Anonymous
05/24/2026 13:38
Subject: Re: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 wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:This idea that if you don’t give your kid a phone you will block out all the “bad” things, whatever that means to you, is naive and black and white thinking. It’s a cop out.
Parent your kid.
Also the idea that an ipad is fine but a phone is not is very misguided
Two of my nieces were not allowed cell phones but had ipads in their early teen/middle school years (different parents)
Both got involved with all sorts of predatory adults online.
Their parents thought that they were being safer, since one girl was "just" involved in writing groups for young teens/preteens and the other was "just" looking at anime fandom (I know, "safe" anime and fan fiction onlune groups, riiight)
Reminds me of the parents on here who brag about their kids having no social media but allow unlimited YouTube and have no clue that it’s the same content.
DP. This is the reason I plan to hold as long as possible. My rising HS freshmen with ADHD, have no interest in social media, but is really into games and youtube at home (and sneaking at school with his chrome).
Not giving him phone hope lessen the distraction at school.
Yes, that is basically the same (ipad, laptop, phone), but phone is clearly the most convenient. Kid scroll while waiting the bus, while using the toilet, while eating lunch, while recess, while between classes and etc.
This is not a brag, more just a thought on how to help my kid.
Anonymous
05/24/2026 13:36
Subject: Current 8th grader doesn't have a cell phone yet. Is it really necessary for kids to have a cell phone in high school?
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.
Come back in 8 years and let us know how this holds up.
Anonymous
05/24/2026 12:45
Subject: 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 wrote:Anonymous wrote: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.
That’s nice, but you have a kindergartener at a private school. This is the FCPS forum. My kids are 15 and 18 and in FCPS. I’ll ignore most of your post since you don’t know yet, but my kids played sports for school and outside of school and needed certain apps that needed to be accessed on a cell for the coach and team. If your kid does that at a certain age, they will need a smartphone. Mine needed them for sports at school and outside of school. The team sports requiring apps started in middle school.
+1
Anonymous
05/24/2026 12:19
Subject: Current 8th grader doesn't have a cell phone yet. Is it really necessary for kids to have a cell phone in high school?
^ AND they both have jobs, which use various apps for communication and scheduling.
Anonymous
05/24/2026 12:17
Subject: 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 wrote: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.
That’s nice, but you have a kindergartener at a private school. This is the FCPS forum. My kids are 15 and 18 and in FCPS. I’ll ignore most of your post since you don’t know yet, but my kids played sports for school and outside of school and needed certain apps that needed to be accessed on a cell for the coach and team. If your kid does that at a certain age, they will need a smartphone. Mine needed them for sports at school and outside of school. The team sports requiring apps started in middle school.
Anonymous
05/23/2026 16:52
Subject: Re: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 wrote:Anonymous wrote:This idea that if you don’t give your kid a phone you will block out all the “bad” things, whatever that means to you, is naive and black and white thinking. It’s a cop out.
Parent your kid.
Also the idea that an ipad is fine but a phone is not is very misguided
Two of my nieces were not allowed cell phones but had ipads in their early teen/middle school years (different parents)
Both got involved with all sorts of predatory adults online.
Their parents thought that they were being safer, since one girl was "just" involved in writing groups for young teens/preteens and the other was "just" looking at anime fandom (I know, "safe" anime and fan fiction onlune groups, riiight)
Reminds me of the parents on here who brag about their kids having no social media but allow unlimited YouTube and have no clue that it’s the same content.