Why is it that kids need to text rather than actually talk on their cellphones?

Question

I asked my son if I paid for 500 texts a month for an extra $10 a month, would that be enough? He said NO!! He thinks 1000 texts would be enough. Why the need to text? It's expensive as it is just to pay for the extra line and minutes, but to have to pay for texting too?

Oh and he is only 13 years old.

Answer 1

Here's an idea:

Instead of asking him how much he needs, why not just get him what you think he will need (500 texts a month, or whatever), and let him pay the balance if he goes over that amount.

Or you could let him pay his entire portion of the phone bill to teach him about financial responsibility.

Or you could just not give him a cell phone at all. I don't see why 13 year olds need cell phones for talking, let alone texting.

Answer 2

What carrier do you use? AT&T, Verizon, etc?...I use AT&T, and have myself + 4 other people on my plan, so we have everything unlimited, because in the end my grandparents are saving money on the bill. Before we had unlimited, I went over almost every month (I only got 1,000..) but now I use around probably 3-4,000 a month (That's incoming & outgoing messages)...Yeah, ridiculous I KNOW! lol, and my brother is 11 and he uses probably 1-200 a month, not too much...But since your son is in middle school *I'm guessing*, then he probably wants to be able to text girls LOL without you hearing everything...Just be careful and make sure he's not taking advantage of the texting...Don't let him over rule you momma!

Answer 3

it gets rid of that akward silence

Answer 4

IM A TEEN AND IM A PRO AT TEXTING. IM THE QUEEN NOAW JOKES ASIDE BUT:::

THE REASON WE TEXT THEN CALL BECAUSE IT'S EASIER TO SAY WHAT YOU WANT TO SAY THEN WHEN YOU'RE ON THE PHONE.

Answer 5

if he thinks he needs 1000 txt a month then he needs to wait until he has a job to get a phone. That is ridiculous. If he has to have a phone then get him a pre paid that you only put a certain amount on per month and once he is out then he has to wait till the month is out to get more.

Answer 6

I like to text better than call, only because it makes me feel more secure. As if i was talking to a boy, or someone i liked, it doesn't make me as nervous as talking on the phone. Also, phone calls tend to get boring.. You can just have fun texting :)

Answer 7

cause its easier :)

Answer 8

Does a 13 year old really need a cell??? Shouldn't he be out playing street hockey or something?

Answer 9

I think it is safer to text than talk because a new study just came out about brain tumors and cell phones.  I don't even use my cell but to have 30 seconds or less conversations anymore.  If he can't be responsible enough to stay in his text limit then the natural consequence would be to lose the text option and have a set number of minutes he must stay within (only for calling you to report his whereabouts etc) Maybe this could be for a week or the full billing cycle, just an idea, but be realistic with him and he will learn real life skills.   :)

Answer 10

because it's easier and takes less corage. :P

Answer 11

Put your foot down and tell him that you are not paying for extra. Jeez, who runs your house, you or your child?

Answer 12

Kids would rather text, because it is another form of play or entertainment.  I think that we have encouraged our kids to think of the telephone as a toy.  When I was younger, a kid would get in huge trouble for playing on the phone.  Now they have their own phones to call whomever they please, whenever they want to.  I'm not trying to harp on the situation, but it is my opinion that kids are kids until they are 18 and they don't have the mature understanding to be able to handle such responsibility.  It is however a good learning tool, when used restrictively.  Again this is just my opinion and it's okay if someone has a different one.

Answer 13

Private conversations that can't be said out loud. I mean come on! He's 13, he dont want you listening. lol. Im 21 and would rather text than talk, so it's common. We had to get unlimited after I taught my husband how to text. It might save money in the long run, he wont waste your minutes.

Answer 14

i text all the time because im hard of hearing sometimes

Answer 15

Sometimes texting is just quicker than having an entire conversation.  I think I pay $5/month for unlimited texting and our plan is through verizon.  Granted, I'm not 13, but I still text.  I think I use around 50 texts/month. Just weigh your options.  You could go with a low minutes plan and unlimited texting.

Answer 16

Fun and give more time to think and faster. You get bored talking in the phone and you can text more people at same time than talking in the phone.

Answer 17

well i am 13 years old and there are many reasons that i use the 4-5,000 a month that i do:

-no awkward silences

-fast for just a quick reminder or notification

-you can take longer to come up with something clever :)

-talking to multiple people at one time

-easy

-better for keeping in touch with people you don't have time to talk to every day

-possible any time of day

-can make plans while informing parents of updates ;)

+many, many more

Answer 18

well prob because they dont really want 2 talk just to tell thier friends

not only that but u can carefully craft a txt

it could also be a mark of our degenerating social connectionas among those od a younger generation

pic ur fav

Answer 19

Cell phones are toys for kids.  Don't look at them through the same eyes as an adult.  Its a replacement for the old game boy.

If you want your kid playing with a toy that costs $50 a month, then go for it.  By the way we have unlimited texting and my daughter does roughly 100 texts a day..... (and so does her mom).

But also think of this as a toy, just because everyone else has this toy, does not mean that you need to spend $50 a month.  At 13 your son shouldn't be at a point where he needs to call home when he's driving home from the all night prom party.... so don't go for the 'piece of mind' excuse either.

Answer 20

Why would you ask him if that is enough?  He gets what you pay for.  A 13 yo can earn his own money.

Answer 21

when you are in class. talking on the phone is not an option. so texting is! =D so there is your answer.