teenager and cell phones?

[Ima saver]

I had already figured out that it was your ex's mom. I would not let your son get the phone. He has already gone thru 3 of them. I had to work and save up the entire amount to buy my first car, pay for the insurance and gasoline. I don't have a cell phone, I think they are a waste of money. I hate to seen teens driving and talking on their cell phones. too dangerous!

[Adambnn]

I understand you. It is not about whether to buy a cell phone or not. It is virtually about the priority of those things to be bought.
Your priority about that is the car or insurance or the licence. But in a teenager's mind, maybe to purchase a cell phone is the first thing to do with his first salary.
Concentrate to the target, do your best, and finally achieve it. I think it is good for a teenager to gain such experience. And as he grow up, he will understand what should be done first and sometimes should delay the pleasure.

[LuckyRobin]

I don't think this is about a phone at all. This is about boundaries. You need to set them with the child's grandmother and stick to them. And tell your son just because grandma says something doesn't mean he gets it. The phone advice here is great, but it is the boundaries that you really need to deal with or this kind of thing will keep on happening and you will be the "bad" guy every time. But it's your kid and your rules.

[shopgirl]

You are right to make him pay for and work for things. I went to private school growing up and saw everyone else getting new cars and everything paid for by their parents. I am glad that my parents didn't just give me things "because everyone else's parents bought them one!" I feel like I have much more of a work ethic and more of a sense of financial smarts than most of my friends.

I think the average teen abuses cell phones too much. Once they start driving, it is good to have a phone on hand for emergencies. grandma needs to understand and respect your wishes as his father.