I spy with my little cellphone

Fort Worth Star-Telegram ^ | 08/20/2006 | AMAN BATHEJA

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

You stated that no one needs a cell phone. Not only is it not your decision to make but it is silly. If someone I care about needs roadside assistance then the phone has served a purpose. If a child is injured at a ball park and one person calls for help, then it is justified.

And by the same token, if someone wants to talk all day on their cell phone then it is their own business.

[xsmommy]

let me guess, you have no kids.

[xsmommy]

you gotta love someone who decides who needs what, as well as what needs are legit, for EVERYONE. that really makes sense.

[Hegewisch Dupa]

I supposed to listen to Gollum's ring now?

[LexBaird]

What say the FR masses? What is a good age to consider a cell phone for the kiddies?

When he can pay for it himself.

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

Except in the case of a comb-over - No one needs a comb over.....

[ChadGore]

Prediction: His phone will be bluejacked to make calls to hongkong in study hall.

[Warren_Piece]

When he can pay for it himself.

Well, my kids earn money for doing chores, but discussing that would open up a whole new can of worms...

[dakine]

Good age? When they can pay for it themselves.

[toast]

I have a 12 yr old and a 10 yr old. We just bought an extra phone for them to share. They take it with them when they go somewhere, a friend's or the park. They still have to ask permission first.

The older one has type 1 diabetes. The phone was more to make sure he was doing glucose tests at the right time or could get a hold of us if there was a problem. We needed the phone because we were letting the 10 year old do more than the 12 year old.

[tiki]

We got our granddaughter one when she was 11, and yes, she has lost a phone, but so has her mom. She lucked out and got great-grandma's old phone and some strict instructions. She's very responsible for a kid and she still lost it. I don't care though, because it has come in handy quite a few times, not just for her but for her friends too. Kids miss busses and wires get crossed and she can always call.

[Scarchin]

I love capitalism!!!!

[VRWCmember]

let me guess, you have no kids.

That would be a good guess:
User Posts
this is my name not yours:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1686079/posts?page=97#97:

exactly why my wife and I decided not to have children. The world is sick and getting sicker. Hope is dead.

[Warren_Piece]

Good age? When they can pay for it themselves.

This is a common thread throughout the negative answers. But my assumption is that giving the child the cellphone is for the benefit of the parent!!!!. Why would the kid pay for it?

[xsmommy]

man alive, a veritable ray of sunshine. not only does no one need a cellphone, no one needs kids either. we are all DOOMED>

[myprecious]

I supposed to listen to Gollum's ring now?

Only those that bear the ring can hear the voice.

[xsmommy]

i think that answer is a silly one, actually [when they can pay for it themselves]. you have been given myriad real life examples of kids with cellphones who use them WHEN needed at the parents behest. i suggest, as i said, the tracphone where you control how much $ is on it. it's not just for the ARABS ; )

[dakine]

Benefit of the parent?

[WhyisaTexasgirlinPA]

The bottom line answer is your decision. When you feel it would be a benefit to your family, either for the safety of your child or just for your convenience or for ANY reason, then buy a phone.

Don't let anyone else tell you it is silly or not practical. As I've said before, if ONE TIME it is a comfort to you or your child, then it was worth the cost.

[VRWCmember]

We added our kids' phones to our plan for about $9.95 a month (and got the phone free). When the older one (the first one who got a phone) did something stupid like run up $40 in charges on text messages, excessive use of minutes, numerous information calls, then he had to pay for that overage out of the money he made mowing or at his part-time job.