Pink Amulet Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 We call them mobile phones here so forgive me... So, a year five student (11 years old) at a sydney primary (elementary) school was found to be downloading graphic pornography on to his mobile phone and showing his class mates! This has obviously outraged teachers and parents, and they feel their should be a ban on mobile phones at school.... A news station here, Ten, reported "there is no way to block internet capabilities..." to prevent this mode of pornogrpahy streaming and *specialists* are claiming parent regulation should be of utmost importance to prevent this inappropriate mobile conduct. Ten reported that most parents are not even aware of the capabilities of most mobile phones and their children are far more technologically competent than they... My question in all these. Why the hell does an eleven year old have a picture phone with internet capabilites?! I understand that some parents like to give their children these security of a mobile phone, but this is an unlikely use. Are their really eleven year olds walking around with thousand dollar phones, texting each other and downloading pornography!? So parents, what do you think?
TheSilentType Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 Wow....I didn't have a cell phone till I was in college. I swear, kids are growing up too fast these days! 11 is just way too young for a phone. And since when could you download porn with a cell phone!!! Seriously, I need to change mine now j/k
littlekitty Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 The trouble is, that unless phones are different, more expensive (highly), or behind in OZ; then the average phone now has internet capabilities and photo capabilities. There aren't that many models now that come with out wap capabilities to my knowledge - although someone may well tell me I'm wrong - but I think it's fairly standard. Therefore they aren't likely to be overtly expensive phones, just an average model? That said, there really ought to be a way to restrict usage, or turn off the capability. Parents are responsible of course, but it would be useful to have more input over how the wap is used. Over here in the UK we have a problem with 'Happy Slapping': http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Happy_slapping Bascially bullies (children/teenagers) filming themselves hurting/abusing people on their mobiles. I guess the only thing to do is to find such a basic model that it has no wap or photo capabilities, and can therefore only be used for keeping in touch with friends/family. It must be tough on parents though... no doubt all the kids want latest models, just like clothes and trainers. I'm not saying it's right... just must be tough.
Author Pink Amulet Posted August 22, 2006 Author Posted August 22, 2006 I am so glad I had a mobile-free childhood.
bluechocolate Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 Really, this is just an updated version of finding porn mags under an older brothers bed or a saucy book in your mother's book collection. I remember when I was 11 years old a classmate brought a book to school, Xavier Hollander's "The Happy Hooker". A bunch of us used to read passages aloud to each other at lunch time. No doubt teachers & parents would have been horrified! I see kids younger than 11 with mobile phones all the time. The parents should have the boy on a basic plan or pay as you go, with a spend limit per month. Downloading porn would cost a lot of money & he'd use his phone allowance up in no time. If an emergency arises he can still dial triple zero even if there is no credit on the phone.
Asafan Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 11 is too damn young to have a cell phone/mobile phone. It is just wrong. It is not a toy. It is supposed to be a tool for adults. If a parent wants to give a cell phone to a child it should be for emergencies and to keep tabs on the kid with a pay-as-you go type plan. My 7 year old has already asked for one and I just laughed and told him he wasn't getting one until he was at least 16 and it would be restricted.
blind_otter Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 11 is too damn young to have a cell phone/mobile phone. It is just wrong. It is not a toy. It is supposed to be a tool for adults. If a parent wants to give a cell phone to a child it should be for emergencies and to keep tabs on the kid with a pay-as-you go type plan. My 7 year old has already asked for one and I just laughed and told him he wasn't getting one until he was at least 16 and it would be restricted. Word. Ideally you know, a kid who is too young to drive wouldn't need a cell phone. I saw a kid who looked no older than 10 or 11 (but he may have just been a very small teenager, I dunno) was in the video store chatting up a friend on his mobile while his Dad looked for movies. It was so surreal. Usually those positions are reversed.
Moose Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 Asafan is right on one thing, use pay as you go for the young ones. AND, only let them have the cheapy $50.00 throw aways. They can't take pictures, and they can't download anything off the web. But no, 11 is not too young. Both of my girls have pay as you go cell phones, and pre paid credit cards. One is 8 and the other is 10. Before you judge, the pre paid credit cards are part of our reward system as well as money management training purposes. It seems that whenever they have cold hard cash, all they want to do is hit the first store in sight. The cards aren't as tempting to them for some reason. The cell phones are for mine and Mrs. Moose's security. We got the kind that has GS Positioning, and they've been trained to activate them should they get nabbed, or lost. People have to remember, most of what's wrong with our young stem directly from their parents.
superconductor Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 Am I the only grown-up on the planet that doesn't have one of these things?? I don't get it; why oh why would I want anyone, at any time, to be able to get in touch with me no matter what I'm doing??
blind_otter Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 I got my first cellphone in college. Now I hate cellphones and don't want to own one, ever again. But I'm not a grown up. I'm an infantile gay male trapped in a woman's body.
Asafan Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 But no, 11 is not too young. Both of my girls have pay as you go cell phones, and pre paid credit cards. One is 8 and the other is 10. Before you judge, the pre paid credit cards are part of our reward system as well as money management training purposes. It seems that whenever they have cold hard cash, all they want to do is hit the first store in sight. The cards aren't as tempting to them for some reason. The cell phones are for mine and Mrs. Moose's security. We got the kind that has GS Positioning, and they've been trained to activate them should they get nabbed, or lost. Both of those ideas are very good, in fact, the one I highlighted is brilliant. My wife will LOVE that idea and I may actually do this myself. For training/instructive/reward purposes sure I could see using them along with pre-paid credit cards; again, tool for adults. I was referring to those who just randomly, blindly give their young kids unlimited cellphones.
Moose Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 I was referring to those who just randomly, blindly give their young kids unlimited cellphones.Yeah, what smart parents we have now and days.....huh?
FredTravels Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 I have three kids and they all have had cells for about two years. They are 9, 12, and 14. THe reason they "need" them is that I am divorced and they are all involved in all sorts of activities--brownies, sports, after school, etc. and a lot of times picking them up is a challenge and plans seem to change. Also, after 9-11 when all the phone lines were jammed as well as the cell lines, texting was a better method of communication. I live in an area that is ripe for the next hit. With that said, the whole issue is about the parents. They know that it is a privilege not a right and I check the bill each month--too many megabites downloaded, they need to explain, too long of a call, they need to explain, too many messages...you get the picture. So I do not have an issue with them and abuse. It is the same with the older ones' laptops--I randomly and routinely check them--they know that if they are caught with somethign inappropriate, they lose it! Here in the US, there are some new phones (drawing a blank on the name) specifically for kids--they only have a limited memory and can only dial out the nmbers the parents program in--and 911 (our emergency number). Incoming calls can only be from preprogrammed numbers as well. The problem I see with that is what if there is an emergency and the parents are calling from a phone not in the list--or if a police officer calls or something.
Sassy Posted August 22, 2006 Posted August 22, 2006 I have seen more little kids with cells than ever in my life. My daughter cheers and most of the girls have one. Our daughter ask all the time to get one but I say no. I do not agree with this. What does a 7 year old need a cell for? I will never understand that. I was at a football game last Friday and a little girl that my daughter knows had a ipod . WTF is going on ! Is it that parents can't spend quality time with the kids so they give them gifts to replace time lost for their guilt.
Author Pink Amulet Posted August 23, 2006 Author Posted August 23, 2006 We are all safe right? We managed to get through our childhoods without one? Why can't kids just be kids for goodness sake!!!!!!
Outcast Posted August 23, 2006 Posted August 23, 2006 Am I the only grown-up on the planet that doesn't have one of these things?? I don't get it; why oh why would I want anyone, at any time, to be able to get in touch with me no matter what I'm doing?? No. I don't have one. However there have been times when I was inadvertently held up and was going to inconvenience someone by being late and I wasn't near a pay phone. Because of the proliferation of cels, it seems, the payphone is going the way of the dodo. The cell phones are for mine and Mrs. Moose's security. We got the kind that has GS Positioning, and they've been trained to activate them should they get nabbed, or lost. If I had kids, they'd all have cels for this very reason. We are all safe right? We managed to get through our childhoods without one? Why can't kids just be kids for goodness sake!!!!!! Because there's a lot more nutjobs, and because today kids use the phones to keep in touch with their friends where we'd stay on the home phone until mom yelled, and because there were plenty of times when we got home late because we were delayed and scared our folks to death and that doesn't have to happen anymore.
HokeyReligions Posted August 23, 2006 Posted August 23, 2006 There are phones designed for children under 18 that have limited capabilities. But they are fairly new on the market. Its for parents mostly so they can keep track of their kids and I think they can also program in the numbers they need and limit the calls made - like no calls to sex lines or long-distance or only to certain long distance numbers. I think that will become more popular and widespread. Had I that option for my kids that is the route I would take. I like the idea of a child having a phone on them for emergencies and also they have GPS capabilities so they can be tracked if necessary.
Sassy Posted August 23, 2006 Posted August 23, 2006 We are all safe right? We managed to get through our childhoods without one? Why can't kids just be kids for goodness sake!!!!!! Totally agree with you on that Pink! There is alot we didn't have that kids do now adays.
tinktronik Posted August 23, 2006 Posted August 23, 2006 My 7 y/o was given a cell by his Dad , mostly b/c he goes back and forth between Dad and I across state lines and so he can reach family whenever he wants . This thing drives me insane . It is the thing me and my ex bicker about the most , he wants me to be responsible if it gets broken , but I am to allow the 7 y/o to have it and do as he wishes with it . A 7 y/o? He's also been told that I am not allowed to use it or take it from him , but take it away I have .The third time I had to replace the phone was it , no more , it lives on top of the fridge .If he wants to call someone he can sit in a chair and call then it goes back onto the fridge .It also does not ring when were out doing something together .We got calls all day from family members that would call and then call and grill me as to why the 7 y/o was not anwsering his phone .Good Lord , 13 or 14 maybe , but 7?
Craig Posted August 23, 2006 Posted August 23, 2006 Cell phones can and do provide an increase in security and safety for kids and parents so they're a good thing and like rock and roll, here to stay. If a child is old enough to use a land line (and call 911) then they are old enough to have some type of access to a cell phone. Porn has always been available in some form for inquiring young minds to sneek a peek at so it isn't the fault of the cell phone that some kids might use their intelligence to figure out how to get it that way. Not getting your kid a cell phone can be a source of future conflict if all their friends have them and there is no good reason not to have one. Come on folks the kids use them to text and talk to each other and not having one is like not having the latest version of socially acceptable socks within the group they run in. It's a kid thing, give them the phone already. I think similar discussions took place when it became easy to get land line phone extensions in ones house.
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