Cell Phone?

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by NewBeliever:
......Do you think that teenagers need a cell phone?
Personally I do not think they need one. Yes a cell phone can be great to have in an emergency, but there is so much potential for abuse that I think it is a bad idea....
Bill<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't think there is a one-size fits all rule possible here. It really comes down to know your own child and the situations he or she is in.
My son who is now driving to some activities takes my cell phone with him. There are LOTS of things that can happen on the road. I want him to be able to contact us immediately. He takes it for MY peace of mind, not his.

Karen

 

I lived my life for 37 years without a cell phone. Then my place of employment asked me to get one. ... and now, I won't turn it back in!

It is more of a handy thing that sometimes quenches my independance, but I guess people were concerned about me.. .

I don't know that in general, that teens need a cell phone, but there are times that it is better that we all carry one.

[ December 28, 2001: Message edited by: SaggyWoman ]

 

We've had a cell phone twice. My daughter would take it with her so I, also, would know where she was and I could get in contact with her when needed.

She lost it both times.

For Christmas this year, "Santa" put a calling card in her stocking....

The cell phone was convenient, but we are managing to muddle through without it.

In the meantime, when we built this house, we did not put telephone jacks in any bedroom except ours. And the teens always had a time limit on the phone unless the call was an extraordinary one (long distance, a sobbing friend, etc.) We do have cordless phones, however, so calls can be private.

 

When I go out, I take my mother's cell phone. It hasn't caused any problems, and it comes in handy. At home, I have my own phone line, but it's in the living room, and the phone is not cordless. So my parents can always supervise my phone calls, if they want to.

--Odette

 

I don't drive yet so it is not that big of a deal! My family has one but they would never think of getting me my own right now! I don't see the point in having one at this time!

 

Well, I really think that it all depends on the kid. You see, sometimes I haven't proven myself all that trustworthy, so my parents wouldn't have ever let me use a cell phone. Now, I think that they'll trust me more. It just depends how trustworthy they are. Just my opinion.

 

I could not live without a cell phone.

Seriously. (OK, maybe I could)

I have 500 free weekday and 3000 free weekend minutes anywhere in the US for $39.99. I pay almost the same for my home phone which I rarely use.

I have a long daily commute, travel a lot so a cell phone is a must! Not to mention the secure feeling in case of an emergency. JBotwinick called me for a BB related emergency while I was in Florida. Priceless.

 

Webmaster, who is your service for your cell phone with?

 

Kids need cell phones just like I needed a car. It's a symbol of independence! Cell phones destroy my brain cells and seeing as I don't have many I try not to use them as much.

 

I'm 19 and never had a phone in my room they were always downstairs but were cordless so I could bring them anywhere in the house. Sometimes it would bother me not having my own phone in my room like my friends but then since I could bring the cordless upstairs it didn't bother me that much. I am looking into getting a cell phone when my car runs again so incase of an emergency I can call for help and not be stranded somewhere all alone. Or if someone needs to get ahold of me quickly for an emergency or even to pick some milk up from the store they can call my cell phone.

 

My parents got a cell phone for me when I got my first car. They wanted me to call them whenever I got somewhere or was leaving somewhere. Other than that I only used it to call my friends if I was leaving school and coming to pick them up ( I had a friend that I picked up from her house to go to my house after school a lot) When I got my mom's old car, a cell phone was already installed in the car. I was glad that I didn't have to carry one around. I hated to talk on the phone and drive at the same time, and my dad would always call me. So, I was very thankful when something got spilled on it and it broke (someone pulled in front of me) I think that there is nothing wrong with having a cell phone if you are responsible enough to use your minutes wisely. (also, every number I called showed up on the monthly bill, so my parents monitored who I talked to closely)

 

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SaggyWoman:
Webmaster, who is your service for your cell phone with?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

VoiceStream Wireless

 

I am 17 and have had a cell phone for 2 years. I agree with the other - it really does depend on your child. I only use the phones for emergencies like someone needs to pick me up or they need me to pick something up. It is just another one of those safety precautions my parents like to take !!!

 

I personally don't see a problem with a kid having his or her own cell phone. I do think each kid is different and some can be responsible with them and some may not be. Until the kid has proven to be irresponsible with one, I'd say there is no reason to not give them a cell phone.

It is way different to have your own phone with you than to have to stop at a pay phone or have a calling card. What if your kid is in trouble and can't make it to the nearest phone at least if they have a cell phone they have an instant connection.

karen

 

I can't live without my cell phone!!

 

I think, with new drivers out there, especially single kids [with no bros. or sis. left at home] need cell phones. Regular phones usualy aren't handy, and most teens could care less on using pay phones..

That's just my opinion...

 

I've had a cell phone since I was 13. My step-father and mother bought it for me for my birthday, because I was beginning to "assert my independence," as they said. They wanted to be able to get ahold of me, and if I got into any trouble, they wanted me to be able to call home, no matter what. It was a big help when my car would break down after I got my license. (I still hate that car, and my mother still owns it)

Now, I don't have one, but my husband does... it's so pointless, though. He leaves it home all the time.

One day last week, I called him when he was out to ask him something, and his nightstand started ringing...

 

My husband, myself, and both of our kids have cellphones. In fact, I just got a cellphone that I could carry around after my husband bought a new cellphone with a better service contract for our 19 year old son a few months ago.I got the old cellphone and he go the new one. It didn't matter to me though, as I really don't like using my cellphone unless I have to. Our son is away at college about 4 hours from us. Our daughter is 22 years old and we gave her a cellphone to use when she was a junior in high school and she is a senior in college now.She is at college about 3 hours away from our home. I worry about them on the roads, in their cars traveling to and from college, going out to eat or driving home for a visit with us. There are evil people out there and I don't want them relying on a stranger to stop and help them if they have car trouble. In fact, just a couple of days ago a man from Utah was murdered here giving a man a lift from a convenience store. This vacationer had been living here since Christmas with his wife and was suppose to head home this coming Monday.I tell my kids not to pick up hitchikers, although, I'll admit it, I have before. The cellphone is for their safety and my sanity!I personally require them to have a cellphone so that we can reach them when we need to get in contact with them. They don't abuse their cellphone privileges so I think it's a smart safety investment, at least it is in my family.