The relentless pursuit of technology
Relentless. Unwavering. Persistent. Totally and completely focused on the goal. I can’t find a word strong enough that describes my son’s dedication to convincing me he needs an IPod Touch for his 8th birthday.
His quest started about six months ago. It was a casual request that was denied with the standard explanation, “It’s too expensive, you’re too young, and why do you need one?” Of course his response was “But EVERYONE has one Mom AND I have that much money in my bank account. Plus I can text!” (I’ve let him text his cousins and grandparents from my phone.) And, yes, he’s had a savings account since he was a month old.
I have to hand it to him, every Sunday he goes through the newspaper and pulls out all the flyers that have any type of phone/MP3 player featured. He shows me the different models, which one he wants and how much money we can save if we buy it now at place A, B, or C. He also keeps the flyer in his room or backpack until the new one comes out the following Sunday.
I have nothing against technology, in fact I’m all about checking out the newest smart phone, tablet or 3-D flat screen. I just don’t think an eight year old needs to be that connected. If he’s not with me or at home, he’s with my husband, teachers, or my parents, who does he need to call or text? I must admit he’s so persuasive that I have wavered on occasion and I suspect he even sicced his aunt (my sister) into talking me into letting him get “a phone.” Her timing was just too coincidental and her reasoning was so compelling I almost caved – again. But I always fall back to “When you’re 10 you can have one.”
Why 10 and not 8? At 10 he’ll be heading into middle school and I’m sure the “everyone has one” will be closer to the truth, he’ll be more mature and responsible, and there will be a need based on his involvement with after school activities, etc. Do your kids have their own smart phone? What age is the right age and why?
Laura Feit is the mother of two. She lives in Walworth County and works full time for Gazlo.com. Laura is a community blogger and her opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
May 25, 2011 at 1:26 p.m.
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My 10 yr old 4th grader at Northside Intermediate does not have even a tracfone. She doesn't have activities after school to need it, and even when I do feel she is old enough and responsibile enough, she will get the kind of phone I can restrict to the incoming and outgoing numbers I will allow, and it will be turned into mom and dad at bedtime or possibly sooner depending on homework, etc.
May 25, 2011 at 12:23 p.m.
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My middle schooler does not have a cell phone of any kind. He won't have one until he is in high school and is able to pay for it himself. The simple truth is, he doesn't need one and I don't think he's responsible enough to have a mobile toy that expensive yet.
May 25, 2011 at 11:15 a.m.
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Wouldn't he need a service plan as well? Purchasing the smart phone or tablet is easy - if that's how he'd like to spend his savings - but the monthly service plans can make them a bit of a money pit.
May 25, 2011 at 10:49 a.m.
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I agree he doesn't need a phone at this age. When I was a kid we had Walkmans and Gameboys. An ipod touch is the modern day equivilant of those I suppose. Unfortunately these days it is geared toward adults as well. So it also comes with internet access (if you have wifi) and unlimited app possibilities that may not be suitable for an 8 year old. I allow my 7 year old nephew to play connect 4 and other age appropriate games on my ipod touch with supervision (mostly because I paid a lot for it and one good drop will end it's life). I think the deal breaker for me would be the fact that and ipod touch is expensive and not built to sustain the normal wear and tear children put on things. I know some adults that have broken them multiple times. It doesn't take much to crack the screen. It would be extremely unfortunate for him to spend his own money on something this extravagant, only to have it get easily broken.
May 25, 2011 at 9:22 a.m.
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Eight years old is WAAAAAAAY too young. Give into this and he will know he has you where he wants you.
Wait until middle school for the phone and high school for the PDA, etc.
Been there, done that.
May 25, 2011 at 8:46 a.m.
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Our oldest got a TracFone in middle school and ONLY because of the need to call home once after-school activities (study, sports practice) were finished.
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That phone was then handed down to the next middle school child when the oldest went to high school. The oldest was then put on our plan.
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Same thing with social networking. Had some issues with Myspace early on (age 13) and we canceled their account. Let them re-create another account when they were a little more mature.
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Although it is the "rave", stand your ground! There is a big difference between "need" and "want"! You certainly didn't get everything you wanted when you were growing up, did you? Nor should he.
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Have to give him credit though, sounds like he is doing his homework and tapping all available resources to plead his case!
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Good luck!
May 25, 2011 at 8:22 a.m.
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Give him a $20 TracFone with a month of time and several hundred minutes on it and text him incessantly. Wake him up in the morning by calling him, text-nag him about his chores, his clothes, his hygiene, and his schedule. Text him every time you'd normally talk to him. Text him when supper is ready, when it's time to go to bed, text him to ask where he's going and whom he'll be with. Text him from dawn to dusk until he complains about it.
Then tell him you're only preparing him for adulthood and ask him if he understands why people who are required to carry cell phones or PDAs for their jobs call them "leashes" instead of "cool".
May 24, 2011 at 8:46 p.m.
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No, don't cave. I must admit the skills possessed to acquire such a desirable device are quite savvy.
May 24, 2011 at 3:19 p.m.
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CrunchMunch- you obviously do not have an Ipod touch... :)
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