Is a Blackberry too much for a Middle Schooler?

[Blackberry.Tour]

SOLVED!
(from last page)

We talked and talked about it and.....


SHES GETTING ONE!
Shes so excited! But she's going to work for the $30 data plan, but she is so happy!

2ND EDIT
She is working for the whole thing. She knows that this is all her resposibility. If it ever brakes, she will never have a phone again when shes under my roof. She is paying for it with babysitting and doing a ton of chores., She helps with cosessions at city events and will use that money to help pay for the berry. Some of you seem to think I am buying this for her, but the only thing I'm paying for is the unlimited texting (we all share it) and we made a deal that I'd pay 25% of the phone's total cost. She is working for this!

[KC13]

Not worth it for a 7th grader, maybe go for a Tour when they're in Grade 10.

[mike42]

meh...i'd pay close attention to your bill lol...apps are easily accessible and so are things on your cell providers network.

things can get a little more technical on a BB than they are on an iPod if problems should arise...for a 7th grader who primarily is just going to use the phone probably to text a whole bunch and talk--any phone with a full QWERTY keyboard can do that. Ultimately though, its your call :P

I know if it was me, I wouldn't get one for my kid...its really a needless expense since you'll certainly need to make changes to your cell phone bill in the form of shelling out more money.

[BluCheze]

yeah definitely not worth it. i think shes better off with a pink Pearl or something like that.

[Bittersweet BB]

Well...I would definitely say that Yes it's too much.

As someone who went to middle school without a cell phone at all (because really no one had one) it drives me crazy that kids have cell phones at all. It's just another thing they use to compete with one another....

Obviously, times have changed and even elementary school kids have cell phones these days, but if you're asking for my honest thoughts I think the BlackBerry Tour or ANY BlackBerry is a bit ridiculous for someone so young to have. A plain, simple cell phone that can text and make calls should be sufficient.

I'm not a parent, and you know better than anyone what you're situation is, but I can say that my kids will not be getting a high tech business device in middle school unless they want to get a job and pay for it themselves. But maybe I was just brought up differently.

[ew800]

> My daughter is in the 7th grade and is dying for a Blackberry Tour.

Oh, I hope you are kidding....

[MissJennell]

I personally think its way to much for a middle school age kid. Giving them unrestricted access to the internet and all the dangers that can arise from that is a little bit much for a child. A middle schooler just doesn't have to capacity to comprehend the consiquenses of their actions when dealing with the internet. Most of my family works in schools and sees what can happen to a teen with access to the net like that and I have heard some aweful stories. I have 3 kids and will not be getting them blackberries. Ultimatly its your desicion though. Only you know your child.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

[Netman2008]

Well I personally think most kids of that age know so much about computers that she would have no problems and would probably be more able to learn and learn quick than us.
Things to bear in mind tho are the overall costs, the cost for any add ons and the cost for replacement or repair is she lost or dropped it. All these are more expensive than a normal cell phone but if that is not a major issue then I would say let her have one.

Like MissJennell said only you know your child

[zbertram5]

They grow up so fast...

[JHatz]

I suppose it's based on how mature she is. She wants a phone that hasn't even come out yet so is she a crackberry guru? hah

Honestly, it's hard for me to say this b/c I love blackberry's so much but probably unrealistic for her to have one. $50/month is a lot for your daughter unless money isn't an issue. If it's verizon, data's 30, extra line is 10 and unlimited txt is 10.

A "dumb" phone like the Voyager or Envy is probably more suitable. Browsing the internet and email access is probably neverrrr going to be used.

[wayfr]

no, not a good idea at all.being a 7th grader most likely all she'll do with it is text, listen to music and watch videos. any dumbphone can do that and for a lot cheaper both for the phone and the plan. does she really need a $30-40 per month internet package? no. its too much phone for a kid.

[thesixthman88]

i didn't have a cell phone until freshman year of college and this was back in 2006...give her a phone that does only 2 things, texts and calls, she doesn't need all the other things unless they will actually be useful, else you're puttin ur money down the drain

[SarcasmsFinest]

My sister is in a similiar situation, but I'm not letting her get any smartphone yet. It will be far too distracting.

Get her something she can text easily on, but nothing she can go online with.

[ecooper11]

I got my first BlackBerry in 8th grade and have been using one ever since. It all depends on how responsible she is and what she would use the phone for. If she just wants to text, talk, and play games, try showing her other phones that could do that for less money. But if you think she would use data, email, and the several other functions the BlackBerry platform offers, I say get her one. But in the end, the decision is up to you.

[mike42]

Originally Posted by MissJennell

I personally think its way to much for a middle school age kid. Giving them unrestricted access to the internet and all the dangers that can arise from that is a little bit much for a child. A middle schooler just doesn't have to capacity to comprehend the consiquenses of their actions when dealing with the internet. Most of my family works in schools and sees what can happen to a teen with access to the net like that and I have heard some aweful stories. I have 3 kids and will not be getting them blackberries. Ultimatly its your desicion though. Only you know your child.

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

That too...forgot about the possible social ramifications of having a BB :P

Cell phones can be used for fun and games, but keep in mind they're communication tools first, toys second. I think letting her have a more advanced cell phone for texting would certainly cure the itch to have a BB Tour.

Who's your cell provider? If Verizon, the env touch is very nice You can have a little more control over that but still let her have the freedom of having a high tech communication tool :P You can get a cheaper data plan and monitor how she uses the phone or if it becomes too much of a distraction. In two years when that contract is up she'd probably be a little more ready for the BB.

Just my two cents though...not parenting for you :P