Do youngsters go wrong if they are provided with this???

India
August 28, 2008 12:40am CST
Hey guys. In this modern world, everyone do have a cellphone. School going students also have cellphones. They also use Internet these days. Do you feel that its good to provide these to children below 18?? Once we get the cellphone we will be sort of addicted to it. We just keep on texting. Don't you think that it will somehow cause problems to students. I have seen someone going wrong. That friend of mine was provided with separate room with phone connection, Internet and her own mobile. Whats your view about this??? Will you give your child all these during young age???
3 people like this
17 responses
• United States
29 Aug 08
Children SHOULD NOT have CELL PHONES!!! For the last time, children are too young for cell phones. When they are 16 and 17, and they can prove that they are mature and responsible young adults, then they may have a cell phone. I had to prove to my mother that I was mature and responsible enough to have a cell phone before she gave me one. I am so glad my mother did that because that taught me a lesson, it taught me that not everything in life is free, and that I have to work for what I want. I do not give a damn if this is the 21st century and that it is a more dangerous world out there. I grew up without a cell phone and there was a war going on when I was child too (Anyone remember the first Gulf War? You do. And children were not given cell phones back then). Children today are being spoiled rotten and they do not know what hard work and sacrifice is. They think that they can get everything that they want. Well, they cannot. Children need to learn responsibility first.
• United States
30 Aug 08
Actually, my child would be a more responsible person if I did not have a cell phone until they were 16 or 17 because cell phones are not cheap and I do not want my children to think that they can have everything without working for it. I did not have a cell phone until I was 16 or 17 and I am glad for that. People are to dependent on technology these days, and that will end up being their downfall.
• United States
30 Aug 08
I think a child should have a cell phone. I bought my first one at the age of 13. I couldnt use it because it was pre-paid. It was for emergency use only. I wouldnt want to be your child. I think you should start them off with pre-paid. But make them buy it themselves. Prepaid is torture because you have a set amount of minutes. You cant even talk on the phone all you want and you cant text alot or you are out of luck and out of minutes.
1 person likes this
• India
29 Aug 08
Ya I do agree with you yar. There should be limit for everything. If a child can manage to limit his/her usage in cellphones then there is nothing wrong. When these things are provided in their room, they can't restrict themselves from using it. I am so sure about that. Happy to have your response.
1 person likes this
@lanlan011 (701)
• United States
28 Aug 08
I had to buy my first cell phone and it was prepaid. I bought it in the 8th grade a couple of years ago. After that i got another prepaid and then a contract. I dont text as much as i used too. You should start out with a prepaid phone and set limits and then get them a contract phone. There's nothing wrong with the internet it helps with projects and communications. Monitoring the pc time is good.
• United States
30 Aug 08
I was 13 years old. Nothing is wrong with the internet. What is wrong is the PARENTS. they arent monitoring their children. I have friends who have a pc tv and cell phone in their rooms and they stay in there all day. Their parents dont even monitor what they are doing. At my house out computers are all out in the open so you cant hide what you are doing. nothing is wrong with the internet it is the parents.
• India
29 Aug 08
Ya there are so many possibilities for a child to go wrong if provided with Internet. It doesn't matter if its present in the common room. Never provide separate rooms for kids below 18 with all the electronic facilities in the room.
• United States
28 Aug 08
I wonder how old you are? It was very good that you bought your own cell phone, that showed good maturity. But to say there is nothing wrong with internet shows severe naivity. There is plenty wrong with the internet. It is the most dangerous place for children to play.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
I would give my daughter a cell phone in the future... maybe when she is already in grade 3 or 4... but i will teach her to use it in a responsible way... letting them do what they want with it is the one that will lead them to being addicted to using the cell phone... and i would never ever give her, her their own telephone line and internet connection in her room... that would be difficult to monitor...
• India
28 Aug 08
Ya I do agree with you. Its really difficult to monitor them once given a separate room for them. Better to avoid that.
1 person likes this
• United States
28 Aug 08
I would not give a child a cell phone unless he/she could pay for its use. You rish teaching them that they can use it when/however, without having to incur the expense. When they get out on there own, (even if it is 10 years from now), they will not fully understand the financial responsibility of using the cell phone. Even my sister, who didn't have a cell until after she graduated high school, racked up 1000+ dollars in cell bills. If a person cannot be responsible for the things they use, they should not be using them.
1 person likes this
• India
29 Aug 08
Ya you are right. I never encourage people to get cellphones to school going kids. Its not actually necessary. They will not know the use of it properly. But graduation students can use that properly.
• India
28 Aug 08
It depends on the youngster and his/her parents. A kid need not really "go wrong" if he/she is provided Internet/mobile/phone connection, provided the kid is prudent and mature enough. However, what parents are so rich to provide so much to their kids? Most homes have a common Internet and land line, and each family member has a mobile phone. Honestly, I don't think kids can go that wrong with their own mobile. The greatest harm they ever do with a mobile is waste hours and hours of precious time sending senseless messages or talk for hours over the mobile. Of course, if you give an Internet connection to a gullible teenager, he/she might get into some unsavory relationships, which might be bad for his/her well being. On the other hand, he/she might use it for his/her studies! So, you see, everything has its negatives or positives. It all depends on the teenager and his/her parents. Cheers and happy mylotting
• India
29 Aug 08
Well, what kids do is their parents' problem. It is up to the parents to "discipline" their kids. As I said, it all depends on the kids and their parents. Some parents give credit cards to their kids. Some kids do part time work and pay for their own mobiles. And some kids demand a lot from their parents. It is not possible to make generalized statements here. It all depends on individual situations. Cheers!!
• India
29 Aug 08
Hey guys. You all forgot that there is one more relationship called Friends. Many kids go wrong because of their friends. Its difficult for parents to monitor them when they are with their friends. If one of his/her friend is mature enough to go wrong, obviously it will affect others also.
• United States
28 Aug 08
I noticed your statement that a kid cannot go wrong with a cell phone, all they can do is talk too much, or text too much. That is a huge "go wrong" moment. They would have no idea how much that would cost, and then who is stuck with the bill. Kids need limits, for that matter, adults need limits. Setting limits for your children will help them learn to control themselves and handle their own adult lives with maturity and responsibility rather than running to mom and dad when things get tight. Do want to be raising 30 year old children, I think not. Teach the tools they need to stand on their own two feet.
1 person likes this
@tlb0822 (1410)
• United States
28 Aug 08
I don't think there is anything wrong with giving youths cell phones, as long as they are taught to use them responsibly. A lot of cell phone companys offer a plan were you can stop traffic from and to there cell phone during certain hours of your choice, and only allow the parents to contact them or vice versa. In todays world, I would feel more comfortable with my daughter carrying a cell phone in case of an emergency at school. Most schools now permit cell phones as long as they aren't used during school hours. Which makes sense, you don't want your child texting during class when they should be learning. So teaching children to be responsible with them is the best remedy.
@tlb0822 (1410)
• United States
3 Sep 08
I agree that it can hinder their learning. A lot of celll phone companys allow a limited use to wear the parents can set boundaries on usae, even to not allow any calls during school hours. I jut would personally feel more comfortable with my child having a cellphone for an emergency...for instance columbine high school. Children were able to make outgoing calls to parents to tell them what was going on, and were able to make calls to authorities. But I do agree that the usage could be hindering and should be monitored.
• India
4 Sep 08
Ya I do agree with you. If boundaries can be set and if one can monitor their child then its ok. When Internet is given in private room its not possible actually. Right????
• India
29 Aug 08
Kids go wrong only during their teenage. Every school will have a phone. So you need not worry about contacting them for emergency. When coming to college, its difficult to contact your kid through college phone. So they can be allowed. When there is no use, why should we use it???? Don't you think that they will be concentrating on learning a lot about cellphones???? Definitely they will. There it starts.
@rkrish (3003)
• India
29 Aug 08
Providing the things, develops the skills and make them to grow. Cellphones and Internet are the developing tools in modern era...It has to be in the hands of youngsters, because they are the only astras(arrow) to make new technology and developments in the cellphones and internet and so on. Taking it right or wrong, is the fate of youngsters...if they use it properly they become the great scientist and inventors if not they need live in roadside. But to get development, the invention of technology to be in the hands of youngsters to invent again and again. The only astras who can make the invention again and again are YOUNGSTERS !!! Believe them. 1% are what we say wrong and 99% are still achieving to make developments.
• India
29 Aug 08
Nope. I don't actually agree with you. Only those who do graduation will need these a lot. Not school going students. It will just spoil them. Whoever it may be.
• United States
30 Aug 08
i agree rkrish. it does help us develop skills and will make way for new inventions. the children are the ones who will be coming up with new inventions. they can find new ways to make the internet a better place. plus the internet helps me with my studies and i learn a ton of things using it. and my cellphone helps me contact friends if i need help. if i didnt have a cellphone how would i contact my mom if i need to study at the library instead of coming home. or if i have practice at school. they are very strict about using the school's phone and plus the school phone disconnects at a certain time.
• India
3 Sep 08
If its only used for some creative purposes and in needed cases then its fine. Have you not seen anyone going wrong when they are provided with this in privacy???? I am asking about Internet.
@lingli_78 (12822)
• Australia
28 Aug 08
i didn't own a cell phone until i was 18... and that is also because i am studying overseas and far away for my parents... so my parents asked my elder brother to give me a cell phone so that they can contact me easier since i live in a college dorm... so i have a second hand cell phone from my brother and i am quite happy with it... i think it is so wrong to gove them phone connection, internet and own mobile phone at such a young age... it will definitely spoiled them and make them a selfish person since they are provided with everything... take care and have a nice day...
• India
29 Aug 08
Ya I do agree with you. Even I had a cellphone when I was doing my higher studies. Thats because my parents couldn't contact me at all. School students can't understand their limits. So better to avoid giving these to them.
@pjj105 (47)
• China
29 Aug 08
I don't think it's a good idea to let the child to close to and use these modern machines. Firstly,the morden technolgy is a double-sword and would do harm to their health.Then I am sure that we love children for their childrish and ignorance,the mankind can learn fast even the children,once they touched, they may be not lovely any more,but more reality and boring.
• India
30 Aug 08
Ya you are right. Happy to have your response.
@magojordan (3252)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
I don't think there's anything wrong with it as long as the child is responsible enough to set important priorities first before using the cellphone. Maybe I wouldn't give a child that is below 12 a cellphone unless necessary like always going alone to school etc. but those who are older could be given their own already if they have shown good sense of responsibility
• India
29 Aug 08
Hey I think you are wrong. Child below 12 will not have any idea of using the cellphone. That child will use the phone only for purpose. And the people above 20 will also know their limits. So its ok to provide them with cellphones. The inbetween aged people must be restricted. That is the age where people will want to know everything. And when they are given a chance for that I mean separate rooms, they will just be free to do all non sense.
@gne925 (80)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
Internet I believe is important to students coz sometimes, they need research and they have homework that can only be found in the internet. I allow my daughter to use the internet but it should be under my supervision so that I can guide and will not let her see some sites that are not intended for children... Mobile phones is not that important. I guess it is just a fad among students. For me, mobile phones is a neccessity for those working and doing business. Gadgets must have for practical reason.
• India
29 Aug 08
Ya you are right. Supervision is really important. This cannot be possible if they are given separate rooms. Happy to have your response.
@acegirl (127)
• China
29 Aug 08
Well, my parents don't allow me to have a cellphone, but they do allow me to surf the internet. They don't think cellphones do any good to teenagers. They make teenagers distract from study work. Lol, it's a traditional chinese thought, but it doesn't affect on many teenagers and their parents. They still have cellphones. But most of them can't do school work well. My parents think surfing the internet precisely can widen my field of vision. It's good,isn't it?
@acegirl (127)
• China
30 Aug 08
sure, i mean in common
• India
29 Aug 08
Its good only when used for studies. Not beyond that. Having computer and Internet in common rooms is ok. But not in separate rooms.
@dhisaw (304)
• United States
28 Aug 08
Well in my opinion a child under 18 should have a cell phone but depending on their age as to what type of cell phone. For me we got a five year old a cellphone for when she went to Florida. It was one of those firefly ones. Also it only had one phone number programmed in it. the school where the kids i know go to they are not supposed to have cell phones in school, but i have a friend that takes hers to school. She only uses it if there is an emergency. i would give my child their own room, but not with its own internet connection and phone. There are certain kinds of cellphones that are good for children to use in an emergency. As long as they are taught what an emergency is and what things would be appropriate for them to use it for. There are some cellphones that are set up to just have three numbers in them which the numbers they mean by that are two numbers to be able to reach each parent and one number for like 911.
• India
29 Aug 08
Ya what you say is right. Its fine if they are not allowed to your kids room. Happy to have your response.
@ptrem475 (20)
• United States
28 Aug 08
I think it is important for children to become familiar with the systems used by the society in which they are raised. Internet, and cell phones are a highly integrated part of the society in which we live. Therefore, while I do believe that children can get by without them, I also believe that they should be familiar with them. As parents, if you have the internet, your child should have access to it in a level that is appropriate for them. I do not think it would be good to purchase the internet for the sole purpose of allowing your children to have it. By the same token, I think that if parents have a cell phone, it is agreeable to allow your children to use it to call their friends or what not, when they are with you, but it is unnecessary to purchase one for your child. However, if your child has a job, or a way to pay for their own, I see no reason why they shouldn't be allowed to use one, provided they prove they are responsible enough. It would not be good to just turn your child loose with one of these devices, you should monitor how your child uses these conveniences. The Bible says that a child left to himself will imagine every wicked device. If you let your child use these things, don't leave him/her to him/herself, guide them through the experience to a place of mature responsibility.
@aseretdd (13730)
• Philippines
29 Aug 08
You commented to my response: "I would not give a child a cell phone unless he/she could pay for its use. You rish teaching them that they can use it when/however, without having to incur the expense. When they get out on there own, (even if it is 10 years from now), they will not fully understand the financial responsibility of using the cell phone. Even my sister, who didn't have a cell until after she graduated high school, racked up 1000+ dollars in cell bills. If a person cannot be responsible for the things they use, they should not be using them." In my country... there is such a thing as a prepaid line... and this is a good way to limit the cell phone use of my child in the future... there is a risk in everything... but i believe that providing my child with a cellphone when she is already able to use it is worth the risk... since that way i can always communicate with her where ever i am... or where ever she is...
• United States
29 Aug 08
A prepaid line is a good thing, like a prepaid credit card, it can be a useful tool to teach your child good responsibility. But it is important for your child to earn that time. Whether it is through extra chores, or actually buying the time themselves. If not, do you honestly think that she will spend that time talking to you? Maybe for awhile. But she will soon trade talking to you for talking with her friends. If she understands that she has to pay for it, she will value the minutes more. If she doesn't have to earn that time whatsoever, then it will not matter to her when she runs out of minutes. You may need to tell her something important, and can't get ahold of her because she ran out of minutes. But if she has to earn them, then when she runs out of minutes, she can either buy more for herself, or she can do some extra work around the house to get more minutes. If she cannot be responsible enough to earn the minutes she uses, how can she use the minutes responsibly.
• India
28 Aug 08
In my view, i don't think giving cellphones or making them accessible to internet is a good thing in their childhood. i give u an example--Bill Gates has restricted his children from sitting on computer more than 2 hrs..(as i have read) bcz he knows the consequences. phones have just become a pastime for students,i am in college i know that. I right now it's my 8hrs. completing over net.
• India
29 Aug 08
Ya of course guys. I do accept the fact that we can learn a lot from Internet. But when coming to kids they don't know whats right and whats wrong. They will be tempted. Its better to limit them.
• United States
28 Aug 08
Now, you know that if someone like Bill Gates limits his children's computer time, it must be important for all children's computer time to be limited. I'm sure the same applies to other electronic devices as well.
@bluishrose (2289)
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
For me, I still provide my kids with cellphones or let them use the internet. Its just a matter of talking to your child on what is wrong and what is right. every single thing has its pros and cons. Just talk to them that if they use it the wrong way it will be taken away from them. cellphones are important for communication and the internet too ise useful for information.
• India
28 Aug 08
Acceptable in one way. Cellphone is important for communication. I don't think Internet will be much useful for School going Kids. I am just talking about kids below 18.
@shav9292 (928)
• India
28 Aug 08
yes probably,but what will happen cannot be changed so it is better to avoid such things and make sure the child is warned and set a limit to such things. before giving me anything my dad always use to warn me he used to go on about things that might happen bad.he used to annoy me to a point where i would get that little fear deep down where i would never cross the limits. so basically what i am trying to say is that within limits everything is alright but too much is always too bad. have a nice day. :)
• India
28 Aug 08
Ya. But we can't say that everyone will understand their limits. Better to avoid problems I guess.
• Philippines
28 Aug 08
Yeah, I would give to my child. It's a matter of discipline, responsible parenthood. It will not lead to addiction if there is moderation, intervention by the parent or an elder. Values is very important, if the child doesn't have proper values there's a possibility of having "too much of something" and as a cliche goes is bad enough. Everything begins at home.. me, I'm a text messaging addict but, I set limits. So I would my child all of those,.... In the future of course..
• India
28 Aug 08
Its actually not possible to monitor our kids every time. Kids will learn to do a lot only when they are with their friends. Can we go behind them to monitor. Of Course not everyone are like this. There are few exceptions like this.