Should teens get their own cell phone?

[RobCruz]

Should teens get their own cell phone? In the age when Columbine & 9/11 happened, parents without a doubt give their teens a cell phone so that they can keep in touch with each other or for emergency. On the other had, the critics argued that teens don't need cell phone because they will abuse it. Like talking on the cell phone while crossing down the street, gossiping to their friends, showing off the cell phone to their friends, and schools don't allow cell phone anyway? What do you think?

[nero]

most schools, at least around here ((montgomery county/PG county MD)) allow cell phones in schools however with restrictions such as they must be either off, on vibrate/silent. im 19 and i had a cell phone since i was 17 and i think its very useful if teens have cell phones, so the lin of communication is almost always open. and that reassures peace of mind if anything else for the parent/gaurdian. =D
and yea, doesnt matter if they show off their phones... i'd show off my new car if i got one, wouldnt you? or if i was the first kid on the blcok with a PS2, i'd also be the first one boasting and showing it off ! [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img]
and about crossing the street... thats the parents judgement call; if their kid is prone to being oblivious... perhaps a cell phone isnt the best idea for safety reasons such as the one you stated, but for the most part i doubt a cell phone would be a serious impedement on the safety of ya kid !
hoep it helps
-nero

[TNDan21]

I think it's a good idea for your teenager to have a cell phone to stay in contact with them and etc... but you really need to judge if your kid can handle having one or not. Obsiously if your teen isn't very reponsible I wouldn't give them a cell phone that they can run up hundreds of dollars if not more. In that case you may want to get them prepaid service and let them either pay for it themselves or give them a small monthly budget of prepaid airtime so they can learn how to handle money and be more responsable.

[waycath]

My son was the first in our family to get a cell phone. He has always paid for his own service, and he now has his own account with T-Mobile. He is 20 now, but when he was 17, it was sure was nice to be able to call him when he was out later than I thought he would be out.

If a teen can be as responsible with a cell phone as my son as been, then there should be no problem.

[Airb330]

I am 17, and I pay for it myself. Got freeup from Verizon, no parents etc. I know they wouldn't pay for it. It is nice to keep in touch when upstate/etc. I also use it alot for my friends too, so I really don't expect them to pay for it either. I cannot wait until my friends have to pay for their bill, I bet they will shut up quickly. It is funny, everybody I know that pays for their own cell phone owns Verizon, and everyone who's parents pay have Cingular. I never thought of that but its true.

[abcheng]

I suppose it really depends on if you REALLY need a cell phone or not. I live in Alpharetta and in High School and some people just happens to need one but some don't. The problem though, is that the school does not allow cell phones at school since it's a state law to not allow phone's at school. I'm sure most teenagers can keep the cell phone, it's probably getting in trouble for it, or being disruptive with the cell phone such as being disrespectful to people and making much noise. I recently have wanted to get a cell since I go here and there and I need a phone to make a phone call because something comes up when I'm there or my parents need to contact me. So to answer your question, yes it is good to have a cell phone, but if you abuse the privilege of having one then no.

[RBOCMAN]

Me thinks this a question best directed to the like of Dr.Phil or Laura the Unloved

[rebguy1]

I think cell phones are good in the sense that they allow teens to have a way to get in touch with their parents or police if they need to, but I do think some teens abuse it. But then again, teens always try to push the limits, it's part of being a teenager! I think it is better for the teen if they have to get the phone and pay for the service themselves, that way they learn to use it responsibly. IMO, if I were a parent paying for a teenagers cell phone, I would only allow it to be used to call home or for emergencies; and I would tell them never to use it while driving, experienced drivers using cell phones cause enough trouble. I'd probably tell them not to use it while driving whether they were paying for it or not, but otherwise, if they pay for the service, I don't see any problem with teenagers having them or using them any way they want to. As long as it's legal and doesn't hurt anyone, a teen with a job and his/her own money can spend it any way he/she wants to, IMO.

[LowTech]

Originally posted by: rebguy1
I think cell phones are good in the sense that they allow teens to have a way to get in touch with their parents or police if they need to, but I do think some teens abuse it. But then again, teens always try to push the limits, it's part of being a teenager! I think it is better for the teen if they have to get the phone and pay for the service themselves, that way they learn to use it responsibly. IMO, if I were a parent paying for a teenagers cell phone, I would only allow it to be used to call home or for emergencies; and I would tell them never to use it while driving, experienced drivers using cell phones cause enough trouble. I'd probably tell them not to use it while driving whether they were paying for it or not, but otherwise, if they pay for the service, I don't see any problem with teenagers having them or using them any way they want to. As long as it's legal and doesn't hurt anyone, a teen with a job and his/her own money can spend it any way he/she wants to, IMO.

using the phone while driving is no worse than changing radio stations constantly or changing the ac settings while driving (unless you're trying to send text messages). I hear of states trying to bad using cell phones while driving all the time. What about banning guys from eating a burger while driving or banning women from putting on make-up while driving...those are both much more dangerous.

[PhonePerson]

One factor that seems to be overlooked is that responsibility is not necessarily associated with age. I have seen several adults abuse cell phones, and not want to pay the consequences. Teens should have their own cell phones, at least for safety reasons. Also, if people have cell phones at a younger age, then hopefully they will learn to be more responisble later in life. Many middle aged people who purchase cell phones for the first time run up high bills. Finally, let teens make their own decisions and mistakes. They will learn a lot quicker than if someone tells them what they can and cannot do.

[Attnokiaman]

I just turned 15 yesterday and have had my phone since October of 2001 (I was 13). It's under my parents names but I've payed every bill every month since then. I initally tried to keep track of the minutes but that became impossible so I just try to limit how many calls I make a month and I never go over my 500 anytime minutes. My parents are fine with it and have no problem with me having one. In fact, they are glad I have it because that way they can call me if for example I went somewhere and forgot to tell them. We are not suppose to have the phones in school but I bring mine anyway after all these terror threats going around just in case of an emergency. I keep in on "Silent" mode and leave it on through the day.

-Justin

[LowTech]

Now I do think 13 is a bit young. I wouldnt get a child of mine a phone until they were 16.

[Attnokiaman]

They didn't get it for me. I bought it myself (Under their names and with their premission) and payed for everything relating to it, myself. They said I could get one as long I paid for it and never got behind on my bill.

[Frenchy]

Yes I think Teens and Kids should have there on cell phone! I thing the carriers in the united states should came up with a plan like they have in Europe !In France for about $20.00 you get a Kid plan that give you a phone and I thing 2 hours of talking time .after the Kid,Teen ,used his two hour the plan stop but since we don't pay for incoming calls the parents are still able to contact their kids on their phones .no surprise at the end of the months.

[LowTech]

Originally posted by: RobCruz
Should teens get their own cell phone? In the age when Columbine & 9/11 happened, parents without a doubt give their teens a cell phone so that they can keep in touch with each other or for emergency. On the other had, the critics argued that teens don't need cell phone because they will abuse it. Like talking on the cell phone while crossing down the street, gossiping to their friends, showing off the cell phone to their friends, and schools don't allow cell phone anyway? What do you think?

i know what you said and what you meant. I was simply saying that in my opinion that is too young regardless of who pays for the service.