[mo_gott]

So i bought my wife the storm, she hates it. Loves her curve (which i have to) Our daughter who is 12 wants us to keep it and let her have it..
She currently has the dare

So my question is.... Is she to young for this phone?
would like to hear some opinions from everyone!!!

Some info first
She is very responsible, good grades, helps out alot with brothers and sisters, all around great kid(couldnt ask for better) babysits alot of the time for free (friends and family) very athletic with a very busy schedule.

Curious what everyone thinks, the package for the dare is $20 a month
we are verizon and the dare has to have V cast and email
Blackberry package is $30 so cost not a issue at all

Thanks




WOW that is all i can say, if you read thru all the posts you would say the same thing. Alot of issues and never imagined i would get all the posts that i did. Well after much discussion we have decided to (drum roll)


give her the storm for Xmas (boos,cheers????)

our decision was based upon SOME of these reasons:
She will have almost 2 weeks with it before our thirty days with verizon is up
if it doesnt pan out then we return it and back to the dare she goes

Technology is a great thing we need to keep our kids up to date

The cost seemed to be a huge issue with the replys: Our answer no different then a 150-300 dollar IPOD that kids use just for music,games and videos.

why not reward a kid with something she wants for working hard and being a great kid (she babysit last nite $45 dollars made $40 she asked to put in her savings account) report card came home 5 A's one B

The open source of the internet was a HUGE issue in the replys: Our answer are u kidding me!!!! the internet is great!!! what a huge source of info Porn (again are u kidding me) we are not worried about our 12 year old daughter surfing for porn on her phone (we have a 14 yr old son, he needs to be watched as we all did at that age lol)

As parents we teach and guide, thats the best we can do. Our worries never end and the love never stops!!!! I am sure alot of people dont agree but it wouldnt be the first parental mistake we have made and may not be the last. On the other hand it could turn out to be great!! all we can do is provide the chance, which we are
thanks again for all the replys

[anon(96573)]

As long as she can use it I say month age is too young. The dare is pretty similar to the storm in a lot of ways actually.

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[Crucial_Xtreme]

So i bought my wife the storm, she hates it. Loves her curve (which i have to) Our daughter who is 12 wants us to keep it and let her have it..
She currently has the dare

So my question is.... Is she to young for this phone?
would like to hear some opinions from everyone!!!

Some info first
She is very responsible, good grades, helps out alot with brothers and sisters, all around great kid(couldnt ask for better) babysits alot of the time for free (friends and family) very athletic with a very busy schedule.

Curious what everyone thinks, the package for the dare is $20 a month
we are verizon and the dare has to have V cast and email
Blackberry package is $30 so cost not a issue at all

Thanks

Personally, I think 12 is too young for a BlackBerry. But that's me. My son is 10 and wants one badly. He'll be at least 16 before he gets one in this house. That said, I don't know you nor your daughter, and what you decide is best. I just don't see how anyone under 16 or 17 has a need for a BlackBerry. Regardless, GL. Let us know how it goes. BTW, all of the kids from High School to Junior High are talking about the Storm.

[zeni]

At that age, I don't think the actual age is as important as the maturity and responsibility demonstarted by the child. I think that from your description of her, she would definitely be responsible enough. My only concern would be school friends and since schools don't allow phones on the premises, she should be fine.
If she were my daughter I would at least give her a chance with it. (and it would be a great source of discipline..."you're grounded from your storm for 3 days" LOL

just my 2 cents

[hdbulldog4]

Why does a 12 year old even need a phone?

[Crucial_Xtreme]

Why does a 12 year old even need a phone?

This is what I think as well. Especially a BlackBerry. But everyone is different and I can't tell anyone what to do with their child.

[arab305]

what he **** does a little kid need a bb storm for ? i swear parents nowadays have no control over their kids and give em everything they want. they could get a bb after 17 or something

[jlii]

I work with many kids that age on a daily basis in youth programs and helping single parents raise their kids. I will say that the three biggest concerns are:
1. The phone/BB being a distraction
2. Unlimited access to information
3. Others having unmonitored access to the child.

That said if you can mitigate those concerns by using Blackberry Unite! I wouldn't be concerned. In fact a Blackberry is an excellent parent tool as well with GPS location sharing software and all.

I hope this helps. I have a few kids I'm around that young who are mature enough for them.

I believe children can handle what we train and teach them to handle, in this regard.

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[dsump]

any number with teen in it is too young for a blackberry.

[arab305]

^ good point jlii but think about it. kids nowadays have everything when we were younger none of this was available to us. i say get your kid the cheapest phone possible. kids arent that responsible and should be happy to have a cell phone at such a young age. when i was a kid you wouldve been the coolest kid if you had a yoyo and a beeper. i guess times have really changed.....i didnt get a cell phone until 16 and that was because i was working part time and good grades in school. pretty much i bought the best regular phone you could have lg vx6000 on verizon wireless. i mean its good to give your kids a phone to keep in contact with but the line has to be drawn somewhere.

[ArizonaGuy]

...I will say that the three biggest concerns are:
1. The phone/BB being a distraction
2. Unlimited access to information
3. Others having unmonitored access to the child.

Bolding mine. I'm not understanding your point. Can you explain how access to information is a concern and/or potential negative point? Are you talking about cheating with school or something else?

[jlii]

Moreso negative distractions fueled by peer pressure porn, information that kids minds can't handle yet. Its harder to get it on a regular cell phone in my opinion

I didn't have a PDA/PDA Phone until I was in college and I owned my own business but I can see it work now.

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[matrix2004]

How about RIM make a kid version of their OS? LOL.

[threefortyduster]

any number with teen in it is too young for a blackberry.

You are aware that many TEENS go to college, and hasn't it been said on this forum many times that college students can be greatly helped by the use of a BlackBerry? Sure, I didn't get one until I was 23, but come on, 18 and 19 year olds sure do get quite a bit of stuff on their plates, especially if they have some sort of drive to make something of themselves. I know plenty of 18 and 19 year old business owners who live by their BBs. But they shouldn't have them.

As for the 12 year old...if you feel she is old enough for it, give it a try. It's only $10 extra, and it might just show her even more responsibility, but I would say be strict with it. Use it as leverage.

[Crucial_Xtreme]

How about RIM make a kid version of their OS? LOL.

Lol. Let's get the first one right first.

[vndlewis]

Plus the text package. Personally I think 12 is too young for a storm/BB. A 6th/7th grader does not need that much of a phone. I don't think someone that young should be able to get online whenever they want without adult supervision.

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[mariob]

I don't think she is to young at all I have a 14 year old daughter how has had a cell phone since she was 10 there was a post that
Said it was how mature the child is. And from the sound of it lit her have it. Plus with the way the blackberry are now they are no longer just for the business person they can do so much it is amazing now if it was a older serious of blackberry that would be deferent. Then again she propabably would not won't it. Lol

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[SlimJimTight]

Imo, I think 12 is a little young bec my sister is bawically what y described uabove. Mt sister uses a env2 and she's pretty stisfied with uim text and she is nearly 14. But as a future good parant I would def keep my children spoiled and up to date with thelatest gadgets lol.the bis package is really a blower for me bec I only use about 2-3 hours of interter on this phone and about 100 emails. A day... Wish they had a cheaper package and I sont even use up the unlimited plan but oh well lol

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[pdt]

When my daughter was 12, she went swimming and forgot to take the phone out of the pocket in her bathing suit. It turned out OK in the end: she let it dry out and then it worked fine. But it was a good scare -- she knew if it didn't work she would have to replace it with her own money, $79 full price -- and she won't do that again.

What I'm trying to say is kids need to learn these lessons from making mistakes and dealing with the consequences. I'd rather have them learn with relatively inexpensive consequences, rather than a $500 smart phone.

She's 14 now, still has the same phone, and hasn't asked for a Storm yet. I'm holding my breath.

[tennislvr8]

Input from a teacher/parent perspective.

I think 12 is entirely too young for a phone, responsible or not. Kids are growing up entirely too fast in this world and are given very little time to be kids! This instant access to information, I have found, can be generalized to instant access to EVERYTHING and that is not how the real world works. Also, from cell phones to uggs----what about the kids who dont have (I know it is not your fault their parents dont ________ fill in the blank). But from a schoo perspective it sets up the haves and the haves not, it is one of the beginings of isloation, peer pressure, etc. I cannot tell you how many kids in my school have Uggs and the ones with the fake uggs are teases, ridiculed and made to feel less than becuase they dont have the real ones=====i teach in an elementary school. It is very hard to create an sense of communuty when these things occur. If she gets a storm now, what will she have to look forward to? Let's slow down growing up for kids and let them enjoy age appropriate things and leave adults things for them to look forward to.

Just my two cents!

[Superballs5337]

i dont think kids should have a cell phone like this. kids should have a kids phone. they dont have the respect or the responsibility. what happens if she looses it or it gets stolen. but its your phone your kid. plus kids these days dont respect things that are just given to them and not earned. im glad my generation was basically the last to have to work for things. i see so many kids and their parents just give them stuff and the respect isnt there...sorry for the rant.

[mulder]

I'm ok with kids having a phone when it makes sense. My 14yo sister goes to a school across town and takes public transportation. For only $12-$13/mo, she can call us when she's staying late at school or going to the library. Her friends also have vzw so she doesnt really use minutes and doesn't tie up the home phone. She's smart and responsible (unlike her 17yo sister that incurred $50 in sms charges ) so for us it makes sense.

Would I pay for a data plan? **** naw...

Would I give her a $200 phone? She's taken care of her $150 iPod Nano so far so it's not totally out of the question.

[dredayholiday]

I really dislike this faction of people in society that place age as the deciding factor when it comes to technology. In Japan there are 6 year old kids using very advanced cellphones as well as other devices (and it shows), yet in this country "they're too young." Why is this? Maybe with better parenting and education children would be mature and smart enough to use an expensive piece of equipment properly. There are reasons we lag behind in science and mathematics and this simplification of young people based on their age is another factor; although not a main factor in any sense, it is still one in my opinion. Young people need cellphones in todays world; that's just the way it is. I saw on the news about 2 years ago where a little boy was about to get snatched, but he managed to take a picture of the guy with his camera phone, the police were then able to apprehend the would be kidnapper and prevent him from going and harming someone else's child. It is a good thing that almost kidnapped child's parents didn't say "well you're only 8 you don't need a phone." In response to the OP, yes, give your daughter the phone, there is no reason not to. The cognitive reasoning abilities and skills she would learn just by becoming learned with the capabilities and functions of the phone is reason enough to give it to her; plus as you stated yourself, there is nothing she has done for you not to give it to her.

[ndata]

What does a Kid need a blackberry for? She has a Dare, What more does she need. I dont think any of her friends have a bb so bbm is useless along with email. (Let me hit on my girlfriend on her email so we can go to the mall.) Oh thats right shes 12. How she going to get there. I can see this also just like the JORDANS when I was younger kids getting jumped for their shoes. I dont care how mature your kids is. They should be happy with what they have.

[Adrenaline]

Input from a teacher/parent perspective.

I think 12 is entirely too young for a phone, responsible or not. Kids are growing up entirely too fast in this world and are given very little time to be kids! This instant access to information, I have found, can be generalized to instant access to EVERYTHING and that is not how the real world works. Also, from cell phones to uggs----what about the kids who dont have (I know it is not your fault their parents dont ________ fill in the blank). But from a schoo perspective it sets up the haves and the haves not, it is one of the beginings of isloation, peer pressure, etc. I cannot tell you how many kids in my school have Uggs and the ones with the fake uggs are teases, ridiculed and made to feel less than becuase they dont have the real ones=====i teach in an elementary school. It is very hard to create an sense of communuty when these things occur. If she gets a storm now, what will she have to look forward to? Let's slow down growing up for kids and let them enjoy age appropriate things and leave adults things for them to look forward to.

Just my two cents!

This is the best argument for not allowing her to have it. I think all of the points have merit and true, real world consequences.

That said:
I am a computer programmer now. No degree in computer science. I took one programming course in college and decided that pursuing it as a major was not for me. Most of the things I learned, I learned from my own experience tinkering with computers since I was 13. Having unlimited access to information and a tool to put that information to use completely directed my life to a career that I have the opportunity to pursue because my parents made those tools available to me.

Is 12 too young for this device? barring the social implications sited by envied, I do not think it's too young at all. If she is mature enough and uses the phone as a tool that she can play with (and yes potentially break) I think it will go a long way in teaching her about responsibly and trust. You paid for the phone already though yeah? Why not make her pay for it? Or have her pay the service bill until the phone is paid off. This will then teach her a lesson about valuing what she has. Making her pay for it in some way is key IMO.

Make her earn it and make sure she is using it responsibly. We may think it's too young, but who knows, she may be teaching you how a blackberry works in the near future.

Give it to her with .65 installed and then point her to the forum to figure out how to install .83, then she'll be learning how these things work. Use it as a teaching/learning tool. Also, if you use a BB too, you can periodically ask her if she's found anything cool on it because you want to know. Kids want to be talked to, not AT. Having her showing YOU something cool puts you on an even playing field and makes for a more mature adult.

my two cents...