Just tossing out a 'hmm what do you think' to folks out there who 've experience with this. My boys are 14 and 11. We live in a dual community of about 17,000 ppl with a bridge between. There is no public transportation here. The older goes to a High School and the younger goes to an elementary school. They are about 6-8 blocks from the school I work at. Our home is on the other side of the river.
My boys are involved in a few different activities and our schedules are different every single day. At Christmas, I finally relented and got my son a cell phone so he could phone for emergencies. Well technically I gave him MY cell phone and I got a new zero dollar 3 year contract phone. He was literally THE LAST of his group to have one, by almost a year. My younger is one of about 4 kids in his class without one.
We probably are mid middle class with a few of their friends a bit lower on the financial scale, but most of them higher. Most of the students in my class have them as well and they are the same age as my older.
I relented because one too many times he'd been stranded...practice done early and ppl left before we got there...missed bus etc.
His contract is 'about' $40 a month including unlimited text and he shares 300 min of talk each month with me.
Almost none of his friends, or my students have $ responsibility for part or all of their phone. I have him pay $20 a month, which is challenging itself as he does not have a 'job' but we make it work. I think it's important he understand that things like that cost $ and have a play in the finances.
He's responsible and doesn't have it on in class (they get taken away) and doesn't text instead of socializing. (so far so good)
Of course, everyone's situation is different in terms of where you live, how old your kids are, your budget line, your activities etc.
So what are your thoughts on this matter?
Do they get one? why/why not?
Do they pay part? all? none?
curious
