Kids ugh!

[Tarheel'Z']

When should I get my daughter her first cell phone? She is 11, I told her when she was a teen but alot of her friends are getting them now. She has ipod4 touch, and a nexus 7 tablet now. Does she really need a phone now? I mean the iPod on wifi is basically an iPhone now.

[MeanTA]

When should I get my daughter her first cell phone? She is 11, I told her when she was a teen but alot of her friends are getting them now. She has ipod4 touch, and a nexus 7 tablet now. Does she really need a phone now? I mean the iPod on wifi is basically an iPhone now.

when she can pay the bill herself. lol

But seriously its a different world from when most of us were young. And all kids have gadgets. I got some younger family members. that have phones and they post all day on Facebook. while they are at school.

[gojo83]

i know i am going to be an unpopular dad but i would get my kid a prepaid flip phone that wau u r giving her just enough rope to hang herself so to speak... or teaching her responsibility and moderation. i never had a phone till i was 18. i would tell her if she doesnt like it get a job and buy her own thats what i was told as a kid and i hated them at the time but now i understand the reasoning.

[DMBlack]

Our 12 year old son has a basic phone. He can call and text only and it was the cheapest one we could add to our plan. It was more so we could get ahold of him when he out with friends or an emergency comes up. Other than that if they want a smartphone and data packages they are on their own.

[Chris]

My little sister is 13 and has the iPod she talks ans facetimes on. Otherwise she has a prepaid flip phone

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[NuckinFutz93]

I got both of my nieces( 10&12) straight talk phones, That way they can't run up a crazy bill or anything. I think it is the best option for kids.

[GreenZ96]

Get her one of those phones that you can only program in just a few numbers. There no honest need for kids this young to have their own iPhone, or android phones.

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[Tarheel'Z']

Yeah I run my iPhone 4S through straight talk, hard to beat 45$ a month unlimited data etc. I think I'm gonna make her wait at least another year. Idk she can be pretty convincing sometimes haha

[pickardracing]

My daughter is 11 as well. I told myself she wouldn't have one for quite a while.

Problem is, she's at the age now where she goes by her friend's houses and it's pretty imperative that she has one. Not to mention a lot of kids at her school have them.

Consider it a tool to keep her safe, and to stay connected to you when she's away. Unfortunately it's also somewhat of a status symbol... You surely remember what it's like to maybe not have the things that the 'cool kids' have, it doesn't pay to put them through that because we as parents want to 'make a point'.

Teach her responsibility, get her a cheap prepaid until she demonstrates that she can take care of it and manage the usage correctly. After that, whatever you think is right. Again, consider it a tool and use the technology for safety and preparing her for real life situations.

[zmm95]

Id say wait to get her a true smartphone untill highschool.. jr high for a regular phone.

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[Tarheel'Z']

My daughter is 11 as well. I told myself she wouldn't have one for quite a while.

Problem is, she's at the age now where she goes by her friend's houses and it's pretty imperative that she has one. Not to mention a lot of kids at her school have them.

Consider it a tool to keep her safe, and to stay connected to you when she's away. Unfortunately it's also somewhat of a status symbol... You surely remember what it's like to maybe not have the things that the 'cool kids' have, it doesn't pay to put them through that because we as parents want to 'make a point'.

Teach her responsibility, get her a cheap prepaid until she demonstrates that she can take care of it and manage the usage correctly. After that, whatever you think is right. Again, consider it a tool and use the technology for safety and preparing her for real life situations.

I agree with you almost 100%, however being the kid that never had the new cool stuff I'd say as much as it sucked then it sure benefitted me later in life when it really mattered. with that being said I do think it is worth making the point. Besides she's not going anywhere much yet without me or mom anyway. I just don't want her to get the message that whatever her friends are doing/getting she is entitled to the same just for sake of keeping up. Besides I do pick her up from school in the Z sometimes, shouldn't that be cool enough? Lmao

[Blackbird96WS6]

I agree with you almost 100%, however being the kid that never had the new cool stuff I'd say as much as it sucked then it sure benefitted me later in life when it really mattered. with that being said I do think it is worth making the point. Besides she's not going anywhere much yet without me or mom anyway. I just don't want her to get the message that whatever her friends are doing/getting she is entitled to the same just for sake of keeping up. Besides I do pick her up from school in the Z sometimes, shouldn't that be cool enough? Lmao

Personally I agree with you there. I didn't get new cool shit just cuz my friends did, my parents gave me what was necessary and anything extra was saved for birthdays/Christmas and if they could afford it. I did just fine not having a phone until I was 16, then I didn't even get a smart phone until I paid for it myself when I was 21. And you know who treats their phone better than every one of his friends who got them handed to them? This guy right here :D Stick to how you want to do it, it will teach her to value what she has and not expect to get things that are not a necessity just because she asks or because other people have them.

[CamaroZGuy]

hell, i got my first cell when i was 16, and i paid for it, contract was in my name.

but with how time has changed, i would agree on a kid having a prepaid basic phone. if they want some thing fancy then they can pay for it. that's how i was raised, hated my parents back then but now i thank them because i actually have an understanding of a dollar and i know how to budget my money.

[30thSSclone]

My brother had to wait till he was 16, my sister had to wait till she was 15, then i got one at 14, but it was a basic phone

[Badbird_96]

My first phone I was 16 and it was a hand me down tracfone with the green screen lol. I got a better phone later. I got my own plan at 20 with me and the wife.

[Fastbird]

I got both of my nieces( 10&12) straight talk phones, That way they can't run up a crazy bill or anything. I think it is the best option for kids.


THis. Pre-paid is the smartest move you could make.

[Tarheel'Z']

Personally I agree with you there. I didn't get new cool shit just cuz my friends did, my parents gave me what was necessary and anything extra was saved for birthdays/Christmas and if they could afford it. I did just fine not having a phone until I was 16, then I didn't even get a smart phone until I paid for it myself when I was 21. And you know who treats their phone better than every one of his friends who got them handed to them? This guy right here :D Stick to how you want to do it, it will teach her to value what she has and not expect to get things that are not a necessity just because she asks or because other people have them.

What you talking bout!! Haha my phone looks brand new and it's over a year old, I've got like 10 layers of protection on it haha. Prob why I wash all of my vehicles at least once a week whether they need it or not. I've gotta say I'm just getting lucky or doing something right, they really are so far from materialistic, but at the same time there's that part of me that wants them to have all the cool stuff that I didn't, it's a double edged sword sometimes.

[NuckinFutz93]

What you talking bout!! Haha my phone looks brand new and it's over a year old, I've got like 10 layers of protection on it haha. Prob why I wash all of my vehicles at least once a week whether they need it or not. I've gotta say I'm just getting lucky or doing something right, they really are so far from materialistic, but at the same time there's that part of me that wants them to have all the cool stuff that I didn't, it's a double edged sword sometimes.

I like the fact that I know where my Nieces are. They are good kids, but its the rest of the world I don't trust.

[Tarheel'Z']

I like the fact that I know where my Nieces are. They are good kids, but its the rest of the world I don't trust.

Man how true! Sad, but true. You make a good point! Lol

[pickardracing]

My kid has a basic prepaid until she can prove that she's responsible. By the time that happens, she'll be old enough to make money doing babysitting and other crap that she can buy or put her portion towards something better down the road. Side note: She hardly uses it right now, but the few times she needed to use it, it's worth the 20-30 bucks a month.

As far as the social aspect of it, I guess it depends on your opinion. I didn't have shit growing up. I mean NOTHING. I never had any of the trendy, cool shit that the popular kids had, and I got plenty of shit for being one of the 'poor kids'... I made myself a promise that my kids wouldn't have it that way. I bust my ass to give them the opportunity to wear nice clothes and have nice things. That said, I don't give them the world on a silver platter. They are taught the value of work and a dollar, but they have enough to keep them happy. We all know what assholes other kids can be, so if it costs me a little more to keep them 'out of the woods', then that's what's going to happen.

[pickardracing]

I like the fact that I know where my Nieces are. They are good kids, but its the rest of the world I don't trust.

This is another major reason mine has one. My 9 year old son doesn't have one, but he doesn't go anywhere quite yet and if he does, it's with his sister. Lots of creeps in this world. I'd feel like a mighty big POS if something happened to my kid and she didn't have access to help due to me being a hard-ass or a cheap-ass.

[Tarheel'Z']

My kid has a basic prepaid until she can prove that she's responsible. By the time that happens, she'll be old enough to make money doing babysitting and other crap that she can buy or put her portion towards something better down the road. Side note: She hardly uses it right now, but the few times she needed to use it, it's worth the 20-30 bucks a month.

As far as the social aspect of it, I guess it depends on your opinion. I didn't have shit growing up. I mean NOTHING. I never had any of the trendy, cool shit that the popular kids had, and I got plenty of shit for being one of the 'poor kids'... I made myself a promise that my kids wouldn't have it that way. I bust my ass to give them the opportunity to wear nice clothes and have nice things. That said, I don't give them the world on a silver platter. They are taught the value of work and a dollar, but they have enough to keep them happy. We all know what assholes other kids can be, so if it costs me a little more to keep them 'out of the woods', then that's what's going to happen.

I'm with ya there when you explain it like that, I've lived on my own since I was 14 so yeah I certainly can relate but that's a whole other Maury episode lol
That's the other side of the sword. I try to balance it I'm sure as you do.

[Featherburner]

My daughter, who is 10, asked me, "daddy, how old were you when you got your first cell phone"? I thought for a minute and answered, 27! Talk about taking the wind out of her sail! Then I explained that cell phones were a recent invention and didn't exist when I was a kid. LOL! We have an old flip phone that she gets to use when she goes to a slumber party or to a friends house for a play date. We call it her sometimes phone. She is pushing for a smart phone because her best friend just got one for Christmas. I think we will hold off for a few more years.

[Tarheel'Z']

My daughter, who is 10, asked me, "daddy, how old were you when you got your first cell phone"? I thought for a minute and answered, 27! Talk about taking the wind out of her sail! Then I explained that cell phones were a recent invention and didn't exist when I was a kid. LOL! We have an old flip phone that she gets to use when she goes to a slumber party or to a friends house for a play date. We call it her sometimes phone. She is pushing for a smart phone because her best friend just got one for Christmas. I think we will hold off for a few more years.

Lol too funny! I had to explain to them that my first one came in a nice carry bag lol and a cool squiggly cord for the hand set lmao Zach Morris eat your heart out!!

[pickardracing]

Exactly. I found a balance that works for me, my kids, and what other parents are doing.

And I'm with Featherburner as well, I didn't have a cell until I was 20, and it was one of those old brick Nokias. Coolest SOB on the block.

[NuckinFutz93]

Lol too funny! I had to explain to them that my first one came in a nice carry bag lol and a cool squiggly cord for the hand set lmao Zach Morris eat your heart out!!


I should drive my GTA up, it's still got the cell mounted in it. LOL. I have thought about seeing if I could get it working. LOL

[pickardracing]

I remember wanting the Motorola StarTAC SO. DAMN. BAD. and couldn't afford it... hahaha.

[Tarheel'Z']

I should drive my GTA up, it's still got the cell mounted in it. LOL. I have thought about seeing if I could get it working. LOL

Doesn't count if you don't have the antenna mounted somewhere, preferably back glass haha

[Tarheel'Z']

I remember wanting the Motorola StarTAC SO. DAMN. BAD. and couldn't afford it... hahaha.

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/02/08/uzygy7u2.jpg
Ahead of its time lmao

[NuckinFutz93]

Doesn't count if you don't have the antenna mounted somewhere, preferably back glass haha


Yep! It's still in the middle top of the back glass. LOL.

[GreenZ96]

There's a cool app called lookout where you can track the phone from a pc or other device, you can also send alerts, and lock the phone.

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[popo8]

Doesn't count if you don't have the antenna mounted somewhere, preferably back glass haha

I had the two dollar pep boys fake antenna on my hatch...

Leaned back like i was goi. Fast!


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

[Tarheel'Z']

I had the two dollar pep boys fake antenna on my hatch...

Leaned back like i was goi. Fast!


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com

Why is that so easy to picture lol

[popo8]

Why is that so easy to picture lol

I was a tool... I know. Lol


Larry (Popo8) Co-owner
LTXtech.com