Getting a cell phone is a rite of passage for many teenagers these days. But while most teens have no problem convincing their parents to get them one, others struggle to make their case. Fortunately, there are several ways you can increase your chances of getting that sweet new smartphone you’ve been eyeing up. In this article, we will give you some tips on how to convince your parents to get you a cell phone and leave you feeling happy about it instead of regretful.
How To Convince Your Parents To Get You A Phone?
Set Goals And Make A Plan
Before you even start the conversation with your parents, you need to set goals for yourself and make a plan for how things are going to happen. Goals will keep you focused and help you avoid getting off-track or off-topic in the argument. Make sure you know exactly why you want a phone and what you want to use it for. If you’re looking to use a phone to communicate with friends, make sure you have other alternatives in place (like Facebook messenger or texting) so that you don’t fall back on the old “I need it to communicate with my friends” argument if they press you further. Make sure you know why a phone is necessary and that you’re not asking just because every other kid in your class has one.
Show How You’ll Benefit The Family
There is a lot of debate in the parenting world about when kids should get a cell phone. Some people think it’s best to start them off early and give them a phone in 8th or 9th grade, but others might want to wait until they’re in high school. Whatever the case, you’ll probably have to wait until you’re at least a pre-teen before you get your hands on a phone. The best way to convince your parents you should have a phone is to show how you’ll benefit the family. Offer to babysit your little brothers or sisters while your parents are out, do some yard work around the house, or perform other small tasks around the house to show your parents that you are responsible and capable.
Help Out Around The House
Speaking of helping around the house, you can use this to your advantage when it comes to getting a phone. If you’re putting in work to help your parents around the house, you’re proving that you are responsible enough to have a phone. Plus, you’re giving your parents a sense of security knowing that you have a way to get in touch with them in an emergency. Whether you’re mowing the lawn, taking out the trash, or washing your parent’s car, your parents will appreciate your help and be more willing to get you a phone.
Show How Much You Care About The Safety
When you’re trying to convince your parents to get you a phone, it’s important to show that you care about your safety and the safety of the people around you. A phone can help keep you safe in many different ways: If you are riding in a car with friends, a phone can be a great way to break up an argument before it turns dangerous. If you’re walking alone at night, a phone can be used to let someone know where you are and when you expect to get home. If you’re meeting up with a stranger for something like tutoring, a phone can be used to call your parents and let them know you are safe.
Make Your Case With Reason And Logic
You might have to wait until you’re a little older to get a phone, but that doesn’t mean you can’t start changing your habits now. If you’re currently in middle school, start making changes now so that when you are ready for a phone, you’ve put in enough effort to make your parents take notice. Here are a few ways you can start preparing now: If you’re always asking to borrow your parent’s phone and chewing through their data, you probably should not have your own phone. Start using a landline whenever you can and try to curb your phone addiction. If you rely on texting or social media to communicate with your friends, you might want to consider switching to in-person communication. The best way to learn good communication skills is to practice them in person and not behind a computer screen.
Why Are You Really Wanting A Phone?
Gps Location Device
A smartphone is essentially a GPS tracker that you can carry around with you. This allows you to keep track of friends and family, and even your pets. Some apps allow you to share your GPS location with others, while others allow you to view the location of your loved ones. Not only can you see where they are, but you can also communicate with them using voice or text messages. This comes in handy if someone is going on a long car journey.
Emergency Communication Device
The ability to communicate in an emergency situation is one of the most important features of a smartphone. Emergency services such as the police, fire department, or medical personnel can use your phone’s unique identifier to determine your exact location. This is a great feature to have if you get caught up in an accident or medical emergency, or if you find yourself in an unsafe situation. If you don’t feel comfortable giving out your phone number, you can set your phone to allow emergency communication only. This feature is particularly helpful if you are traveling in a foreign country.
Navigator
A global Positioning System (GPS) is a satellite navigation system that allows you to determine your location in relation to 16 satellites in space. Although GPS tracking on a smartphone is generally more accurate than standalone GPS tracking devices, having a dedicated device is much more convenient. Unfortunately, the GPS function on a smartphone only works when the phone is connected to the internet. This makes it impossible to track your route if you are out of cellular range. Fortunately, there are ways to track your trip without an internet connection. These include downloading maps and directions to your phone beforehand or buying a dedicated GPS device that hooks up to your phone.
Show Your Parents The Benefits Of Getting A Phone
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Once you’ve established why you want a phone, it’s time to show your parents the benefits of getting you one.
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In order to do this, you’ll need to gather some statistics that show how beneficial they really are, especially if your parents are worried about the cost.
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For example, did you know that 90% of car accidents happen within five miles of home? Or that only 60% of teens know their address and phone number backward and forwards? Having a phone means you will always be able to call for help in an emergency situation.
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This can be particularly helpful if you have any allergies and need an immunization pen in the event of an emergency.
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Another great benefit of having a phone is that it helps reduce the risk of cyberbullying.
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Studies have shown that having a phone increases your chances of having a more positive experience online.
Talk About Safety And Consequences
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When you’ve outlined the benefits of getting a phone, it’s time to talk about the safety concerns your parents may have.
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You may want a phone to stay in touch with your friends, but your parents want you to stay safe while doing so.
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The best way to do this is to be honest with your parents, even if you don’t want to hear the things they have to say.
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Talk to them about dangers such as cyberbullying, sexting, and inappropriate content on social media that can lead to your phone being taken away.
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You may want to consider having a contract with your parents that outlines your responsibilities with the phone.
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Make sure you are clear about the consequences of not meeting these obligations. Your parents may want you to have a parent present when you are using social media, so make sure you ask them if this is something you can do.
Establish A Good Relationship With Your Parents
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Finally, before you even bring up the topic of a phone with your parents, it’s important to establish a good relationship with them.
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This way, when you ask for a phone, your parents will be more likely to consider your request. You can do this by being respectful of your parents and their rules, studying hard, and keeping a tidy room.
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Being on good terms with your parents will make them more willing to consider your request, even if they aren’t so keen on the idea in the first place.
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If they know you are sincere in your efforts to make your relationship better, they are less likely to dismiss your request for a phone. Instead, they will be more likely to give you a fair chance.
Summing up
Whatever phone you end up getting, remember that it will be something you will have for many years to come. This means that you should think about your needs now as well as in a few years’ time. Most importantly, remember that a phone is not a toy. It is a device designed for communication, and it can be used to help you stay safe and reach out to others.
