Who Buys Their Kid A Smart Phone?

[Jllaugh]

That's what I'm talking about. My wife and I don't have a ton of money while I'm working and finishing my Bachelor's degree, so it feels damn good to get something after working hard and saving for it. We have nice stuff and don't use credit. I prefer the working hard and appreciating it approach over getting things handed to us any day.

 

[Accomodator]

Fuglly get off your high horse, you didn't have these things from your parents so other kids should not either ?

 

[gocflamedragon]

Ill say that i don't really agree that kids should have these smartphones and by kids im talking under 16. Most of them really aren't tech savy enough to even understand how the phone works and their mostly just going to mess it up if they need a web enabled phone get them a multimedia phone like a dare or a env touch or some other alternative. Now on the otheir hand i might only be 17 but i belive i could have handeld this phone properly as early as 15 because im a techy and spend much of my time on the computer. I run an irc network of about 50+ active users at a time and am always keeping an eye on my dedicated box and my friends as well so i need a phone like this so if a problem arises i can fix it no mater where i am.

 

[HermitObserver]

I'm 13 and you guys are making me feel like a minority. Yes I have a droid, yeah, I could probably go without it, but it's a cool phone and I'm glad my mom got me one

 

[hookbill]

I see it all the time in here, and for you kids that see this please don't take offense. What parent, in their right mind buys their kid a smart phone? I don't care it it's Windows Mobile, Blackberry Storm, or Droid. It just doesn't make sense.

I'm not saying don't get your kids nice things. Spoil the hell out of the little rug rats if you want, that's your business. But man, do you not realize that giving a kid a smart phone is giving them almost total unlimited access to the internet. Unsupervised?

I'm not a parent. Never had an interest in kids, and I'm not saying I would do a better job if I did have a child. But I know there is just no way I would give my kid a Droid. A play station, yes. But a phone? they'd get the cheapest phone I could find. With clear instructions that there would be no texting during school hours.

Yet I see kids as young as 13 years old with Droids. Heck even if they got the money to buy their own Droid I still wouldn't let them have one. Confiscated until they are 18 (by then they wouldn't want the Droid):icon_ devil:

I have heard from some kids who say that they have proven to their parents that they are responsible enough and have got their parents trust. I wouldn't do it, just too much stuff out there for them to get in trouble with.

That's my opinion. I'd be happy to hear yours if you agree with me or disagree with me.

No offense or anything but if you don't trust your kids to follow your rules then its your fault that you haven't disciplined them enough.

No offense taken, I don't have kids. Did you not read the part in my post where it said "I am not a parent?"

 

[PJay801]

I'll be a minority here. I'm 35 and bought my 12 yro a smart phone. Best decision I ever made. I use the Verizon Family Locator. I get text messages wherever my son is at. He's always where he needs to be, or there will be problems. I use the wireless content filters to make sure he doesn't access anything he's not supposed to. I can't be everywhere and neither can my wife. He goes to chess club, drama club, science club...and the Family Locator gives me peace of mind to know he OK. Add on GPS and I'll always be there...when I'm not. Of course it's not perfect. But it allows my son his independence, and my Wife and I can still be Parents. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Fuglly]

I'll be a minority here. I'm 35 and bought my 12 yro a smart phone. Best decision I ever made. I use the Verizon Family Locator. I get text messages wherever my son is at. He's always where he needs to be, or there will be problems. I use the wireless content filters to make sure he doesn't access anything he's not supposed to. I can't be everywhere and neither can my wife. He goes to chess club, drama club, science club...and the Family Locator gives me peace of mind to know he OK. Add on GPS and I'll always be there...when I'm not. Of course it's not perfect. But it allows my son his independence, and my Wife and I can still be Parents. Just my 2 cents.

i think thats a happy medium. my 2 cents agree with yours. That is not spoiling. That is responsibility. + parent rep

 

[Backnblack]

I'll be a minority here. I'm 35 and bought my 12 yro a smart phone. Best decision I ever made. I use the Verizon Family Locator. I get text messages wherever my son is at. He's always where he needs to be, or there will be problems. I use the wireless content filters to make sure he doesn't access anything he's not supposed to. I can't be everywhere and neither can my wife. He goes to chess club, drama club, science club...and the Family Locator gives me peace of mind to know he OK. Add on GPS and I'll always be there...when I'm not. Of course it's not perfect. But it allows my son his independence, and my Wife and I can still be Parents. Just my 2 cents.

i think thats a happy medium. my 2 cents agree with yours. That is not spoiling. That is responsibility. + parent rep

Same reason the cars I provide my kids are GPS tracked.....

 

[Fuglly]

I'll be a minority here. I'm 35 and bought my 12 yro a smart phone. Best decision I ever made. I use the Verizon Family Locator. I get text messages wherever my son is at. He's always where he needs to be, or there will be problems. I use the wireless content filters to make sure he doesn't access anything he's not supposed to. I can't be everywhere and neither can my wife. He goes to chess club, drama club, science club...and the Family Locator gives me peace of mind to know he OK. Add on GPS and I'll always be there...when I'm not. Of course it's not perfect. But it allows my son his independence, and my Wife and I can still be Parents. Just my 2 cents.

i think thats a happy medium. my 2 cents agree with yours. That is not spoiling. That is responsibility. + parent rep

Same reason the cars I provide my kids are GPS tracked.....

verrry nice. What product do you use for that? I know escort (company that made my radar detector/jammers) makes products for that... I almost feel bad for my kids when i have them, if they do something i will know about it thanks to technology ha

 

[Backnblack]

i think thats a happy medium. my 2 cents agree with yours. That is not spoiling. That is responsibility. + parent rep

Same reason the cars I provide my kids are GPS tracked.....

verrry nice. What product do you use for that? I know escort (company that made my radar detector/jammers) makes products for that... I almost feel bad for my kids when i have them, if they do something i will know about it thanks to technology ha

GPS Teen Tracking Device - Product Information and Statistics for Teenage Drivers

 

[Fuglly]

Same reason the cars I provide my kids are GPS tracked.....

verrry nice. What product do you use for that? I know escort (company that made my radar detector/jammers) makes products for that... I almost feel bad for my kids when i have them, if they do something i will know about it thanks to technology ha

GPS Teen Tracking Device - Product Information and Statistics for Teenage Drivers

very nice! wouldn't hurt to just toss a cell phone jammer in there also >,< but then again if you need to get a hold of him that might not work out so nicely if he is driving or around the car...

 

[hookbill]

But why is a smart phone required to use a GPS tracker. Doesn't verizon offer that with their other phones?

 

[Fuglly]

But why is a smart phone required to use a GPS tracker. Doesn't verizon offer that with their other phones?

true.. but smart phones are also much easier to block services with, rather then.. say my last phone the Alias (pos)...

 

[Hugh Jass]

Fuglly get off your high horse, you didn't have these things from your parents so other kids should not either ?

I don't think it's about not having things from your parents, It's about earning what you want on any level. Too many rich family kids don't even know what this means, they are just given on demand without responsibility. I think that's where Fuglly was going with it.

 

[Fuglly]

Fuglly get off your high horse, you didn't have these things from your parents so other kids should not either ?

I don't think it's about not having things from your parents, It's about earning what you want on any level. Too many rich family kids don't even know what this means, they are just given on demand without responsibility. I think that's where Fuglly was going with it.

yes sir. My parents have given me ALOT. But the fact that i realize what it costs me to get myself items like that it helps me appreciate it more when they do it on my behalf. And I'm thankful for the way my parents raised me, and I'm glad I wasn't spoiled upon even though I definitely could have been.