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FallingStar January 30th, 2019 6:10pm

Should there be an age limit or something like that for when children get a phone of their own or should it be if they want one, then give them one? Please explain your answer in the comments.

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Comments: Add Comment

mnct Ohio, USA
01/30/19 9:58 pm

It's not my decision to make for any other family. Do what you will, and deal with whatever results.

snagglepuss Story Time
01/30/19 9:51 pm

It depends on the child and the parents.

lj74
01/30/19 7:25 pm

Depends on individual and family needs

AZlass Phoenix
01/30/19 3:23 pm

Not until they are at least responsible enough or to use it inappropriately (like while driving or in class) and not to be constantly losing it.

Wert I am a frayed knot
01/30/19 11:48 am

Bad question. Neither. It should be up to the parents to decide when the kid is responsible enough or a specific need requires it.

Reply
FallingStar Oregon
01/30/19 11:51 am

I’m not talking about anything to with government regulations or restrictions or anything like that. This should definitely be between parents and children. I’m just after people’s opinions and reasons for those opinions.

Think Lovin Life
01/30/19 1:03 pm

Wert ... I agree that the question is poorly worded, but it only implies government meddling to those leftists who wrongly believe that government is the solution to ANY problem rather than government exacerbating the problem.

MANY limits should be placed on the use of phones by minors and all of those limits are and should be the discretion of the child’s parents.

Robert01 existentialist
01/30/19 11:28 am

Wow so many people against individual liberties.

Completely up to the parents. That's the way it is now and that's the way it should stay.

Reply
Think Lovin Life
01/30/19 1:04 pm

Rob ... please point to where this question suggested government meddling!

Robert01 existentialist
01/30/19 1:09 pm

"Should there be a limit"
It's definitely an assumption on my part for the government is the only party who can impose limitations.

GrandmaALiCE
01/30/19 9:24 pm

Parents can’t impose limitations?

GrandmaALiCE
01/30/19 9:27 pm

I read this totally as a limitation imposed by parents!

Kay41 the Midwest
01/30/19 11:24 am

I don't think there is anything to give kids just because they want one. My kids got cell phones when they got into high school because that's when I thought it was appropriate and useful to me as a parent.

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FallingStar Oregon
01/30/19 11:15 am

My children are not getting a phone of their own until they leave home or turn 18, whichever comes first. The only exception to that would be if they work somewhere where they need one for safety or to let us know when they need a ride.

Reply
Kay41 the Midwest
01/30/19 11:26 am

How old are your kids? I have a feeling you might change your mind when they start driving.

FallingStar Oregon
01/30/19 11:30 am

They are three, two, and seven months. If it comes down to them needing one then they’ll get one. But other than that they can borrow mine or my husband’s.

Kay41 the Midwest
01/30/19 11:33 am

I honestly think you'll change your mind on this when they become teens.

FallingStar Oregon
01/30/19 11:36 am

I’m not trying to be argumentative, I’m just curious.

Kay41 the Midwest
01/30/19 11:43 am

Because I think you'll find out that your teens having a cell phone (although not a necessity as we all grew up without one) is very convenient for a parent. It's also an important tool in a teen's social life nowadays. Can they get by without one? Sure. But, it's such an integral part of being a teen and such a help as a parent, that you'll find yourself buying them one. I think the important thing is not too just automatically deny them one, but rather to know when they are mature enough for it and to monitor it's use. For example, until my children turned 18 they had to keep their cell phones charged and plugged in downstairs after bedtime.

Kay41 the Midwest
01/30/19 11:46 am

Meaning not in their bedroom, but in a common area in the house

FallingStar Oregon
01/30/19 11:48 am

They’ll be able to use one. If they want to text or call someone they can use my phone or my husband’s. But I know from my own experience that there are ways around rules. If I had had to leave my phone plugged in in another room after a certain time then I would have found a way to sneak around and use it. So I’m not even going to give my children that option. They will have to get permission to use our phones and then for only an allotted amount of time.

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Kay41 the Midwest
01/30/19 11:53 am

Good luck with that! But, I honestly think you'll change your mind as your kids get to the teen years. I found that there were so many more advantages to it than disadvantages. I'm not trying to be rude or sound "better than thou", but I think your view as a parent of toddlers is very different from what it will be as they get older. You are looking through a lense that will change as they grow up. I still saw that happening to me as my sons transitioned into adults with their own lives and careers.

FallingStar Oregon
01/30/19 11:57 am

Maybe so, but I kinda doubt it. My husband was raised without a phone of his own and I didn’t have one until my parents got a dog and the walks were 1-2 hours long on mountain roads and we lived in Japan so Mom wanted us to be able to call them if something happened. And then my sister and I shared one until she got a job. It worked fine.


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bobwpb
01/30/19 11:13 am

Whenever they are ready and can handle one.

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EarlyBird Portland
01/30/19 11:45 am

Yes, I agree.

Think Lovin Life
01/30/19 1:07 pm

... as determined by their parents with no meddling from the government.

TierasPet
01/31/19 5:20 am

I agree with this great group.