Cell Phones, convincing parents? Options

[asphyxiated_cata...]

I am trying to get my parents to let me have a cell phone, but they say I can't have one until I am 16 (I am almost 15) and can drive. I get really mad because when ever I approach them about it in a nice, professional way they are just like "you don't need one" and the argument is over. I am always using my friend's phone to call people because I DON'T HAVE ONE. And I tried explaining to my parents that my friends were getting mad at me because I was using their minutes and they just told me to give them a dollar for every call. So anyway here is my question: Do you guys have any ideas for ways I can convince my parents to let me get a cell phone, or reasons that I need one?

[*This Confession*]

Well i've had a cell phone since the 6th grade? O_o
Little odd,

Anyway I would bring up senarios.

What happens if your driving and you car breaks down somewhere? Like in the middle of no where do they expect you to just start walking and perhaps get picked up by some stranger?

Emergencies happen that could be a good reason to have a cell phone, thats why I had one in the first place.

[asphyxiated_cata...]

yeah I've tried the emergency senerio, and my dad said, "now how many emergencies are going to happen each year? One or less. Use your friend's cell phone." I was like aaaaaah. anymore ideas? anyone?

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

I've had a phone ever since 6th grade too. But that was 'cause I had to go to Flushing every Saturday for Hunter prep classes..
I still have a phone now 'cause I go into the city every other Saturday and M-F (in July only) in the summer by train.

You could join something like I did so that you have to travel far.

[deactivated]

lol, had one when i was in 2nd grade, but took it away.
but got it back in 6th, too.
i said that uh..
there were highschool bullies that go to our school and bully us and can us and stuff.
it worked for me. x]

[Serendipity]

try reading this; it might give you some ideas (;
good luck!

[RxCore]

i had a phone since 6th grade because i never knew how i was getting home afterschool. both my parents worked so i either got a ride, walked or waited an hour for my mom to get home. my parents wanted to keep tabs on me and how id get home. now i need it for cheer practice since sometimes we end early or late.

maybe you can think of a similar situation that you can use.

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

try reading this; it might give you some ideas (;
good luck!

That one's pretty good, but it says,

If you're not in Middle School or Junior High, DONT EVEN THINK ABOUT IT!! You will have absolutely no ground to stand on, and besides, you have no reason to get a cell phone.

[*mipadi*]

To be honest, I'm skeptical that kids in middle school, or even high school, really need a cell phone. They may want one, but wants and needs are different. I never had one in middle school or high school. I always arranged transportation ahead of time, let me parents know when I was coming home, and gave them the home phone numbers of my friends.

In fact, I didn't actually get a cell phone until college—and that was when I paid for it myself. Maybe that's the key: Cell phones are expensive, and it can be hard to justify the cost for someone who still lives at home and has use of their parents' landlines. Maybe if you try to collect some money and offer to pay for part (or even better, all) of it yourself, your parents will be more accepting to the idea.

Do your parents have cell phones? Because if they do—and they have a family plan—another line is only about $10 a month, which should be pretty affordable if you have a job, babysit, mow lawns, housesit, or something of that nature.

[*WHIMSICAL 0NE*]

I've had a cell phone since I was young. Simply because I'm a farm kid. I'm pretty sure my parents didn't want me to walk miles home after working. It comes in handy. Plus my mom has three cell phones, why? I don't know. She has a weird obsession with texting me and my brother (well when he was here)

They could always get you one of those dorky kid cell phones where you can only call mom, dad, and 911. Like the Firefly

[Animeloverhk93]

This is how i convinced my parents:
"MOMMMMM, DADDDD its about time that i have a cell phone"
"no"
"BUT MOMMMMM"
"NOOO"
"Hey, if i got raped while walking home, i'm gonnna blame you guys. thats why i need a cell phone"
"okay fine"

ahha no it wasn't that easy as i say it is but it was worth it. Just bring up things that are life threating that a cell phone comes in handy. And then talk about the prices. Try finding somthing cheaper.. thats what i'm doing. Well i hope you get a cell phone soon!

[pinayprincess]

lmao thats cool.. i should do that w/ my friends- a dollar per call lol.. but anyways yeah why not have one? i mean for emergencys too you know.... its not only for friends, but for family i mean if you need one to call friends theres always a HOME phone


[ wow i sounded like my mom!]

[BeautyInATragedy]

Wow I had a cell phone since I was in 5th grade. xD Well, I think you should sit down and talk to your parents about it. Tell them that you will make sure the bill won't be high, and that you'll partially pay for it? That might work.

[*WHIMSICAL 0NE*]

Yeah, there's so many different types of cell phone plans now. You could get one of them pay as you go, or prepaid, or even a family plan. So if they don't have cell phones you all could get a family plan then your phone's are free and you all share your minutes. That's what my mom got. So my mom, dad, brother, and I got our phones for free and my brother would alway steal our minutes, lol. Then if you have rollover minutes anyone can use them.

[julianamon]

Well first of all, why do you <b>need</b> a cellphone? You could always just go home and use your home phone.

But you could also try telling your parents that you live pretty far from your home, and if you ever get into trouble, you want to be ready.

[vn_cuti3]

haha kinda funny how i got my cell phone. i had the same problem as yours and they wouldn't let me get a cell phone no matter how hard i tried to convince them. so then one day i just play a little game with them. i went out with my friends without telling them when i'll be back or where i was going. so they waited until like really late at night and they were really worry. and when i got home they were like all up in my face asking questions i just simply tell them that's the reason why i need a cell phone to contact you guys. and then the next week i got my own cell phone. well i dunno if it would work with your parents but it worked with mine


p.s. i wasn't far away from home that night i was right next door with my best friend

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

Well first of all, why do you <b>need</b> a cellphone? You could always just go home and use your home phone.

Haha, there's a whole debate about that here..

[HakunaMatata]

Explain that you need it for emergencies and now that you're becoming more and more involved in school, it's just the most convenient way of communication. While it's always nice to have transportation set and prepared , use examples about the many times that you needed to call them or someone just to get home. Also, if they just want you to give them a dollar, then just say that you don't want to be a burden. And to top it all of, I'd get a pay-as-you-go phone to start off, so you gain some credibility and guarentee your parents that you won't use too many minutes.

[*yrrnotelekktric*]

^yeah, i say for emergencies.

[shinysparkle3]

tell them it would make you feel safer when you go out with your freinds and stuff because you would be able to reach them instantly and that you could always call for help.

[DarkImpressions]

Well yea Im in the same situatuion im 14 going on 15 and my mom wont get me one becuase she says i dont need one even though i do i sorta get tired of askinf poeple to hold their phone i shouldnt have to because its there phone but anyways she talking bout i cant get one till im 16,that is so gay by that time i can get me own because more than likely i will have a job

[think!IMAGINARIL...]

Explain that you need it for emergencies and now that you're becoming more and more involved in school, it's just the most convenient way of communication. While it's always nice to have transportation set and prepared , use examples about the many times that you needed to call them or someone just to get home. Also, if they just want you to give them a dollar, then just say that you don't want to be a burden. And to top it all of, I'd get a pay-as-you-go phone to start off, so you gain some credibility and guarentee your parents that you won't use too many minutes.

That's a good idea!

Am I the only one that didn't want a cellphone in the first place? My parents just gave me one because I have to travel far.. I never asked for one.

[asphyxiated_cata...]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I think I have convinced my dad to let me get one if I pay for the phone AND the pay-as-you-go thingy, but today i was driving we were going to eat and i had a friend in the car and i was using my mom's cell phone my friend was like, "Oh did you get a phone?" and my mom was like (EXTREMELY LOUDLY) "HAHA NO, SHE ISN'T GETTING A PHONE." I was just like darn. And my friend rolled her eyes. So Maybe my dad will let me secretly get one and we wont tell my mom until after I get it. lol.

[scottypottyboi]

lucky you id rather drive then have a cell anyday

[shortiiex]

how about get a family plan...that way you can keep in contact with them w/o paying

or get a pre-paid plan so, they don't have to worry about you overusing your minutes