Would you allow your preteen to have a phone of their own?

[drizzle]

I'm in two minds about whether this is a good thing or not. Is 12 too young to have your own cellphone? In this day and age of predators for safety it seems wise but I'm not keen on the idea of her being able to text anyone she wants to, especially when it will have internet access.

[Wren]

I recall reading somewhere that sex crimes are actually at an all-time low, I can't find any sites that show the crime rate by year however. Heaven forbid I'd want to know how much crime there is this year.

I'd let them, but I'd make it clear that the phone bill is theirs to pay and theirs alone. Simple.

[Mockingbird]

Yes I would, and I also let my teen have a facebook, but there was a catch, I also have to have the passwords, the phone is one of those family plans so i see what calls are going out and in. Never had a problem because we have always had good communication, on the plus side it is a good way to find out about class mates and peers,k gives a good heads up who to avoid

[rusty]

I would probably let them have a simple phone that can be used only for calling - no games, Internet, and other stuff like that. I would also monitor it. I know first hand what can happen when a teen has a phone and no supervision - my 12-year-old niece, it turns out, has been receiving sexual messages and photos from a 27-year-old. 

[Orrymain]

Call me an old prude, but I think we are too technology oriented.  For me, it's a no on the cellphone until high school, and then on a limited basis until they are 16 or 18, depending on maturity levels.

[ausqtie]

I am a single mom so the ability to allow my son to have a cell phone was a blessing.  No more wondering where he is, what he is doing, or getting our singles crossed on when and where to meet.  I do know that sometimes he spends too much time on the phone, but even if it was a landline phone that would happen.  What to give to your child should be based on your child’s maturity.

[Orrymain]

I do agree that having a cell phone for a preteen or a teenager can mean peace of mind and security.  There are simply needs to be safeguards put into place.

[lavern]

I think for me, I would not allow my daughter to have her own phone. We parents can not really detect those persons whom she would contact or what. My daughter will be turning 11 years old this year, she has her own celphone but I don’t allow her to bring it to school.

[Orrymain]

My hunch is that since Columbine and all that have followed a lot of parents feel better for themselves if they know their child has a cell phone on them.

[Tired]

Yes I would and do.  They only get a limited amount of time, though.  As has been mentioned, there is a safety factor behind our reasoning.

[exzfactor]

Yes I will permit my daughter to have a cellphone but I need to monitor this from time to time. It's better to be safe than never.

[toddlerdance20]

Hey everyone
I want your suggestion over the topic I mentioned above.
Hope you will post..

[panda]

yes i also have allow to my preteen to have a phone of their own but i take hardly monitoring this and i have check it time to time what they have to do in this.

[saad10]

As you know that mobile is the way of communication .. so we should allow to our preteen to have a cell phone,but a simple cell phone, only for communication purpose.And take monitoring this time to time.

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