<p>I think this is why schools send text messages when they want to reach all those on campus quickly (eg security threat or imminent danger), instead of email/web.</p>
<p>S2 and I had this phone discussion a few weeks ago when he was home for the High Holidays. Said he didn’t really need an iPhone/et al. He doesn’t text a lot and just wants the phone to be utilitarian. </p>
<p>Now, I am sure he’d find plenty of uses for a nice data phone, but at this point, he is satisfied with what he has.</p>
<p>We have been known to offer “cost-sharing” for luxury items (and in our house, this counts as one). We’ll pay up to X, but the rest comes out of said kids’ pocket. This tends to send my kids scurrying off to check reviews to see if the expensive item is worth the $$ they’d have to come up with themselves. What usually happens is that instead of cost-sharing, they’re perfectly happy with the less expensive route. In one case, S2 got used skis and poles for $30, and size 15 ski boots for $60. They had barely been used. Paid for themselves by not having to rent the equipment (not to mention it is hard to find rental size 15 ANYTHING – skates, bowling shoes, ski boots…)</p>
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<p>My DS is so uncool that I got him an iPhone because I figured he needed all the help he could get :D</p>
<p>We have unlimited texting, I have internet access/email on my phone - It is NOT a “smart” phone. Stupid phones can receive email and access the internet.</p>
<p>My son felt he needed an Android or Iphone. I held him off for a few months telling him I didn’t mind the cost of the phone, it was the monthly data plan that bothered me. He did finally get an Android.</p>
<p>ihs76 - you win parent and comment of the week.</p>
<p>Our Verizon plan was just up for renewal. I ordered the new iphones…easy Chanukah gift since I can’t think of anything else the boys need or want. Paying for their data packages will be part of the gift. (seriously, last year when I asked S2 what he would like for Chanukah and his 21st birthday, he texted back that he could really use some warm socks, and that his stretchy gloves from old navy had a hole in them–could he have both?)</p>
<p>^That’s funny. My son is like that. Doesn’t really want much of anything. I keep trying to buy him an iPad at every holiday and birthday and he’s not interested. The screen on his Droid is broken to pieces and I have offered to buy him a new phone and he shrugs and says it’s fine. He said he would consider accepting an iPhone for Christmas. He tends to eschew things that people buy for the coolness factor.</p>
<p>I have an iPhone through my work, and it’s a necessity as far as I’m concerned. I pay for iPhones for my kids and also my mother (cheaper for her to come onto my account than for her to open a separate one). It’s pretty much become a necessity these days, IMO. I like that my kids have full range to the internet at any time (such as when going someplace and needing directions) and access to email in addition to texts. My kids started out with cell phones (the old Motorola Razrs) at age 13 and then I think they got the iPhones when they turned 16.</p>
<p>It is important that young people enter the job market up to date on technology. As a headhunter, I run across a surprising number of candidates who are not tech savvy enough for the current job market. I find that clients expect me to be able to reach candidates immediately by text or email and they expect emails to be answered immediately because they expect people to be “smart phone” available.</p>
<p>Yes. I agree with you; the norm these days, IMO, is that people are textable and access email continuously throughout that day. Whether it’s an iPhone or one of the other types of smartphones offering that capacity seems less important.</p>
<p>I’ve used Apple products for 25 years when they were the opposite of trendy, & I admit it makes me grit my teeth when it is implied that to buy a quality product, that works & is fun to use , is following a fad.
I also have had iPods since the original shuffle so while I didn’t jump to get an iPhone when they first came out, I was looking forward to upgrading when it was time.
My oldest didn’t have a cellphone till senior year in college but I think that smartphones are one of those things that would be hard to give up once you are used to it.</p>
<p>I got my son a cellphone (actually my husband, the step father did) when he was either in the 8th or 9th grade (I forget which exactly.) This was so he could call or text us about pick up times, etc. He had a cheap old, dinky cell phone throughout all high school. Not a blackberry, not an iphone. I even offered to upgrade him a couple of times, but he was always “nah, I’m good”. (A very low maintenance kid. no doubt). Finally when he turned 18, right before he left for college, I pretty much forced the smartphone (Iphone) on him. I wanted him to have the “at his fingertips” convenience of apps when he was halfway across the country…the navigation features, the banking support features etc. Turns out the only reason he had resisted was a fear he’d lose his precious cellphone number, and after so many years, he didn’t want to lose the numbr, start over. Once he realized he could have an iphone and keep his same # he was much more amenable. Once he got the iphone , he seemed to love it. But hes still not just completely over the moon with using its enhanced features. But did I mention I love the fact that through Life360 I can sort of keep up with him 24/7, and have a general sense of his movement? Mom stalking son by smartphones…film at 11.</p>
<p>There are actually a few prepaid options now that offer a smartphone</p>
<p>-T-Mobile has a $30/month plan with 100 minutes and unlimited text/4G web
-Virgin Mobile has a $35/month plan with 300 minutes and unlimited text/3G web
-Boost Mobile has a $55/month plan with unlimited minutes, texting and web</p>
<p>And you can get an Android smartphone with all of these plans (T-Mobile has far better coverage than Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile).</p>
<p>So if you can’t pay for an iPhone and the $80 monthly bill, there are other options out there (though you probably won’t be as “cool” as people with iPhones)</p>
<p>No, and his not having one has never been a problem. In fact, I have offered, and he doesn’t want one - he thinks the people walking around playing with their Iphones are weirdos.</p>
<p>He has a job and is a student.</p>