Why do parents LITERALLY give their kids cell phones??

Question

Why do parents do that? To get facts, straight, I am 13 years old, I don't have a cell phone. I don't need one. First of all I see all of these 10-14 years olds walking around with cell phones, and their parents give them these cell phones and pay the bill for them. Second, of all some of these kids don't even have anything to do and they sit on there butts and text or talk all day. I can't understand if u have football practice or something, but come on seriously. If I get a cellphone I am going to have to pay it with my own money. ( I get money for mowing the neighbors lawns.)

Answer 1

I agree. My kids won't have cell phones. I don't believe the radiation against someone's head is harmless and use my cell phone as little as possible and with a ear piece. The research that says they're safe is always funded by the companies that make the phones. Hmmm.

Answer 2

My kids are 9 and will not get one till they can pay for it themselves. We have an emergency phone that they use on a rare occasion such as they went out with Scouts with a leader and I gave it to them to call me when they got back to the hall to save the leader having to call. Kids should not be left at a young age in places where they need a phone. They should be supervised. I guess I just don't understand why a 10 year old can't call their friend on the home phone and chat if they need to

Answer 3

Your just asking this question cause you don't have one..

If you did you would understand..

P.S.They do not cause brain tumors.

edit: Nobody really agrees with you so...whatever.

Answer 4

My 13 year old has one that we pay for.  She can use it within the restrictions and plan we set for her.

Why?  Because it is an issue of safety.

Answer 5

cuz we're spoiled.

I have one, and I'm 14, but I don't really want one.

Answer 6

parents give them cell phones because they want their kids to be able to get help in an emergency but usually kids just use them to text.

Answer 7

One it can be as young as 6.

Two, parents do that because they feel that if they don't, their kids will be "uncool".

My opinion....children should NOT have cellphones until they are FULLY responsible.

Answer 8

Cause they are the parents that would rather give their kids stuff instead of spending time with them or having to deal with them.  Good for you for working  to pay for things that you want.  That means you will grow up to be responsible about money.  Sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders.  Your parents should be proud of you.  Good luck with school and in all you do in life.  God Bless.

Answer 9

I have 5 step kids the two oldest are 11 and 12 and they both have one my wife and I also have one the reason my wife got them cell phones is because she dont trust people (I also dont) and most phones anymore you can track where someone is if you have reason to think something is wrong the other 3 kids will be getting one at 10 maybe 9 years old which I think is good for the kids I am a police officer and I have seen stuff happen to kids that could have been helped if they had a phone that they could be tracked down by  

Answer 10

I have a mobile phone, I got it when I started highschool which in Australia is at the age of 13. My parents payed for it, but I have to pay for the credit on it. I use it for when I'm out and need to get in contact with my parents. Some people need mobile phones. Like the other day, band was cancelled so I had to text mum to pick me up. If I hadn't had a phone I would have been stuck at school for 2 hours!

Answer 11

I have to travel far for school here in New York and my mom needs to know exactly when to pick me up at the ferry.

Answer 12

My children do not have a cell phone. When they have practice or an away game they have one to call home for a ride. It is to call me and that is it. There is no need for them to talk and text 24/7. They can have one when they drive but they  will not be on it constantly either.  

Answer 13

I don't have one don't need one don't want one.

Simple, oh and I'm *&^#%$&&#* years old...

They do it becuase probaly both parents work and they fell like their child needs everything so the child takes over and demnads stuff such as a computer, cell phone, xbox, ps3 etc...

I got a computer at age 10 but heres the catch.... I PAID FOR HALF.

hehe close to your age...

Thanks

SuperMan

Answer 14

My kids have them...ages 12, 14 and 17 so that we can communicate about their whereabouts...they are all busy with work, school activities and volunteering. We have an agreement, they pay half the bill each month and I pay the other. I agree there is no need for children who have nothing to do all day, but in my case, cell phones are a must because plans change and I need to be immediately notified...no excuses. I don't allow constant talking on them, we just use them when we are on the go.

Answer 15

I agree. This is something children need to be taught responsibility on. Otherwise, they'll text and talk all day and run up some phone bill. And not think twice about it because mommy and daddy will take care of it. I didn't get a cell phone until I was old enough to pay for it myself. I did fine borrowing my friend's phones in emergencies. My kids will do the same.

Answer 16

My son is 12 and I let him use my cell phone whenever he leaves the house to go out with his friends.  And believe you me, it's the bottom of the barrel model, trust me.  I cannot afford those fancy, expensive phones.

When he's home, he has to use the home phone.

The only time I don't let him have it is when he's in school.  

I want him to have the phone so I know where he is at all times.  And he can call me if he ever has a problem.  

I basically have the cell phone for emergencies, when we're out driving, that sort of thing. We don't talk on it that much at all.

Answer 17

My son (now about your age) got a cellphone when he was about 9 yrs old for safety. He took classes on the weekend and the neighborhood was questionable, so I felt better if I knew he could contact me directly, not look around the big building for a phone in an emergency.

I got my son a prepay cellphone rather than put him on our account, in case he lost the phone it wouldn't end up costing us too much. His phone service only cost $5 a month, which included $5 worth of calls, and unused time rolled over to the next month -- so it was very cheap. He got the phone as a christmas present.

You are very right that kids your age sometimes spend all their time on their phone. I make sure my son leaves his phone away from where he's doing his homework, to avoid temptation. He's pretty good about it, but some of his friends, especially the girls, are totally addicted!

Regarding cellphones and cancer, here are some interesting articles for you to read. So far there is no definitive proof that they do, but to be on the safe side, I always pick a phone with a low SAR rating and tend to use speaker phone. Also, cordless phones may have the same (but less) risk.

http://www.justicenewsflash.com/2008/08/...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion...

Good for you for paying for your own cellphone when you get one! That is very responsible.

Answer 18

Ummm For emergencies! If something happens I want mine(siblings) to get a hold of me quick!.

There are a lot of freaks out there.

Cellphones can be very helpful, If used correctly.

Answer 19

First and foremost, there is NOT evidence to prove cell phones cause cancer.

Next, My child will also pay for their own cell.  They will have one that I give them that is programmed to only call certain numbers (companies are beginning to provide that type of service now) so that they can get a hold of me, 911 or whomever I feel they may need to reach.  I dont have a landline, and pay phones are quickly disappearing. But if they want to talk to their friends or whatever, they will have to either pay for it themselves, or do something to earn it.

But most parents give them to their kids because either the child has thrown a temper tantrum for it, the parent feels guilty and is over compensating, or the parent honestly sees nothing wrong with it.

Answer 20

This sounds like a rant....

to answer your question though-- if there is one--- it is that parents want to keep track of the their children. this is an easy way.

Answer 21

I decided to get my 9 yr old twins a cell phone when I started to take my 5 yr old to his practices also.  One of the practices went late and I had no cell phone number for the twins' coach.  They thought they saw my car and ran to the parking lot.  It wasn't me and by the time I got there, they were roaming the parking lot of the local high school!  I would hope that they would know better, but they just ran.  I don't blame the coach because there are 12 9 yr old boys on the team and I know how hard it is to keep track of 2.

They don't get to just make calls, they can only call numbers that I have programmed in.  It also has a GPS tracker in it so I can see where they are at any time.  There is also a way that I can get a text message if, for example, their phone goes more than 1/4 mile away from soccer practice.

When they can get a job, they can pay for their phones and the usage.  Until then, it's really just another security blanket for me.

Answer 22

Cause a lot of kids these days are getting spoiled.

Answer 23

I see, you're jealous and possibly poor.

Cell phones are necessary in this day and age. The fact that you are 13 and don't have one strikes me as sad. Are you underprivileged? You should call Child Protective services and report your parents.

Answer 24

Not every kid that you see had there parents buy them the cell phone. I'm also 13, I have a cell phone, I bought it with my own money. Every week I get a bill. I fill out all of the necessary information, I write a cheque from my bank account, and I mail the bill. That's it. Nothing else to it, my parents have nothing to do with the process. I use the cell phone to talk to my family when I'm out on business calls with my dad. I also text my brother when his phone isn't on, to talk to him when I really need to. I don't talk and text all day. I've used only 8 minutes this month, and the month is almost over. So yeah, think about it.  

Answer 25

My brother has one and he is 9 he has had one since he was 6. I got my first when I was 18. My Mom just decided that she didn't want to pay for a land phone and a cell phone bill too so she got everyone phones at the same time. So I was 18 my sister was 11 and my brother was 6 and we all got phones at the same time. She couldn't have left my brother and sister at home without a phone. It's not that they were home alone a lot but even if it's 5 mins there could still be an emergency. I have kids of my own now and I would rather pay for a land phone and a cell and not let my kids get one until they can drive but that's just me. To each their own.

Answer 26

Because they like spending lots of money. I got a cell phone when I could drive so that if something ever happened I could call. Once I wanted to use it more I got my own plan and a phone I wanted with my own money. I think something like a cell isn't something to just hand to a kid. I've heard horror stories because parents don't monitor who the kid is talking to. Just plain not a good idea.

Answer 27

I agree with you. I have 4 boys. My oldest are 13 yr old twins turning 14 soon and neither of them have a cell phone. They don't really need one. If they wanted one I would be ok with it as long as they bought it themself and paid the bill.

My 11 yr old has a cell phone. He bought it this past April with his birthday money and other money he had saved. It was $10.00 a month to add his new line and he paid a full years worth. We already had unlimited texting.

I think if they want one they should pay for it themself. My 11 yr old doesn't use his that much. He takes it to practice with him and when he goes to a friends. He takes it to school but keeps it in his locker off all day. he just uses it to let me know if he is staying after. He sometimes gets a call here and there from his friends but most of the time the phone is in his beroom turned off LOL

Even if they can pay for it themself I think there is limits to how old I would allow them to get one. My youngest is 8 and even if he got enough money for his birthday to buy one, I would not allow it. He would never want one anyway but just an example.

Answer 28

It's an easy way for parents to contact their kids at all times. Also we don't just sit and talk and text all day for your information. Maybe that's what you would do with a cell phone, but not most of the kids with cell phones. And cell phones will only cause brain tumors if you text and talk endlessly for 5 hours or more 7 days a week. I think you probably are just upset you cant have a cell phone, so you act like cellphones are stupid and that you dont want one when you really do.