A 7-year old with a cell phone???

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I don't even have a cell phone.

[1savvydiva]

I agree with you KillarneyRose, that is just a waste of money. Like all the other people said here, if she is somewhere she doesn't have access to a phone, she doesn't need to be there! I could see if she was in high school, and even then, I would get just one of those 'emergency' cell phones that only dial home and 911. LOL

[Rio_Kohitsuji]

Well, I can see reasons for and against it. My neice (who is 12) has her own phone and is actually responsible with it. I guess it's how the child is and their level of maturity to handle having an expensive piece of equipment with them.

[ADPiViolets]

SHE DOES NOT NEED A CELL PHONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hell, I probably don't even need a cell phone.

Get her a Calling Card or something, but I'd give a great big NO to the cell phone.




Just my 2 cents though.

[juniorgrrl]

If a child is responsible and understands what the phone is for, I don't think its that bad of an idea. My cousin got her phone when she was 9. She knows that she can use it for nights/weekends all she wants, but that during the day, not to use it unless its an emergency. It also comes in handy when my aunt is running low on minutes on her phone, then they just switch out phones. They've never had a problem with it. Its come in handy many times when she's been at dance team practice and its ended early and the school office was closed.

It definitely depends on the maturity level of the child. My cousin is EXTREMELY mature for her age (she'll be 11 next month). So, she understands the repercussions of going over minutes, etc.

I know that with Cingular, you can get about 200 minutes for $20 on a prepaid plan that recharges every 3 months w/rollover minutes - not too bad of a deal if she only uses the phone within set limits.

[AOIIalum]

Gosh, I can't even imagine any of my guys having a cell phone until they can pay for it themselves! Period!

My middle son is camping this weekend, and it's specifically stated NO ELECTRONIC DEVICES, INCLUDING PHONES are allowed. It's possible the same rules are in effect for your child's day camps. In addition if my child ever needed to call home while at day camp/camp, he usually was allowed (or the camp personnel called me directly.)

One thing we did purchase is a set of walkie-talkies for the boys. They're really quite nice and have a decent 2 mile range. They use them when they head out to a friend's house in the neighborhood so they can let us know when they get there safely and when they're heading home. It's also nice to be able to reach them if we need them home or whatever

The prices are coming down these days, so it may be a more logical option than a cell phone for a child.

HTH,
Christin

[Munchkin03]

I have had a cell phone once in my life: when I was living outside of the country just after 9/11, and wanted a way to contact family at any time. It was cheaper than using the landlines! I did see a lot of Italian kids with cell phones, but they weren't seven! There were many 11-12 year olds with them, but from what I've learned, European kids travel independent of their parents (ie, they use public transport more often, go to school on the opposite side of the city from their homes, etc.). So, I can see a child living in a large city, or one who went to school in a different area from their parents' home or work, having a cell phone. This isn't the case for you, is it?

[sororitygirl2]

I do think 7 is a little young, but I can see reasons for preteen kids to have phones. I mean, a little kid can't really take care of themself, and while they should always have adult supervision, what if, God forbid, something did happen? Wouldn't you want her to be able to get a hold of you?

I say don't get the phone for your 7-year-old, because she should always be with you or a trusted caretaker and you should always know where she is anyway. She can go to whoever she ios with if there is a problem. But, around age 10, I think a cell phone with some usage-guidelines would be a good idea.

[bucutie02]

I remember that I didnt even have a cell phone in high school, but like everyone else has said, things change.

My brother who is 15 has been wanting a cell phone for i dont know how long. My parents didnt want to get him one because they didnt think he really needed one. All of his friends have one, and have had one for about a year or two, which i think is a little ridiculous for a 12-13 yr. old CHILD to have one, but whatever, im not their parents.

So, this weekend I went in to get an upgrade, and it was then and there that my parents decided to give my brother my old phone and have a new line so he can use the phone. Of course, he wanted a top of the line phone with all the cool features, but he was grateful nonetheless for even having a phone. I always thought it was time for my brother to get a phone because he stays after school for soccer practices and they dont have a set time in which they end. Also, when he goes out with his friends, its a good way to get in touch with him or vice versa.

Phones are allowed at his school, and he has told me that sometimes the phones ring in class, and the teachers just tell them to turn it off, but its not a big problem so i think that is why it is still allowed.

Now, your 8 yr. old daughter does NOT need a phone. We need to remember she is still a child, that is in 2nd, 3rd grade???? I think it will just be money down the drain because how much of the minutes will she actually use anyway? She is always with atleast one of her parents, or friends parents. It will be money down the drain because i dont think an 8 year old is ready for that responsibility, and who wants kids growing up too fast anyway? Let her enjoy her childhood! From the post, i didnt get the impression that your daughter wanted the phone, just your husband. I wouldnt even think twice about the idea, she is too young!

[sugar and spice]

I don't think that a seven-year-old needs a cell phone, but neither do I think that she needs to wait till 15 -- I think middle school is the earliest any girl needs a cell phone. When I was in middle school/early high school, I was always running around to the mall and the movies and then needing to be picked up, and a cell phone would have helped a LOT. Before then, though, there was no use for it -- my friends and I never went anywhere where there wasn't a phone fairly close.

I wish I had some of you guys for parents . . . my parents wouldn't even buy me a cell phone when I was 18, and this when I was going to college out of state and could have definitely made good use of the long-distance nights & weekends.

[XOMichelle]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
That would pretty well sum it up for me.

I agree. Save your money, tell your husband he needs to sleep more.
-M

[Optimist Prime]

That sounds pretty absurd to me.