

2. he doesn't undersand that it costs money.

so no. I would get a pay as you go phone that way he can do chores and such to pay for the minutes and when he runs out of minutes that is his fault.

Answer 9

HECK NO! If you do, get him on that pays by the month and when he is out of money on his phone, he is out of luck until the next month. Don't put him on your plan unless you really want those HIGH bills.

Answer 10

Hes already shown you that he cannot be trusted with a cell phone.  Plus he failed a class, and you are thinking about rewarding him?  I would say definately not.  Even brushing the failed class aside, because technically its not related to the issue, he raised your bill to $400, that to me shows he cannot be trusted with his own phone.  I wouldnt let him get one until he is old enough to have a job and pay the bill himself, then he surely wont ring the bill up to $400.

Answer 11

If you promised him that cellphone, then get him the cellphone but only after he promises he will not play or do whatever with yours. It will be good for you as well, being able to talk to him wherever he is.

Answer 12

first of all, i don't see why it is necessary to buy a 12 year old a cell phone.

second of all, if you're supposed to be punishing him for his acts, you need to be consistant

i didn't get a cell phone until i was able to work and pay for it myself. i suggest you do the same with your son. it worked for me! and it taught me responsibility and how to manage my money.

Answer 13

Well i think you should make an agreement with him somting like if he wants a cell phone have him pa for half or something in that arena.

Answer 14

a little spoiled much??? No, I would not get him one. I think anything younger than 15 or 16 is too young. The $400.00 bill should just show you that he isn't ready.

Answer 15

Let me get this straight now, I don't want to assume a thing.  Your son raised your bill up $400, he failed a class in school, and you are still asking if he should have a cellphone?  I would love a Motorazor, and I cannot afford it- LET ALONE A 12 YEAR OLD- what are you thinking?  If you buy your son a cell phone after what happened, don't cry if the bill again is too high to pay. Do you think it will be any different if he has his own? Also you are possibly allowing your 12 year old to dictate to you. Who has the problem here?

Answer 16

I will never understand why so many parents get their kids cell phones at such young ages. I plan to give my daughter one when she graduates from highschool. Just as my parents did for me. If there is ever an emergency, they can use a friend's cell, ir find a payphone/lan line.

If you do get him a cell, it would be wise to have a pre-paid one so he cannot run up your bill with games, texts, and other overage issues.

Answer 17

I didn't have a cell phone until I was 18!!! I wouldn't buy him one, why does a 12 year old need a cell phone??? He doesn't sound responsible enough to use it wisely, and if he raised your bill up to $400 once, he'll probably do that for his own bill, and you'll be the one paying for it. I would at least make him wait until he has a job and can make the payments on his own, or can at least be held financially responsible if he does raise the bill too high.