Comments on: Crowdsource Christmas: The Plea From The 10 Year Old

By: Justin McHood

Justin McHood — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 19:36:36 +0000

Update:

Did she get one for Christmas?

Nope.

What a mean Dad I am!

I decided to wait until her birthday.

On January 4th.

The one reason that pushed me over the edge?

So I can have something that she loves as the object of negotiation for when she feels like “being naughty”.

Text and voice only, no web and unlimited of both. Amazing how cheap it is to add another phone to my already-unlimited plan.

After the initial addiction period, the over under as to the first time I take it away?

3 weeks.

Thanks for all the comments!

By: Samantha

Samantha — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 18:05:03 +0000

Did you get her one?

By: Samantha

Samantha — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 17:24:14 +0000

If she can write a letter and get up to type it, she can handle a cell phone. With Christmas being only a few days away, I think you need to get with it to go buy her the cell phone. Just my opinion.

By: CWaterhouse

CWaterhouse — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:02:49 +0000

OK – I’ll admit my kids all have cell phones and have had them for a few years. While maturity and responsibility do play a role in the decision – keep in mind that promises do get broken and phones do get lost. We’ve replaced a couple of lost cell phones and upgraded phones on birthdays. Do I regret giving them their phones? Not yet. Today is not yesterday and times are ever changing. I hear more from my high schooler (via texting) during the day then I imagined. He let’s me know when he gets an “A” on a paper or when he’s running late. I love it & it gives me the opportunity to celebrate those moments and help out when I can. The kids know that with “great power comes great responsibility” and so far, they have yet to give us cause to take them away.

Merry Christmas to your daughter. I know you’ll get her a phone

By: Yvonne Arnold

Yvonne Arnold — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 01:00:16 +0000

NO!
Doesn’t matter how mature or how good the argument is made…she’s a 10 year old!
What if she comes back next year and writes a compelling argument for getting a tattoo? She knows you caved once she’ll beat you again!
Be strong! Stay the adult! Parents should’nt be childs best friend until they are old enough to have their own.

By: Shar Rundio

Shar Rundio — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:50:14 +0000

hmmm….sounds like conversations we were having last year.

I’ve probably told you our story…we got rid of the home phone, who uses it? Saved $12/mo. until the very day after the phone was disconnected and we realized that our girls (then 8 & 10) couldn’t call if we ran to the store or somewhere and left them at home for a brief period. They got a joint cell phone the next day. We added a line to our T-mobile plan for $10/mo. We’re still ahead by $2 and they can take it anywhere. At 9 & 11 now they’ve had it for a year and taken really good care of it, don’t abuse it (except for the time that the 8-yr old texted everyone she knew at 2am last year…I digress), and we have some added security when they are playing outside or at a friends.

Just my $.02.

By: Tyler Hurst

Tyler Hurst — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:47:02 +0000

Why would they need one? Being able to talk nonstop with their friends doesn’t seem like an actual reason.

By: Robert

Robert — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:44:03 +0000

My answer is no. Here is how I would handle it:

Buy a cell phone for your kids. When an occasion arises where a cell phone adds convenience (dance/gymnastics) give the child involved the phone. When an occasion arises where a cell phone adds safety (out with friends, driving far distances) give the child involved the phone. Basically, if having a phone confers a direct benefit, that child gets the phone.

Of course this presents a problem when more than one child “needs” the phone at the same time. If the point is to contact you for some reason, ask them if they have friends who would let them borrow their phone (they probably do whether they admit it or not). If so, they don’t “need” the phone. If both have legitimate reasons for needing the phone you’ll have to revert to the old-fashioned method of regular phones.

The basic idea is to have a cell phone for situations that make sense (dance/gymnastics) but avoiding the problems (too much texting, calls at all hours, inappropriate pictures). By having a phone that may be with different people (sibling, parent, etc.) you discourage inappropriate usage while still keeping the convenience.

Just my two cents.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:22:19 +0000

I vote no. Although your daughter makes a pretty articulate arguement for a 10 yr old, she can just borrow yours when she needs it right? Why give her the added distraction, and incur unneeded extra cost? If the crowdsource vote is yes you may want to consider parental controls and limited texts and airtime to avoid costs that no 10yr old will be able to recoup vacuuming.

By: Jose Gonzalez

Jose Gonzalez — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 00:08:05 +0000

I’d lean toward yes.

She’s displaying a maturity that I think is pretty unique for someone that young.

I think, though, you might consider some kind of pre-paid plan to ensure that she doesn’t go over her minutes and texts. Also, I think it’s wise to make it clear that you will have the right to take a random gander at her phone once in a while.

If she gets to have access to a computer and to the internet (under your supervision & guidance, of course), she most likely can handle a cell phone responsibly.