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Is 9 1/2 too young for a phone for basic calls and texts?

3,620 2,238 March 17, 2014 at 11:21 AM
Was thinking about giving my daughter a phone. We have no house phone, only cell phones. Was thinking about getting her one so if she is at the rink and done early, she could call me to come get her or something like that. Or call her friends around the block rather than using my phone?

Wondering what is an appropriate age. She is not overly mature, not immature either.
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dizzsunshine
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Baldilocks
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emelvee
03-17-2014 at 11:21 AM.
03-17-2014 at 11:21 AM.
Quote from dizzsunshine :
Was thinking about giving my daughter a phone. We have no house phone, only cell phones. Was thinking about getting her one so if she is at the rink and done early, she could call me to come get her or something like that. Or call her friends around the block rather than using my phone?

Wondering what is an appropriate age. She is not overly mature, not immature either.
qplr.

Only you can decide what's appropriate. My daughter is 13 and doesn't yet have a cell phone. She is hoping to start babysitting soon, so we'll probably let her use a spare one (a Tracfone) when she is doing that, or if she gets involved in after-school activities.
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Last edited by emelvee March 17, 2014 at 11:23 AM.
Joined Dec 2007
Brown Recluse Aficionado
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chevvy
03-17-2014 at 11:24 AM.
03-17-2014 at 11:24 AM.
yes .
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Joined Mar 2009
Schrödinger's Frog
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Frogstar
03-17-2014 at 11:30 AM.
03-17-2014 at 11:30 AM.
No, that's just fine for the uses you describe.
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Joined Oct 2005
beeeeeer
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mattman688
03-17-2014 at 11:33 AM.
03-17-2014 at 11:33 AM.
i would recommend a trac phone or equivalent without texts... Something like 30 minutes a month.
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nope.
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wuzzy | Staff
03-17-2014 at 11:37 AM.
03-17-2014 at 11:37 AM.
I say go for it. Check the phone log and texts occasionally. But now I say, no texts. Make her earn that when she's older.
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Joined Nov 2008
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Original Poster
dizzsunshine
03-17-2014 at 11:38 AM.
03-17-2014 at 11:38 AM.
I was for sure going to get a trac phone. I would never trust her with a contract phone. not for a couple of years until she is proven responsible with it. Been thinking about it for a couple of months and now there is a sweet deal on 2 trac phones. Thinking I should jump.
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serra | Staff
03-17-2014 at 11:44 AM.
03-17-2014 at 11:44 AM.
Quote from Frogstar :
No, that's just fine for the uses you describe.
Quote from wuzzy :
I say go for it. Check the phone log and texts occasionally. But now I say, no texts. Make her earn that when she's older.
agreed
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Free hugs!
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uniquename
03-17-2014 at 11:45 AM.
03-17-2014 at 11:45 AM.
Quote from emelvee :
Only you can decide what's appropriate. My daughter is 13 and doesn't yet have a cell phone. She is hoping to start babysitting soon, so we'll probably let her use a spare one (a Tracfone) when she is doing that, or if she gets involved in after-school activities.
Mean, mean dad. My daughter is 13 and on her third smart phone.


Quote from chewspam :
yes .
See above.

Quote from Frogstar :
No, that's just fine for the uses you describe.
Yes.

Quote from mattman688 :
i would recommend a trac phone or equivalent without texts... Something like 30 minutes a month.
30 minutes?

Quote from wuzzy :
I say go for it. Check the phone log and texts occasionally. But now I say, no texts. Make her earn that when she's older.
Eh...I'm not with the no texts thing.

The amount of use and amount of texting will greatly depend on her peers. At that age, texting is going to get used more I would guess.

Those saying no as a way to protect your kids...forget it. Kids WILL screw up, they will do stupid things. We all did. If you can't trust your kid not to get in trouble with a phone, God forbid you let them out of the house or out of your sight OMG The best thing you can do is hope you gave them decent values.
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Joined Oct 2005
beeeeeer
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mattman688
03-17-2014 at 11:56 AM.
03-17-2014 at 11:56 AM.
Quote from uniquename :


30 minutes?
yeah she is 9 1/2 years old. How often will she be needing to call someone? At that age she shouldn't need to make more than 10 calls a month. And if she does, its a quick phone call like, "hey come pick me up."
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Free hugs!
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uniquename
03-17-2014 at 11:58 AM.
03-17-2014 at 11:58 AM.
Quote from mattman688 :
yeah she is 9 1/2 years old. How often will she be needing to call someone? At that age she shouldn't need to make more than 10 calls a month. And if she does, its a quick phone call like, "hey come pick me up."

Like I said, it depends on her peers. If none or few have phones, I agree. If a lot do, she will burn the minutes chatting and can't use the phone for it's intended purpose.
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idkist
03-17-2014 at 12:01 PM.
03-17-2014 at 12:01 PM.
... she'll be sexting in no time...
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Joined Nov 2005
quick, like a bunny
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cav
03-17-2014 at 12:11 PM.
03-17-2014 at 12:11 PM.
Quote from dizzsunshine :
I was for sure going to get a trac phone. I would never trust her with a contract phone. not for a couple of years until she is proven responsible with it. Been thinking about it for a couple of months and now there is a sweet deal on 2 trac phones. Thinking I should jump.
I know it's hard when our little ones grow up so fast. but I don't think jumping is going to do anyone any good! might I suggest calling 1-800-273-8255.
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Baldilocks
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emelvee
03-17-2014 at 12:14 PM.
03-17-2014 at 12:14 PM.
Quote from cav :
I know it's hard when our little ones grow up so fast. but I don't think jumping is going to do anyone any good! might I suggest calling 1-800-273-8255.
Your post is ledge...


wait for it...


endary


Scratchchin I don't think that's quite right.
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uniquename
03-17-2014 at 12:18 PM.
03-17-2014 at 12:18 PM.
Quote from emelvee :
Your post is ledge...


wait for it...


endary


Scratchchin I don't think that's quite right.
When you hop in with a bad pun, everyone falls.
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