Current 8th grader doesn't have a cell phone yet. Is it really necessary for kids to have a cell phone in high school?

[Anonymous]

Current 8th grader doesn't have a cell phone yet. Is it really necessary for kids to have a cell phone in high school?

If necessary, from which grade would you recommend?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Current 8th grader doesn't have a cell phone yet. Is it really necessary for kids to have a cell phone in high school?

If necessary, from which grade would you recommend?

How does your child communicate with friends usually? Boy or girl? Your child should have a cell phone before starting 9th.

[Anonymous]

We are getting our 8th grader a phone for high school. It is less about his needing it for friends but more to be able to be communicate with us more easily. He is going to have clubs, sports practice, and want to hang out with friends. And he needs to learn how to handle a phone and social media responsibly.

There are different options you can choose, ones with more restrictions. We are getting him a less expensive iPhone to tie into the rest of our family devices.

[Anonymous]

My children got phones when they started driving last year. They were some of the last but not the very last in their friend group.

The did have watches starting in 8th grade and they had tablets from 6th.

[Anonymous]

My eighth grader doesn’t have a phone, but I’m planning to get him one for high school. Mostly because the schedule is flexible and I need a way of getting in touch with him when he’s out and about doing afterschool activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My children got phones when they started driving last year. They were some of the last but not the very last in their friend group.

The did have watches starting in 8th grade and they had tablets from 6th.

+1 We are watches until driving. It can do all the communication stuff without the social media garbage.

[Anonymous]

Thank you all for your responses.

[Anonymous]

They don't need a phone until college. Stay strong!

[Anonymous]

In high school, really all the outside of school activities will have active social media. Often it's run by students. No, I do not think it would be the end of the world if your child didn't see it but they'd notice and there is often kid-led team building things on here that are at least somewhat important. What is the theme of the meet so what am I wearing. Etc.

One of my kid's coaches communicates with the kids using the remind app. Not just niceties. Critical team info.

I am sure there is more of this that my kid doesn't tell me or I don't know about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They don't need a phone until college. Stay strong!

Why college?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They don't need a phone until college. Stay strong!

Why college?

Because they're 18 years old and adults.

[Anonymous]

I plan on getting my kid a dumb phone once they can drive.

No need beforehand. Being a social outcast builds characrter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I plan on getting my kid a dumb phone once they can drive.

No need beforehand. Being a social outcast builds characrter.

I'm a long way away from this, but we've signed a pledge not to give our kindergartener a phone or social media access the entire time she's at her Catholic K-8.

When we get to high school the most I would do would be a dumbphone or whatever equivalent to a LightPhone exists at that time. Apparently it includes a camera, driving directions, texting, and voice, which is all that my kids need. Full-functionality smartphones are a huge distraction and will only drag down my child's grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They don't need a phone until college. Stay strong!

That’s just ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

The high school coaches my kids have been involved with communicate through apps and texts. And they don’t want parent involvement. I don’t know what they’d do with a kid who didn’t have a phone.

And curious how your kids make plans with friends if they don’t have a phone in high school.