Mom just got you an iPhone for Christmas!

[manic_depressive13]

How incredibly disrespectful. Instead of talking to the child and instilling values in him they write out a contract peppered with threats, accusations and contradictions. Why do peopled expect their teenager to respect them when they themselves refuse to show them basic courtesy?

 

[munx13]

Why buy a smartphone if it can't be used for any of the stuff that smartphones are made for? If I were the kid I'd just say "nope.avi" and keep using my old phone.

 

[Tiamattt]

Kids these days probably care a lot more about phones then I do but at 13 I think I would've been much happier with a new consoles + games. Granted she might think of a long list of rules for that as well, but at least she saves some money out of it.

 

[Servbot 24]

Some of these rules make sense like "Turn it off, silence it, put it away in public. Especially in a restaurant, at the movies, or while speaking with another human being. You are not a rude person; do not allow the iPhone to change that." Although the first sentence is dumb; why do I have to turn off my phone if I'm just walking down the street? The rest of that rule is good though. One of my biggest pet peeves is when people don't turn off their phone at the movies, or at least silence it! At the same time, some of the other rules are a little ridiculous like "censoring yourself." That's what being with one's friends is about. I'm not comfortable around their parents, I'm comfortable with them. I can say whatever the hell I want.

Overall, these rules are hit and miss. Some of them are things that someone should be instilled with since they're kids like respect for others and a sense of adventure and curiosity. All of these things come with living, they don't revolve around a damn phone.

Also, I may not be the biggest Apple fan, but iPhones are what's part of this generation. Just like you wanted a Game Boy Color like the ones your friends had as a kid instead of the standard black-and-white Game Boy--and I was one of the kids who got the black and white one--kids nowadays want the iPhone and not the Galaxy or whatever phones exist nowadays. Granted, it's more expensive than what you used to get when you were a child, but if my kid deserves it and it's what they want, then why not? Although I would really hope that if my kid wanted the Game Boy Color and I gave them the b&w one, they wouldn't throw a hissy fit and shit-talk me on their twitter like I see some brats do on the Internet nowadays.

 

[Lethos]

So that's what it would be like to have overly controlling parents? Good Lord that sounds horrible.
Suddenly a lot more appreciative of all the liberties my parents let me have when I was growing up.

 

[mechashiva77]

I don't know, some of these rules are reasonable, but some of it just seems ridiculous and reeks of perceived cultural superiority. Like a grown up version of the people who believe that "All the popular things are getting worse and worse! Only the classics and non-popular genres will remain good!" Especially the whole "Take zillions of photos and don't download only pop music". Let kids like what they like. A person's taste in music has no bearing on their intelligence. You can listen to whatever "boring, mainstream, pop music" you want and still be able to discuss quantum physics the next. Taking a whole bunch of photos doesn't necessarily equate to a bad thing either. If people are allowed to not follow the norm, then other people should be allowed to if they so choose.

 

[ohnoitsabear]

Am I the only one here that has a problem with a 13 year old being given a smartphone?

No, you're not. I can see why you would want to give your kid a regular cell phone (even though I still think that would be unnecessary, I won't argue), but a smart phone is just ludicrous. Basically, they're giving the kid a super expensive unneeded toy, and if a 13 year old wants that, they can save up and pay for at least part of it. Of course, I've seen way too many kids around that age (and older, I might add) that have their faces buried in their high-tech devices when they should be interacting with other people.

 

[TheJazzyH]

So that's what it would be like to have overly controlling parents? Good Lord that sounds horrible.
Suddenly a lot more appreciative of all the liberties my parents let me have when I was growing up.

I feel the same way here. I was ecstatic to receive an iPod Touch at age 13 from my dad, and he never set any rules around it. Aside from him buying additional accessories for me, I even had to learn how to care for it on my own. Despite that, I've used this iPod responsibly for nearly three years now with no repairs needed or issues from my parents or my school (I do take it to school with me). In fact, I would have only broken one or two of the more sensible rules in this mom's contract if I was her son (although my 3rd gen iPod doesn't have a camera anyway). My parents aren't perfect, as they do other things I resent, but they definitely taught me to treasure my possessions well through their own treatment of things.

It's easy to make rules, but teaching the values and virtues behind those rules can be much harder. That's where this mom falls short, and where my parents, among others, deserve some credit.

 

[XeonForce]

If someone was ignorant enough to buy their kid an iPhone I would expect no less ignorance in making a list of contrived and demeaning rules.

 

[Girl With One Eye]

I agree, though I would add that while taking and keeping the photos for your self is fine. For the love of all things dear and fluffy then don't upload every single one to twitter/facebook/bloger/etc...

Anyway I wouldn't want an iPhone even if it were free.

Off topic.
Hey hows it going? It's been a while. You have a good Christmas and new year?

Yeah I just wondered why they considered it a bad thing to have nice pictures to look back on. That doesn't include duck face pictures taken in the bathroom

I had a really nice Christmas and new year thanks! Got to see some family I haven't seen in a while. How was yours?

 

[omega 616]

Thanks mum but you got me a new phone not 6 months ago....

As for the rules, keep the phone... I would much rather have a £10 phone with a green screen, no camera and the only game is snake but be able to call it mine.

I can kind of understand these rules, you want the kid to maintain your upbringing and not pick up bad habits but this is too dictatorship-ey to me

 

[Xaio30]

I... I agree with all the rules.
The kid is 13, and his mother still has the job of raising him.
These rules in no way over the top or crazy, and actually has an explanation attached to each one.

The kid will eventually grow older and be free to do as he wishes, but with these lessons in mind.

 

[Cazza]

He has my sympathy.
He could always return it(if he hasn't opened it yet), use the money to buy a cheaper and better phone and then use the leftover money on himself or on a gift for his mom.
And the best part is, this way you void all her rules, since they only applied to the iphone.

"1. It is my phone. I bought it. I pay for it. I am loaning it to you. Aren't I the greatest?"

You would just up and sell something that isn't yours?


OT Most of the rules seem common sense. Like don't get overly attached to your phone and don't say anything over phone or text you won't say in person. In fact in context of giving it to a 13yr old I would probably make restrictions like this and slowly unrestrict as the kid got older.

 

[Madmanonfire]

These rules in no way over the top or crazy, and actually has an explanation attached to each one.

I take it you didn't read rules 3, 4, 5, 9, 11, or 14?

OT: The woman is stupid. She claims that her son owns the phone and contradicts that right away in rule 1. She thinks memories are eternal. She doesn't have a concept of what a smartphone is (maybe not even a cellphone) and is apparently willing to let her son get in situations more dangerous than they should be just so that he can "feel safe in leaving the phone at home". Bad parenting in action.

 

[Vigormortis]

I find this absolutely hilarious. One minute the escapist cries foul at any parent that fucks up with their children and technology and say "It's the parents fault for not monitoring their children!" and then we get a parent who is taking an active and responsible role in their child's connection with technology and you say she's making "too many rules and restrictions."

I think it's great what that mom is doing, she's offering her child (A THIRTEEN year old. Not a sixteen year old, not an eighteen year old, THIRTEEN) an amazing piece of technology but also requiring him to use it responsibily. How many parents let their kids use xboxes, internet, and iphones without ever ONCE paying attention to the fact that their children could harm themselves, their parents, or others with that technology, intentionally or otherwise and then are surprised when their kids do it?

I think this mom is smart, she knows her child is still a child and will fuck up, she doesn't go to the default "my baby would never do a thing like that."

Also...it's...what...a 500 dollar phone? that she has to CONTINUE to pay for, for at least the next 3 years and possibly longer so you can bet your ass it's a loaner, and if he breaks it's only fair he pay to fix it.

Exactly. Even more hilarious is the fact that so many here are taking every single "rule" listed as literal. They're missing the meaning behind some. (also shows a general lack of maturity, in terms of a responsibility mindset)

Makes me wonder if many of them even read the "rules" in their entirety...

Frankly? I'd have been glad to have had some of those "rules" when I was a kid. At least, I'd be now. I might've hated it back then, but now I'd realize there's some wise ideals in there.