Did you give your kids cellphones or I-Pods?
By ag_abscruzmd
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
United States
April 10, 2007 4:25pm CST
A lot of schools are complaining about the distractions caused by cellphones and i-pods. I just want to know if you did or did not give your kids either or both of them. Why or why not? There must be an important reason. Do you think these things have a bad impact on their studies and priorities?
4 people like this
6 responses
@mgmagana (3618)
• United States
11 Apr 07
well i gave my son a prepaid cell phone because there have been times where i was unable to pick him up due to emergencies and i let him know to go home with a family friend. but i tell him not to use it at school, and no one calls him on it, he leaves it in his backpack, because it's just for school and nothing else. I am going to buy my son an ipod shuffle for his 8th birthday, i don't think it'll effect his priorities because he knows education is first and sports are second, and he doesn't do anything for us to question that otherwise there will be consequences.
3 people like this
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
• United States
11 Apr 07
As long as you trust your kid to be responsible enough, then there's no reason why he should not be allowed to have a cellphone and/or an ipod. I believe in the same thing. Thanks for the response!
2 people like this
@tess1960 (2385)
• United States
10 Apr 07
Once my daughter had a drivers license we got her a beeper. We never bought or daughters cell-phones or i-pods. They both have cell phones now, but no i-pods. I got her a beeper for my convenience, so I could track her down easier if needed or no if she was not where she was suppose to be. Several of her friends had them too. It also helped prevent phone ringing during the night on weekends.
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
• United States
10 Apr 07
That's also my worry. Not providing with a means of communication especially nowadays could be extremely difficult. The beeper, then, is more of a convenience. Cellphones, I think, are fine if they are mostly used for their right function and as long as they don't get in the way of the students' studies. Thanks for the response!
2 people like this
@superchook (1786)
• Australia
12 Apr 07
My 11 year old son has a mobile, but I don't let him take it to school. It is only really used for emergency and safety. Like when he goes for a bike ride somewhere. I feel safer knowing that he can contact me if there is a problem or I can contact him if needed. He has told me about one kid in his class had his mobile phone taken away because he kept getting text messages from someone and it was distracting the class.
1 person likes this
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
• United States
12 Apr 07
That's the problem sometimes. Irresponsible use of one's cellphone. The kids don't use it for what it's intended for by their parents. That's why I believe that if the parents trust their kids enough that they will use their cellphones wisely, then it's fine (also when their kids can concentrate on their studies, and not get distracted by the cellphone). Thanks for the response!
@cdparazo (5765)
• Philippines
11 Apr 07
It's summer here and I have a 5-year old daughter. I will be away mostly this summer because of my job and I gave my daughter a secondhand cellphone. She is having gymnastics lessons everyday so she is also mostly not at home, so I give her a cellphone so that I could call her anytime that I feel calling to check on her or so that she could call me also anytime she feels like talking to me. I am a single parent and I dont' want my daughter to feel that I am not always there for her because I am busy. I let her know that she could call me anytime and anywhere.
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
• United States
11 Apr 07
I can see in your case that your daughter really needs the cellphone. You don't have much of a choice. You still try to be the best mom for her, and I know that it's very difficult to handle everything especially now that you're a single mom. Thanks for the response!
1 person likes this
@whyaskq (7523)
• Singapore
12 Apr 07
Cellphones or I-pods can also be addictive. If the kids get addicted, they will also be on the phone or messaging or that their ears will always have an extra pair of antennas :P
I may give a cellphone but not an i-pod. Cellphone so that I can contact him when needed. I seyld e no reason why the child should need an i-pod. They are supposed to be studying in the day and doing their homework at night. Where could they find the time to listen to i-pods unless they sacrificed their schoolwork time.
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
• United States
12 Apr 07
Yes, I agree with your response. I have noticed among the kids these days a short attention span. They also find it difficult to concentrate on many things all at once, so an ipod would just occupy their thoughts and activities more than their studies. I also agree that if parents would deem it necessary for their kids to have cellphones, then that would mean that they trust their kids to be responsible enough. Thanks for the response!
@registerandearn (18)
• Pakistan
11 Apr 07
well it depends on the situation like now a am bec.. and i don't have any kids but i do have a girlfriend so thats why i have given my cell phone to her . . . and she is ruining up my balance :((
2 people like this
@ag_abscruzmd (2283)
• United States
12 Apr 07
Well, there goes the disadvantage for you! Hehe. In my native country, we have prepaid cards, so you may have to give your cellphone to her, but then she will have to buy her own call minutes and text time whenever she needs to use the phone. Thanks for the response!
1 person likes this
