Help my DD ran up a £240 mobile phone bill

Pee

Tiddlywinks wrote: »

Slightly off topic, sorry, but I have to point out that having a phone does NOT keep children safe and not having a phone does not endanger them - this is a dangerous misconception.

Kids need to know how to look after themselves and how to avoid situations where they need to phone for help not see it as a safety net that makes them bolder than they should be.

What did us oldies do to keep safe before the invention of the mobile:rolleyes:?

Tiddly

There weren't less dangers, but they were less well reported, meaning that people felt safer and didn't hear about children going missing etc. A mobile phone keeps you safe if it means you can call from a friend's house to get a lift home. In the old days I'm sure you would have walked home, and I'm sure it would have been ok, but I'm only 99.9% sure and some parents might not like to take that risk. I agree that at 14 she will be pretty aware of risks around her. Plus there were more phone boxes about then and maybe you lived somewhere where any adult would be someone you vaguely knew and would help you if need be, as I did.

red_devil

surely a mf is just another worry though! Will they lose it, will it be pinched?

juliescot

red_devil wrote: »

There is a difference between buying gifts for people and going crazy about it people, just expect more and more then! Think back to the kind of gifts the average person might have got at Christmas years ago. Think what they get now and then think what your grandchildren will need to keep them satisfied! Horrendous.

Can you imagine a child being satisfied with a satsuma in their stocking these days! They would laugh. Says it all. People are also frightened their gifts look to small. You have already spent a fortune but oh it dosent look very much will have to get some other things. How you can say this dosent ring a bell at all or there is no truth in what i say is silly.

Daft people go on forums list all their presents and say is that enough! I would have been ashamed of my mother if she couldnt make up her own mind and had to discuss it with all and sundry. Whatever happened to people being able to make their own minds up!:rolleyes:

Also if her kids have got everything what do other people buy them then?
The expectations today are huge for parents. There is no doubt about that!

So what is your answer to all of this?

I did ask that a while ago.

juliescot

red_devil wrote: »

surely a mf is just another worry though! Will they lose it, will it be pinched?

Perhaps less of a worry than not being able to contact a child or them being able to phone you should something happen.

(I am assuming mf here is some sort of shorthand for mobile phone?)

piratefairy

I'm glad that you have decided to sort it out in a way that seems fair, but will also make her learn the value of not doing it again. I am still mad about the fact that my sister managed to rack up a £1500 bill on hers (honest to god), and all that happened was she got a PAYG instead.

red_devil

juliescot wrote: »

Perhaps less of a worry than not being able to contact a child or them being able to phone you should something happen.


sake, how do you think people managed before mobile phones?

juliescot

red_devil wrote: »

juliescot wrote: »

Perhaps less of a worry than not being able to contact a child or them being able to phone you should something happen.


sake, how do you think people managed before mobile phones?

In lots of ways, however your point was that having a mobile phone would be a concern and I was putting in into the perspective of whether parents might worry more about their child's well-being more than the phone.

Tiddlywinks

Pee wrote: »

There weren't less dangers, but they were less well reported, meaning that people felt safer and didn't hear about children going missing etc. A mobile phone keeps you safe if it means you can call from a friend's house to get a lift home............

Gawd, I'm not THAT old - we had the papers and the telly (and, as an example, the Moors murders so we were probably hyper worried TBH) BUT we also had parental control - you know, where we were asked where we were going and we had tabs kept on us.

A mobile phone does not keep you safe - it is purely a communication device not a magical cloak that protects you from all that life can throw at you - my issue is that describing a phone as "keeping you safe" gives a dangerous false sense of security. Better to prevent the situation happening in the first place than have to make an "emergency call" after things get out of hand.

Tiddly

oystercatcher

Mobile phones don't keep you safe.....
My son was mugged recently. They took his phone (a very cheap one) keys and wallet. The police said they always take the phones, not to use but so you can't call for help until they have escaped..... they switched it off too so the mobile company couldn't locate it.

Fortunately my son is OK. Although we are angry about losing money all that matters is that he is OK.

OP you have a lovely son I hope he got a big hug for offering his own money.

niceday999

red_devil wrote: »

Paul McCartney had pots of money but he didnt go overboard on his kids. Wanted to teach them the value of money!

I should feel too embarrassed to say my child was spoilt. Spolit with love yes but gadgets and gizmos and designer clothes and shoes and having to have the latest games system all the time etc yuk.

You just make a rod for your own back! What a sad statement i love buying them everything. Ever thought of donating some of this years christmas presents to children who dont have anything!

I give a lot of money to charity and i do volunteer work also when i have time. AS someone said the kids want all these gadgets and things now not when they are 40 and can afford to buy them for themselves. My kids are not at all spoilt brats as i too would be embarassed if they they were....
they dont have designer clothes etc ..neither do i ...but everyone needs a treat or 2 or why bother.........