Cell Phones for Childern

Updated on April 16, 2009
M.M. asks from Fort Lauderdale, FL
19 answers

Being a single mom moving to the area, I will feel alot better if my daughter had a cell phone with her at all times. Has anyone purchased a phone for their kids? Comments,suggestions, concerns. Thank you

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So What Happened?

Thank you all for your responses(both positive & negative). I should have told everyone that I wanted a phone in which she could only call me or 911. We are moving to an area with no friends or relatives and have very little time to get comfortably acquainted with our surroundings and people. I realize I should trust people but...Thankyou all again for your quick answers.

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T.O.

answers from Jacksonville on

Have you looked into the cell phones that only have 4 buttons on it. My cousin got one for her 5 yr daughter and she understood it was for emergencys plus had kid tracker.

If it makes you feel more at ease then do it. There are too many kids gone missing and you have enough to worry about.

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V.M.

answers from Miami on

Metro Pcs is the best for a kid. They can talk as much
as they want and you pay one fee. Its great.

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S.M.

answers from Miami on

Hi, M.. Well, that depends on the child. How old is your daughter? Can she be trusted to take care of the phone and not leave it somewhere when she gets tired of holding it? I suggest getting a pre-paid plan like Metro PCS or one of those pay-as-you-go phones that you can get at Walmart and refill the card. Otherwise, young children and teens often cannot be trusted to not run up the cell phone bill on excessive talking and massive texting.

Peace,
Syl

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C.S.

answers from Miami on

Cell phones for children are dangerous - read up on the medical studies done by the European Union. Also, at 5, your daughter should always be supervised. Either she is with you, a babysitter, daycare or school. Schools will not allow a cell phone. Most daycares won't either, plus they have phones there in case of a true emergency. You need a cell phone number that you can give to your daughter's school, daycare or other sitter.

Save your money and put it into a college fund or other savings for your daughter.

C.

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J.S.

answers from Miami on

First of all, where is your 5 year old going without you? School? A playdate? That's it!!! Is your child going to be hanging out at the mall alone? Playing in the park across the street by herself or with other 5 year olds???
I mean really - there is no reason for you to ever leave your 5 yr old child alone in a place or situation that may require her to use a cell phone!!
Period. The end.
Just make sure she knows your number by heart, as well as your best friend and/or a relative.

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J.S.

answers from Miami on

Are you saying your daughter is 5 years old? I'd encourage you to get past your own insecurity rather than giving your child a phone that she will likely treat as a toy and which gives off radiation when placed near the head that can contribute to neurological problems and tumors. People have lived on this planet for eons without cell phones and weren't fearful for their kids... our current society is plagued by fear and victimhood, it's about time we learn to be more relaxed about life.

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T.B.

answers from Jacksonville on

I think 5 is a little young. When would she not be with you or in te care of a teacher/sitter? But if it gives you peace of mind do it. I think you can get a pjone/plan that the child can only call like 3-5 numbers you have stored in it. Also 911

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S.W.

answers from Miami on

cell phones are a life-saver these days. As long as she can keep it attached to her person (not in the purse or back pack or loose in a pant or jacket pocket)like on a neck or key-chain...kids seem to lose things, drop things, forget where they left things...and forget to re-charge so you can/they can call...Best of luck to you.
Let me know if you need a broker referral when you are ready to move, ok?
Blessings, S.

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F.R.

answers from Pensacola on

I think the company name is firefly, but there's a phone available with only like 3 big buttons. You program in the numbers that she will be able to call. Like your work, home and cell phone. I believe there is an emergency button on there as well. There are companies that offer the gps with their phones so you can look and see where she is from your computer. Although it is a monthly fee and can be expensive. Disney has a phone like that too.
If it's for your peace of mind, do it. It's not a situation that many other people are in, so just go with what feels right to you.

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S.S.

answers from Daytona Beach on

your daughter is 5? i think that might be a little young for a cell phone, however if you go to Toys'r'us then they sell a type of cell phone that the parent programs i think up to about 5 numbers and that is the only numbers that the phone can dial. they are a little expensive but it's primarily for children who are a little younger and don't need a cell phone at all times and also limits "mistakes' made in dialing.

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S.S.

answers from Miami on

M.,

I think that 5 is a bit young for cell phone. But this is something that you may want to make a judgement call on.

Good luck.

S.

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S.T.

answers from Orlando on

Hi M., my husband & I had to really think about the same thing with our kids. We moved to the area about 9 months ago. But it looks like you have a 5 yr old. My daughter is 10 & my son is almost 8. We got my daughter a phone for Christmas but haven't got my son one yet. My son, I think, could handle it but my husband & I aren't ready to get him one yet. My daughter is very responsible with her phone & we are glad we got it for her. But with your daughter being 5 I think you are the only one that will know if she is responsible enough to keep it & know what to do with it. If she is a very mature 5 year old, maybe, but I think thta at 5 their was no way either of my kids understood a phone enough to know what kind of responsibility it is. That is just my opinion. Good luck with your decision making.

L.W.

answers from Pensacola on

I use to be completely against cell phones for children, but broke down and got my oldest son one when he turned 13. It's a trac phone and he has to earn his minutes. The phone cost about $20 and they also have some for about $10. It's for his convenience, but it also gives me peace of mind to know I can contact him when necessary and he me.

My eleven year old wants one now, but he'll have to wait another couple of years. I think the circumstances of your family will show the necessity of your child having a phone.

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K.G.

answers from Miami on

I think 5 is a bit young....we didn't let our kids get phones until my daughter was 13...my son was younger, maybe 11, but he was still irresponsible and to this day often forgets to bring his phone with him!! (he is 14 now) I think it depends on the maturity of the child, but 5 seems young to me.

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T.B.

answers from Miami on

I have no intentions of buying any of my 3 children a cell phone. I can't imagine my child being anywhere a supervising adult wouldn't have a cell phone. You say your daughter is 5? I can see if she is 15 or 16 and dating, then I would give her a cell phone to use for "just in case." I'm just curious where she is without you at the tender age of 5 that she would require a cell phone at all times.

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I.R.

answers from Miami on

I bought my daughter a phone when she turned 8, she started taking the bus to school and I felt more comfortable just in case anything happens then she can call me. I got her the firefly phone you can get it on the internet it is just for kids it has two buttons, one for mom and one for dad and then on the side of the phone has a button for 911. She can't make any phone calls unless you unlock the phone for her to the rest of the numbers that you can program into the phone. I am glad I got my daughter the phone because there were some times that she did need to use it.

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J.G.

answers from Orlando on

I'm sorry, but I think a cell phone for a 5 year old is ridiculous. Where will she be that she needs a phone?

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R.S.

answers from Miami on

hi,
I would like to suggest that you program her phone so that only numbers known to you are allowed to contact her. Also, due to possible/unknown medical side effects, I would explain to her that the phone use is limited, and usually for emergencies only.
Best of luck to you both as you move into beautiful/hot/humid/sunny south florida :)

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L.M.

answers from Miami on

M.

Hopefully at the age of 5 your daughter will be under adult supervision at all times. At her age I don't imagine she will be in a situation where she is alone. I gave each of my children a cell phone when they turned 12. This date happened to coincide within a month for both of them of the start of middle school. It is inly my opinion, but I do think they need a phone by the time they reach middle school. I have some friends who have done it sooner and some who wait until they are 13. Best of luck to you.

L.

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