[ronfc]

Maybe get him/her a cheap Curve for simple BBM/call/SMS.

Cave, cave, moderator videt

[Rahul1234]

12 is the perfect age, I got my first smartphone in 2012 when I was 12 and it was some android crap, now I have been converted into a BlackBerry loyalist

Posted via CB10

[hakimmmmm]

When people stop calling them child

Posted via CB10

[SUBLIMINALLYINCORRECT]

give a child access to hardcore porn at their fingertips?!?!

[duboisstephane0]

I have 4 children.
The oldest is finishing his first year of high school and has long noticed that other students have smartphones.
There is no way they can afford them so my take is that they are in a family situation which allows them to prance around with one in their hands.

The usual scenario is their parents are divorced/separated and their guilt and search for attention and love from their children equates to buying a smartphone and paying for the service.

And no this is not a generalized view.
It is a factual observation.
In the last 13 years, I have seen way to many families breaking up at a whim and those that have not are an exception.

Anyhow, my son has a flip phone which he has purchased and has paid for the phone service because he worked occasionally last summer.
Therefore he understands how much it costs and how much he had to work last summer to pay for this.

It is expensive to own a smartphone and not many adolescents realize this but too many have them.

It is the prerogative of the parents to offer a smartphone to their children but not me.

I do not see the value of offering my children a smartphone.
They can claim social status any other method that does not require prancing around with a gizmo in their hands.

Cheers !!!


Posted via CB10

[nason54]

All parents will feel differently about this. I didn't get my first cell phone until I was a senior in high school, and bought my own. I think I will have my child do the same.

I had a family computer since as long as I can remember, and got my own in middle school. I still haven't figured out how I'm going to handle that, but I feel a time restriction may be best. I don't want my child to be on a PC all day, but instead be active.

Posted via CB10

I really couldn't agree more. I've got my first cellphone when I was a senior in high school and my first smartphone just three years ago and we don't need children staring at a screen all day and not be active. I remember growing up, I was outside playing and falling down getting cuts and scrapes not being glued to a screen.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lpe.dejong]

When children are old enough to go places by themselves they should be allowed a phone. I do feel they should pay for it themselves. Wash cars mow lawns etc. I got my first phone when I was 12 or 13. And my first smartphone when I was 18 and I could legally sign a contract with a carrier.

Posted via CB10

[anon(4185604)]

I'm sorry but I disagree with most of the posts I've read so far.

I got my first BlackBerry at the age of 12 and it really depends on child-to-child on what age to give them a smart phone. For some, such as myself, it can lead to us wanting to learn to develop apps for the phone which helps give insight to a potential career in the future. For others, they can become "spoilt". I believe it's important for the younger ones to be able to use technology as their work in the future is very likely to be related to it. However, don't just buy a child a new smartphone whenever he wants one; teach him the value of money and allow him to "earn" it.

A lot of people posting here are thinking "well I got one when I was 15" - well times have changed. Smartphones didn't even exist when you purchased a phone, and even I see 6 year olds and think "I never had a phone till 12" - but in reality that's our narrow-minded, jealous character being exposed.

Posted via CB10

[nason54]

I'm sorry but I disagree with most of the posts I've read so far.

I got my first BlackBerry at the age of 12 and it really depends on child-to-child on what age to give them a smart phone. For some, such as myself, it can lead to us wanting to learn to develop apps for the phone which helps give insight to a potential career in the future. For others, they can become "spoilt". I believe it's important for the younger ones to be able to use technology as their work in the future is very likely to be related to it. However, don't just buy a child a new smartphone whenever he wants one; teach him the value of money and allow him to "earn" it.

A lot of people posting here are thinking "well I got one when I was 15" - well times have changed. Smartphones didn't even exist when you purchased a phone, and even I see 6 year olds and think "I never had a phone till 12" - but in reality that's our narrow-minded, jealous character being exposed.

Posted via CB10

Then again you do have a point. What happens if they get obsessed with a smartphone and doesn't really do anything productive? All they do all day is play games and chat?


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[anon(4185604)]

Then again you do have a point. What happens if they get obsessed with a smartphone and doesn't really do anything productive? All they do all day is play games and chat?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's where discipline comes in. You have to talk to them and make them understand that it's bad for them, without forcing them. I mean, even a few months ago I would play 12+ hours(daily) of counter strike on my custom built gaming PC and my mom really regretted buying it for me. Sometimes, kids need to realise stuff on their own, and I feel as if, if I always had all the gadgets and stuff that others did, I wouldn't be so obsessed with them at this age. Then again, CS is the only game I play.

Don't go with the stick, go with the carrot. However, I do believe that as a parent it's very tempting to confiscate your child's phone especially if it's affecting their grades and social life. At that point, you seriously need to speak to your child. Trust me, children are immature, but not stupid Treat them nicely, and explain stuff in a way that makes sense to THEM (crucial) and they will listen.

All that being said, there is no way I'm gonna have a kid xD (way too damn scared of how he or she will turn out)

Posted via CB10

[Stevebez]

... "spoilt" ...
Posted via CB10

"Spoiled".

Apparently you were so busy writing apps that you missed a spelling test or two.

[nason54]

That's where discipline comes in. You have to talk to them and make them understand that it's bad for them, without forcing them. I mean, even a few months ago I would play 12+ hours(daily) of counter strike on my custom built gaming PC and my mom really regretted buying it for me. Sometimes, kids need to realise stuff on their own, and I feel as if, if I always had all the gadgets and stuff that others did, I wouldn't be so obsessed with them at this age. Then again, CS is the only game I play.

Don't go with the stick, go with the carrot. However, I do believe that as a parent it's very tempting to confiscate your child's phone especially if it's affecting their grades and social life. At that point, you seriously need to speak to your child. Trust me, children are immature, but not stupid Treat them nicely, and explain stuff in a way that makes sense to THEM (crucial) and they will listen.

All that being said, there is no way I'm gonna have a kid xD (way too damn scared of how he or she will turn out)

Posted via CB10

Lol That's well said.


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[WWBlondieDo]

"Spoiled".

Apparently you were so busy writing apps that you missed a spelling test or two.

http://grammarist.com/usage/spoiled-spoilt/

http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us..._english/spoil

Apparently you were so busy being rude that you missed a grammar lesson or two.

Posted via CB10

[UnlimitedEra]

I got a smart phone when I was 13
It was a Nokia 6600

Via CB10 on Z10STL100-2/10.3.0.296

[ianbordas]

I'm currently debating this as I have a 9 year old son, we don't have a home land line and we have wanted to have a way to keep track of him when on field trips or a way to reach him when he's at his grandparents. So honestly looking at an old iPhone 4s cause my wife has an iPhone too and loves to use the Find Friends feature and we would be putting all parental controls as possible for a phone he will not really be using but when we allow him to. I think this is a bit delicate for some people but times are changing, technology is definitely something we did have have when we were that age and obviously it sounds ridiculous to others. I just hope parental controls are strong enough to help us keep control of his use like block text messaging. Only allow BBM with us parents etc.

Posted via CB10

[nason54]

I'm currently debating this as I have a 9 year old son, we don't have a home land line and we have wanted to have a way to keep track of him when on field trips or a way to reach him when he's at his grandparents. So honestly looking at an old iPhone 4s cause my wife has an iPhone too and loves to use the Find Friends feature and we would be putting all parental controls as possible for a phone he will not really be using but when we allow him to. I think this is a bit delicate for some people but times are changing, technology is definitely something we did have have when we were that age and obviously it sounds ridiculous to others. I just hope parental controls are strong enough to help us keep control of his use like block text messaging. Only allow BBM with us parents etc.

Posted via CB10

If it's absolutely necessary then you gotta do what you gotta do. Still setting some ground rules would be good. Like no app purchases without you guys knowing would be one.


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[anon(4185604)]

Well yeah obviously I wouldn't put my card on an Apple ID and give it to my son/daughter either. By the way, it will make your life easier in terms of communication, and you will have to trust him to use the phone appropriately at some point anyway.

With that said, this 17 year old is going to turn on private browsing soon ^_^

Posted via CB10

[bambinoitaliano]

The need of smart phones by young children should be define by the parents. What function does it serve for the parents? The reason should be precaution rather than paranoia. The reason should be practical not just another toy to catch up with the Jones. Phones are not microchips implanted on a person for discovery or recovery purposes if one is thinking along that line.

Posted via CB10

[anischab]

The need of smart phones by young children should be define by the parents. What function does it serve for the parents? The reason should be precaution rather than paranoia. The reason should be practical not just another toy to catch up with the Jones. Phones are not microchips implanted on a person for discovery or recovery purposes if one is thinking along that line.

Posted via CB10

Our neighbour's daughter is 12 and wants to What'sApp... So figure out!
My son is 2... He taps on my PlayBook, watching "TuTiTu"-3min-youtube-videos before going to sleep! (I am with him, though) ;-)

Posted via my BlackBerry*Q10, Germany - SQN100-3, Running OS 10.2.1.2102

[tntmom2013]

My oldest is now 20 and had a flip phone at 12, it was a pay as you go and strictly so we could have contact when the kids were not at home I think about 14 she got a BlackBerry Curve then 3 yrs ago changed to the iPhone, now I'm trying to convert her back to a BlackBerry on the upgrade later this year.

My 15 year old had a flip phone at about 12 as well, she NEVER used it! Changed her to a used BlackBerry about a year later until 3yrs ago when we got her an iphone.....she actually uses hers in class now, she COULD use her ipod with wifi at school but that would be the same as having to carry 2 phones!

When my oldest was in high school phones weren't allowed in school, now with my younger one they're expected to have phones....they use them in the classroom daily for actual school work and Teachers and coaches all text the kids information.



Posted via CB10

[lpe.dejong]

Posted via CB10

[mf1982]

I'm currently debating this as I have a 9 year old son, we don't have a home land line and we have wanted to have a way to keep track of him when on field trips or a way to reach him when he's at his grandparents. So honestly looking at an old iPhone 4s cause my wife has an iPhone too and loves to use the Find Friends feature and we would be putting all parental controls as possible for a phone he will not really be using but when we allow him to. I think this is a bit delicate for some people but times are changing, technology is definitely something we did have have when we were that age and obviously it sounds ridiculous to others. I just hope parental controls are strong enough to help us keep control of his use like block text messaging. Only allow BBM with us parents etc.

Posted via CB10

Some people come off as know it all judges when this kind of topic pops up.

I bought a Z10 for my then 7 year old for Christmas (8 now). She uses it to BBM with some family members and a close friend of hers. There are clear ground rules for it (at this point nothing is private). It is wifi only, so not much more than a BlackBerry iPod. As for when she'll be able to get a cell plan - I would imagine probably closer to, if not when in high school, but I'll have to make that decision in a few years.

Obviously parents need to be involved in guiding their kids with this tech. My kids would spend all day, every day on their devices if allowed, but parenting comes in and their screen time is limited.

Some days, after school when they're exhausted, sure sit and watch YouTube or play games for a while. On weekends, I get them out of the house playing and all screens are away. They know if they break the rules, they lose them for the day or week depending on what I say. If they choose to break the rules in any way I do take it away and don't give it back until the time I said I would.

I didn't get my first cell phone until my 20's, first smartphone in my 30's, so should I keep my kids under a rock because we didn't have that tech? I'll do what I can to teach them to learn to use it properly, probably limit access to some apps (who ever invented SnapChat is obviously not a parent!) and help them learn how to use it for good.

Back in the day, we'd wait for new shows on a certain day, my kids know that their favourite YouTube channel releases a new video every Wednesday. That's their thing and that's how it is now. They watch and talk at school just as if it was a traditional TV show.

Every parent needs to determine what is best for their child and not shove their noses into everyone else's business. If you think your kid is ready for a phone, buy it and don't mind what others say.

[dragyn451]

There is no right answer. It is dependent on you and your family. If you are seeking opinions, as a parent and teacher, a child is ready for a smartphone when he / she is able to pay the bill.

~Z10 Baby~

[anon(4185604)]

There is no right answer. It is dependent on you and your family. If you are seeking opinions, as a parent and teacher, a child is ready for a smartphone when he / she is able to pay the bill.

~Z10 Baby~

Lol I wouldn't be able to pay my bills till I'm 22 years old? So that means I shouldn't have a smartphone till then? That generic answer is so terrible in my opinion. However, no disrespect to you, I just think that if someone wants to go to university (college) and get a master's degree, they'll be focussing on their academics and not on a part-time job, hence they are unable to pay for liabilities till quite some time.

Posted via CB10

[anischab]

A friend's son is 10, he uses What's App with "Group"... His Class mates and one teacher share Homework and they even communicate with the teacher at free time to get some advice or sth clarified!!
I am positively surprised!!!

BlackBerry*Q10, Germany - SQN100-3, Running OS 10.2.1.2941