HOT TOPIC: MALIA FINALLY HAS ONE. HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG FOR A CELL PHONE?
President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama have strict rules when it comes to technology. The couple hold firm to their “no television on school nights” rule, and remain true to the “computer use is for academic advancement” regulation. Although the Obamas do not believe that a child’s world should revolve around electronics, they did opt to give Malia,13, a cell phone when she was 12 years old.
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Intended for emergencies only, the cell phone came with several ordinances including no mobile use during the week and no Facebook access until 17. Malia’s phone is also monitored by the Secret Service, and she didn’t gain access to it until after hearing Michelle’s lecture on safety.
As Mrs Obama explains on ABC’s Live with Kelly: “A cellphone is a lot of responsibility. As I told Malia, ‘your friends can now contact you without me knowing…. I don’t know if you have fools for friends or whether they’re nutty. That means you have to have a heightened level of responsibility when it comes to this stuff.’”
While some parents talk with their children about the dangers of Internet use, few discuss the perils that come with having a cell phone. Do you think that such precaution is necessary? Should parents talk with kids about potential dangers surrounding cell phone use? And, how young is too young to own a mobile device?
31 Comments to “HOT TOPIC: MALIA FINALLY HAS ONE. HOW YOUNG IS TOO YOUNG FOR A CELL PHONE?”
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The time in which to give your child a cell phone is a touchy, contreversial subject. Every parent will tell you why and when and have an idea of when they want to give their child one, HOWEVER, my daughter is 3 and goes to PRESCHOOL. Her classmate/daycare mate has a cell phone and I think that’s absolutely ridiculous. I get it, we are in a different time and era and technology and needs are technically changing everyday, but 3 years old? I say No, actually HELL NAW~! LOL.
Oh I forgot to mention: these are prepaid phones; not those with calling plans (like ours). They weren’t getting on a plan until they had a job anyway…
The responsibility is the only apprehension for giving kids a phone. Our sons had their phones at ages 8 and 11 – after constant nagging from them. The first thing they wanted to do was upload games, not actually use the phone for calling. These were new gadgets to them and they were with their peers who had phones. Well, after a year, our youngest left the phone everywhere: the floor, the counter, battery dead. Our oldest, now a teen, lost his phone last fall and we have yet to replace it. He doesn’t mind, because really – he wasn’t calling anyone anyway. I’d say the first thing to teach kids, besides responsibility and saftey with a cell phone is this: your home number. It doesn’t matter if they have a phone if the battery is dead and all their numbers (incl. home) are stored in it and they don’t know the number! You’d be surprised how many kids are walking around without knowing that basic information. “it’s in the phone…”
The other things, like no photos of inappropriate things and texting restrictions have to be sincerely trusted. But there is a parental app which monitors (GPS) locations and phone activity. I’d suggest that for any kid between 10-14. Readers, let’s be real parental supervision only goes so far. Even if you trust your kids, it’s the others out there you have to protect them from.
Oh I forgot to mention: these are prepaid phones; not those with calling plans (like ours). They weren’t getting on a plan until they had a job anyway…
I got my first cell phone at 10. I wanted one really bad, and I was really responsible for my age, so my parents brought me one for Christmas. My parents have always trusted me, so they never had to read text messages and stuff like that. And they never had a problem with me overusing it. It didn’t affect my school work or anything either.
I got my first cell phone when I was about 12 and started staying after school for different activities. My mom didn’t talk to me about dangers but I think it’s wise because sexting is running rampant these days smh
Mrs. Obama is a responsible parent. And, I think parents do need to have a talk with kids whenever they gain a new privilege because they need to know how to handle it responsibly and not become a victim of the privilege. With all the restrictions of the Secret Service and her parents, I doubt Malia will have the opportunity to abuse this privilege. She seems like a sweet, mild mannered and well raised young lady. I think the Obamas have a lot to be proud of with their girls.
I like ALL of their rules, I like that they emphasize education and family over TV! I think 13 or 14 is a good age for a cell. I plan to use their rules when I have kids .
I got my 1st cell phone when I brought it myself & I was an adult. Being a single mom, my son had his 1st cell, a tracphone, at 8 when he said his father would not let him use his phone to call me. I’ve upgraded his cell since but he has never gave me a reason to take it away. My friend has 2 daughters, 13 & 15, their usage is ridiculous! The 13yr old is using it as a hookup with older men & the 15yr old has a monthly bill over $100, yet he doesn’t see a reason to take their phones away.
I don’t think there should be any age limit on a mobile phone (or other internet acc. like itouch, gameboy, kindle) if it is being monitered by security. I’m 14 and I can’t remember a time when I haven’t had a mobile or credit card. I’m aware that everything I do on the internet (including this conversation) is monitered by my parents security.
There are ways I could get around it but why? I and my brothers are aware that one stupid action on our part can get us dead or worse. There are people in this world that make their living snatching children and the easiest access is via the internet.
Frankly I don’t see why it’s anyones business if Obama’a daughters have a mobile phone, the knowledge that there is one only gives some bored psyco another reason to hack. The Secret Service is not infallible, plus the same way that my parents security can use GPS to find me (or my phone) anywhere on this planet, so can someone else to find Obama’s kids.
The internet is not always about whos talking to who, but other information. If it’s out there someone can find it.
you’re one smart 14 year old!
13 is an appropriate age.
I got my first cell phone in 10th grade bc I was a cheerleader and needed to call my parents to come pick me up after games. I don’t see the need for kids age 12 and below to have cell phones. Who are they talking to that they can’t call on the house phone? And where are they going at that age without some type of adult supervision that they would need a cell phone? My sister got my nephew a cell phone when he was 7. Why??? But, to each is own. My kids won’t have one til maybe middle school.
I think the Obama’s are ridiculously strict! But maybe it’s for the girls’ security being that dad is the POTUS. I didn’t get a cellphone until I got to high school. It was necessary so that I could contact someone when I finished with after school activities and such. I also don’t think I’ll get one for my kids until its necessary.
My nephew is 10. he had his first cellphone when he was 6 for emergencies mainly (single parent). So i guess that it depends (he has no internet access, as he only need the phone to make calls to close relatives, mainly his mother. It is also helpful when we want to get hold of him when he is at a friend’s house).
I am 20 and got my first cell phone when I was 14 or 15. I dont remember because the cell phone had previously been used as our home phone and the line’s kind of blurred as to when it was turned over to me.
I always walked home from the bus stop just fine without one. If I went to a friend’s house, my dad could call my friend’s parents to find me. If I was outside all he had to yell was my name and “Time to come home!” out the door. Not to mention the understood “When the streetlights come on…”
People think that kids today need cell phones at 8,9,10 years old but they really don’t.
Didn’t wanna read no more after seeing the secret service, I guess there’s zero privacy when your the president’s daughter
Right. Poor kid, when she gets a crush on a boy or something, no secrets! No texting “xoxo’s” and hearts lol. Must be tough to be a teenager of the President.
I believe each parent knows the right time for there own kid! Personally I didn’t have one until I graduated high school and that was in ’94(showing my age). I know 10 year olds who are more responsible then 14 year olds so like I said it depends on what the parent knows about their own child!
MY DAUGHTER IS 12, HER DAD WON’T EVEN ENTERTAIN THE IDEA. HE SAYS SHE WITH EITHER OF US AT ANY GIVEN TIME SHE ISN’T IN SCHOOL, WHY DOES SHE NEED A CELLPHONE……I THINK HE IS WAY TOO OVER PROTECTIVE, HE DOESN’T CARE.
I didn’t have a cell phone until I was in high school. I think I was about 15 or 16. Kids these days get them way earlier than I would suggest. My cousin who is 6 and just finished kindergarten has a cell phone which I think is ridiculous and a waste of money. I think 13 to 15 is a great age to start thinking about giving a responsible and mature teenager a cell phone.
How long ago was that though? I’m 24 and I also didn’t have a cell phone until High School but that was almost 10 years ago. People should remember that times are changing and technology is evolving. For these new generation kids, cell phones are almost mandatory now.
I got my 1st cell phone when i was like 12. But back then there wasn’t no internet, only game was snake. So there wasn’t much i could do w/ it. but my nephew is 9 & he has a cell phone. He got a flip phone last year and he would call me every night to tell me goodnight while i was away at school lol. he didn’t “abuse” his privilege of using the phone. But now he has an iphone (his dad’s old phone) & he got a little out of hand w/ the games/apps & got it taken away. but he’s smart w/ it when it comes to calling for emergencies. One day my mom was late for picking him up from school, he thought he was to walk home. The teachers, of course, let him walked him when he has never walked home alone. He pulled out his phone & called my mom and sister. The teachers got mad he had a phone at school lol
I have mixed feelings on the situation! My nephew is 12 he’ll be 13 in December and his life is that cell phone! My neice his sister is 7 will be 8 in July and she has one as well and I think she’s to little! I’m find with kids not having a cell until their 14 just Misunderstood’s opinion!
well my son is 10 and he been asking for a cell phone ever since he was 7 years old and Im not giving in until he is 13…
Oh please, there are kids in the 3rd grade with cell phones.
My sis and I were straight “A” students and we kept the TV on. We were seldom rewarded for our grades and allowances were sporadic but we excelled anyway because it was our ticket out of a bad situation. Later, I worked with kids who did not own cell phones but got in hot water when doing land line phone interviews with adults (males). In one case the student was asked to give her home address. Real life is just as dangerous as online life but when you’re surrounded by the Secret Service…
I agree. Everyone has a phone these day and as long as its monitored I think its fine.
Isn’t she turning 14. Perfect age to me . I see nothing wrong with a kid having a phone . As long as you monitor them . Some kids need phones as early as 9. Maybe walkin home from the school bus. Something like that . You never know !
This is such a grey area as far age is concern. I believe that in this day and age as soon as the child knows a few important numbers such as mommy and daddy and school, then I would say a child may have a cellphone around age 7. But ONLY for emergencies and it shouldn’t be a high-tech phone either like an iphone for instance. My boyfriend gave his daughter an iphone when she was 7 and let her put the video chat tango on her phone. To me that is an expensive phone for a child to have and in order to have that phone she needs to show some type of responsibilty for it.
I got one when i was 13 because i walked home from school and I was alone 3 hours after. I think that it depends on the child as far as age and responsibility, but I wouldnt give a child a smart phone, a regular cell phone will do. It wouldn’t be as tragic if it gets lost/stolen either.