Cellphone for the 8-12 year old crowd?

Whaddya think... Love the idea or is 8 just TOO YOUNG to have a cellphone??

The Firefly phone, created by a father in Illinois and being launched nationwide in months to come, is smaller than other cell phones, allowing it to fit more easily in a kid's hand. It has simpler buttons, including ones that speed dial "Mom" or "Dad" — and gives parents more control by giving them password-protected access for programming the numbers the phone can dial and calls it can receive. The Firefly phone also has no games or capabilities for text messaging, a popular function with teens that some parents dislike because it can get expensive — and distracting. (click here for more)

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there is no reason to have them. when someone who is 8 years old is away from home they should always be accompanied by an adult so they dont get abducted or something and the adult can have the phone. it would be a great idea if youre an irresponsible parent.

its just another way for parents to not raise there children and just blow them off and say heres a phone call me if something goes wrong and get pissed/sad when their kids do stupid things or get kidnapped and blame it on everyone else but themselves

I sense debate ...

While I agree with 8 year olds needing adult supervision, If my future 8 year old is heading across the street to spend the night with his bestest bud - then knowing Momma/Daddy are a push of a button away could be a great comfort. And think of how utterly cool he'll feel when he's standing in line for some ride at an amusement park and his phone goes off with Dad saying "You guys want Sprite or Lemonade when you get off?" Its a toy... but a toy used to teach responsibility.... I'd program the Grammas/Grampas and Aunts/Uncles (with cautions and limits) to promote extended family unity too .

But then again.... 8 years from now he'll probably be able to tap the com-link embedded in his earlobe and do the same ....

8 yrs old and a cell phone thats kinda ridiculous, i didnt get one til i was 18, the only good thing is that parents can keep tabs on their kids, but i have an idea, if you're 8 you should be with your parents,
this phone will sell. lots of spoiled kids out there

Cell phones and service are getting cheaper, most of us have had a service provider so long that the providers will just give us free phones to add a line to our plan. My parents have had Sprint for more than 7 years and they offered a free phone added onto the current account for about $10 a month. This extra phone is not really used, but my sister does get to learn about our society hands-on and learn responsibility with keeping up with the phone... Seems a lot like one of those neo-pets since she has to charge it and take care of it.

When it really gets down to it, sure, let the kids have phones, it does not make a difference either way!

Originally Posted by calum1

....i didnt get one til i was 18....

I was 34

Note parental controls on what numbers can call IN or OUT! So we're not talking about programming your 11 year old's best girlfriend here... unless you wanna? ('scuse my opinion here.... ) or even that her firends can call her. Its a well controlled environment ...

I just worry about the radiation - I don't even like to hold my phone up to my ear (I use speaker phone)
I don't think I would want my lil nephew having a phone, just for health reasons.....
Maybe it would be good for emergencies or if they were going out, but I don't think its necessary to take with them everywhere, everyday....
thats just my 2 cents worth.....

I guess I disagree for a lot of the reason's already stated. I do like the phone itself though. That would be nice to say give to my 13 year old daughter when she's out of town on a school activity such as a basketball game. I know there are times I've had to sit out front of the school for over an hour because the bus came in late.

Now if she would have had that phone, she could have called us say 15 minutes before she came into town.

As it stands, she uses most of her other friends phones now to do the same thing...saving me the cost of a new phone, and adding another line to my account.

As for an eight year old having a cell phone....I have to totally disagree with that.

We have told our daughter when she starts High School she'll get one...and then it will be used for emergency purposes only.

the kids'll find a way to hack it

I actually think this is a good idea, im not saying an 8 year old should be left alone with just a cell phone, but its just a precaution.

Originally Posted by vin$anity

the kids'll find a way to hack it

LOL...you can count on that

Are you all trying to tell me that I'm gonna spoil my kid silly?? ...

Is it just the pregnant hormones, or have other people gotten all mushy about those "On-Star" commercials where the lil kid calls for help because he/she can push one button....? I don't see this as a constant communication tool for the 8 or the 12 year old - I see it as an emergency and comfort measure! maybe a lot of the comfort is for ME!

(and waiting in the parking lot for parents to show sucks too... I have the kids using up my free minutes all the time calling with time estimations!)

Originally Posted by jeaniesing

Are you all trying to tell me that I'm gonna spoil my kid silly?? ...

Your so good at reading my mind....guess what I was going to post????....

The funny part.... when my boy-to-be's 3 year old cousin was let loose in the baby aisle to pick a toy for his cousin-to-be? He chose a toy cellphone.... .... I think I'll have LOTS of help spoiling this child (actually... about 2/3 of the church congregation volunteered when the Pastor brought it up a few weeks ago)....

My son plays with one of my old cell phones (a old Star Tac)...he absolutely loves it.