Kids and Iphones (no offense to the younger folks)

[PoitNarf]

Why don't you worry about yourself? If some parent wants to buy their child an iPhone, that is none of your business.

Ah, but if they spoil the child and the child does not learn the true value of money then they start amassing debt and get loans they have no chance in paying off. Once the economy starts tanking as a result of this gross ignorance of fiscal responsibility, then everyone needs to start worrying about themselves. (Oh crap, I think it's already happening...)

I have no problem with parents buying their kids iPhones. I only have a problem with brats getting spoiled and not learning valuable economic lessons which then screw us all in the end.

 

[Love]

Personally, I would agree. Except for a few, like myself, I'd get tired of people buying it for looks and to be cool. I knew the differences between CDMA and GSM, what phones were the best, and the differences between PowerPC and Intel at the age of 7. In Grade 2, I taught my teacher how to use a Mac. So, like you say, Most, not all, kids would know absolutely nothing about the high technology in iPhone.

 

[dukebound85]

i always find it amusing how threads involving kids and apple products given to them resort to individuals:

1) claiming how spoiled they are by their parents while they had to pay for everything themselves while working x amt of jobs at the time
2) they dont appreciate it since they didnt have to buy it
3) dont understand the "technical" aspects of the product and how it is underused potential wise for their needs
4) just a lot of bickering in general


face it, the world isnt fair and we just have to deal with it

 

[gandalf18]

The moral issues over throwing a phone away...or even keeping it until the end of the school year...outnumber the benefits of these actions, in my own opinion. Yet, if the students/parents signed some sort of agreement, it seems to be fair play. However, this begs the question: what if a parent doesn't sign the agreement?

As for the searching and general invasion of privacy, I still believe that such policies are outrageous. As cliche as it may sound, I have nothing to hide. Yet, I still have a problem with someone going through my personal information (including contacts, texts, and pictures).

Furthermore, expelling a student based on achieving information from his/her phone should not be allowed. Although this is a much smaller scale, one can draw similarities to court cases in which illegally obtained evidence cannot be used against the defendant. Acting upon suspicion has proven unwise far too many times. I am not insisting that "busting the drug deal" was immoral. Rather, I suggest that the methods by which such information was gained was certainly questionable.

Spongey, I personally tend to agree with most of your points, except your last one. (And to answer your question, if a student or parent does not agree to the terms of the handbook, then the student will not be allowed to attend the school. Just one of those things.)

But, getting back to the original intent of this post, I view more people having the iPhone as helping Apple to increase their cash flow, and by extension, offering even better products down the road. Why stop at 10 million?

 

[iWantiPhone]

Spongey, I personally tend to agree with most of your points, except your last one. (And to answer your question, if a student or parent does not agree to the terms of the handbook, then the student will not be allowed to attend the school. Just one of those things.)

But, getting back to the original intent of this post, I view more people having the iPhone as helping Apple to increase their cash flow, and by extension, offering even better products down the road. Why stop at 10 million?

yes they will. they want your money, dont they?

 

[UltimateSyn]

I'm 13 and I know most everything about the iPhone, I'm a complete geek who loves Apple products.

I know you meant no offense, but take this into consideration, not all children, or teens, are clueless about technology. Personally, I'm up to date in all the newest technology, and I know what everything in the tech world is. I know all the iPhone's most compelling features, and am not just giddy because of the "OMG, TOUCHSCREEN, MOMMY PLEASE!!" factor of it. You can view some of my posts for confirmation.

Edit: A response to dukebound85's comment (this isn't one of my posts that I am referring to):

i always find it amusing how threads involving kids and apple products given to them resort to individuals:

1) claiming how spoiled they are by their parents while they had to pay for everything themselves while working x amt of jobs at the time
2) they dont appreciate it since they didnt have to buy it
3) dont understand the "technical" aspects of the product and how it is underused potential wise for their needs
4) just a lot of bickering in general


face it, the world isnt fair and we just have to deal with it

I deeply appreciate the iPod touch that I received for Christmas, and I understand all the technical aspects of products. I know all the features, parts, etc. about the devices I own and wish to own. I am, admittedly very upset with my Vista PC though, I really can't stand Windows, but I'm still glad I have a computer.

 

[Spongey817]

Spongey, I personally tend to agree with most of your points, except your last one. (And to answer your question, if a student or parent does not agree to the terms of the handbook, then the student will not be allowed to attend the school. Just one of those things.)

But, getting back to the original intent of this post, I view more people having the iPhone as helping Apple to increase their cash flow, and by extension, offering even better products down the road. Why stop at 10 million?

Haha, alright, it's been an interesting and enjoyable conversation. If you haven't noticed, I get very into the idea of students' rights.

But, (as you stated) let's get back to the original post...

 

[TheFam]

I'm 13 and I know most everything about the iPhone, I'm a complete geek who loves Apple products.

I know you meant no offense, but take this into consideration, not all children, or teens, are clueless about technology. Personally, I'm up to date in all the newest technology, and I know what everything in the tech world is. I know all the iPhone's most compelling features, and am not just giddy because of the "OMG, TOUCHSCREEN, MOMMY PLEASE!!" factor of it. You can view some of my posts for confirmation.

Again, I know people like you exist (thankfully) , and I appreciate the mature reply. People failed to comprehend what exactly I was trying to say. Being that this is a tech forum, I know an overwhelming percentage of people on here know what they're talking about. But what I was referring to was the more mainstream world, the world where people are easily influenced by what others have and value, and want it just for that reason.

Thanks, AceFernalld.

 

[nickXedge]

First off, let me say that I'm not totally shallow, wanting to buy phones only for their aesthetic appeal and status. I am getting one for the progressive technical aspects of the Iphone 3G, and being that I'm about to graduate college, will need most of its features...


With that being said, I wanted to ask the semi-older crowd (20+) if the Iphone 3G will lose some of its appeal with you, being that the 199/299 price will draw the younger crowd (most, not all) that thinks having the Iphone makes you cool, so to speak. They don't know crap about the device and its features, they just know it has a touchscreen and its a cool device. Does this devalue the Iphone in your eyes, not wanting to be associated in your graduate school classes or business meetings as having a "kiddie phone"?


Again, no offense to the younger folks that actually buy things for their functionality.......

Hahahaha. You start by saying you're not totally shallow, and then you go on to say that you're hesitating to buy a device, also that you state that you need for its functionality, because a younger audience might be able to get their hands on it because the price point is low.

You seriously might not get it because high school kids are also going to have it? That's the silliest thing I have ever heard. If "other adults" look at you in classes, or interviews or wherever the professional setting may have you, and say that you are immature or otherwise "childish" because you have what you think may become considered a "kiddie phone", then it sounds like they need to grow up. If you bring in a Toy Story lunchbox, that's a different story.

For reference, I am in the "semi-older crowd".

 

[Love]

I'm 13 and I know most everything about the iPhone, I'm a complete geek who loves Apple products.

I know you meant no offense, but take this into consideration, not all children, or teens, are clueless about technology. Personally, I'm up to date in all the newest technology, and I know what everything in the tech world is. I know all the iPhone's most compelling features, and am not just giddy because of the "OMG, TOUCHSCREEN, MOMMY PLEASE!!" factor of it. You can view some of my posts for confirmation.

Exactly: The OP considers kids completely clueless about technology. The kids who are are the ones that CONSTANTLY listen to Soulja Boy and are immature and stupid. A friend of mine came up to me, because she wanted a phone. "What phones are good I'm getting one on Saturday *jumps up and down*" I tell her a nice 3G Rogers wireless Samsung. It's an excellent phone (Samsung Sync, I really like it) and she comes to me the next day;

"OMG THOMAS!! IT'S NOT PRETTY ENOUGH!!!!!1one."

That is the kind of person who knows nothing about technology.
Within my reach, I try to eliminate this as much as possible. Don't think all kids are retards when it comes to technology. Many 13 yr olds here actually know stuff about technology so don't diss ALL of us.

 

[TheFam]

Hahahaha. You start by saying you're not totally shallow, and then you go on to say that you're hesitating to buy a device, also that you state that you need for its functionality, because a younger audience might be able to get their hands on it because the price point is low.

You seriously might not get it because high school kids are also going to have it? That's the silliest thing I have ever heard. If "other adults" look at you in classes, or interviews or wherever the professional setting may have you, and say that you are immature or otherwise "childish" because you have what you think may become considered a "kiddie phone", then it sounds like they need to grow up. If you bring in a Toy Story lunchbox, that's a different story.

For reference, I am in the "semi-older crowd".

*Sigh*...................

I am not hesitating to buy this phone at all, I went to pre-approve my credit today, and i will have one on the 11th.

I had said regardless of what they had said about what I had, I didnt care cause i loved the device and its capabilities.


Do people read and at least TRY to comprehend before lashing out blindly?!?

 

[Nicolecat]

Anything to grow the apple community...

I just sometimes feel like, at what point does it become whoring out a product...and it isn't the best anymore?

I mean, when it becomes so affordable that parents are buying their children one...it doesn't mean it isn't the best (just yet).

Just makes you wonder how far down the line will it fall into the "not top of the line" category.

...and I haven't even talked myself into purchasing one yet.

 

[UltimateSyn]

Again, I know people like you exist (thankfully) , and I appreciate the mature reply. People failed to comprehend what exactly I was trying to say. Being that this is a tech forum, I know an overwhelming percentage of people on here know what they're talking about. But what I was referring to was the more mainstream world, the world where people are easily influenced by what others have and value, and want it just for that reason.

Thanks, AceFernalld.

People like you are the ones that makes this forum a much better place. Nice and respectful, while acknowledging a posters presence. Some posters would give me a reply of "Well, you're 13, leave! You must know nothing!"

Exactly: The OP considers kids completely clueless about technology. The kids who are are the ones that CONSTANTLY listen to Soulja Boy and are immature and stupid. A friend of mine came up to me, because she wanted a phone. "What phones are good I'm getting one on Saturday *jumps up and down*" I tell her a nice 3G Rogers wireless Samsung. It's an excellent phone (Samsung Sync, I really like it) and she comes to me the next day;

"OMG THOMAS!! IT'S NOT PRETTY ENOUGH!!!!!1one."

That is the kind of person who knows nothing about technology.
Within my reach, I try to eliminate this as much as possible. Don't think all kids are retards when it comes to technology. Many 13 yr olds here actually know stuff about technology so don't diss ALL of us.

To your first point about the TS assuming all kids don't know about technology, I respectfully disagree. As you can see in his reply, he does know that people like me and you exist, and there are younger people with technical knowledge.

To everything else, I definitely agree with, I hate the people looking for a pretty phone while knowing nothing about capabilities, sucks to be them! They're stuck with that crap phone while I, once me and my mom's Sprint contract runs up, will hopefully be getting an iPhone (3rd gen at the time most likely).

Thanks both of you to your great replies.

All the best,
Austin

 

[TheFam]

First off, let me say that I'm not totally shallow, wanting to buy phones only for their aesthetic appeal and status. I am getting one for the progressive technical aspects of the Iphone 3G, and being that I'm about to graduate college, will need most of its features...


With that being said, I wanted to ask the semi-older crowd (20+) if the Iphone 3G will lose some of its appeal with you, being that the 199/299 price will draw the younger crowd (most, not all) that thinks having the Iphone makes you cool, so to speak. They don't know crap about the device and its features, they just know it has a touchscreen and its a cool device. Does this devalue the Iphone in your eyes, not wanting to be associated in your graduate school classes or business meetings as having a "kiddie phone"?


Again, no offense to the younger folks that actually buy things for their functionality.......

Reading is fundamental, people.

 

[Nicolecat]

I am so glad there are 13 year olds somewhere that appreciate the technology and the fact that they are so loved to have one. (this also shows that you respect your elders...very rare as well. Good rare, but rare none-the-less)

One day, you or someone like you will be writing programs that are cutting edge and used in current technology. I only hope they can be as cool-headed.

 

[mynameisrichard]

I usually don't agree with the age thing and how younger means just doing it just for kicks, but I'm pretty sure a lot of teens under 18 buy it for looks. I, myself, am not too much older. I'm 19, but I'm also a third year in college, and I have a full time job. Though I still live with my parents (I'm milking it because I'm never home anyway), I'm paying for my own car (put 8k down, thank you very much), insurance, food, credit card, blahblahblah, and now phone bill (I'm on a family plan with the fambam, so I just give my mom my portion of the bill). I love the iPhone for its looks, most definitely. That's one huge factor in why I'm buying it, but also as I'm getting older, I need the features the iPhone features. I'm constantly checking e-mail from classmates and teachers, and GPS is going to be a plus (even though I already have a GPS in the car). I feel as if a lot of these features won't be used by the younger crowd and it's a shame, but all in all, I feel as if they can get it (however it may be), the more power to them. So what if they have their parents buy them stuff. It still means that they're going to be buying an iPhone and contributing to Apple which will be contributing back to the economy. So either way, who cares what age you are. If you like it and can get it, DO IT!

 

[SmartIndianKid]

I'm 15 but I actually love my BB too much to get an iPhone. The push email without paying for MobileMe, MMS and video recording are too good to give up.

However, those who do know about the technical aspects of the iPhone, and plan to use its capabilities to its full potential, hats off to you.

 

[Syrus28]

Hah. I would seriously laugh in my teachers face if she/he wanted me to give her/him my phone to throw away. I mean, what right do they have to dispose of our property?

I can understand confiscating them for the class period or the day if they are being disrupted, but under no circumstances would I give my phone for the duration of the term/year... In what sense would confiscation for that long be reasonable?

I now feel better about my school now... We don't have any outlandish, bordering on illegal, posession of someone else's property. We get a warning for the first time (verbal), confiscation for the class period on the second, and a call home for the third. If it continues after that, they confiscate it on a daily basis, but they can't take it for longer than the day.

 

[jecapaga]

I'm 13 and I know most everything about the iPhone, I'm a complete geek who loves Apple products.

I know you meant no offense, but take this into consideration, not all children, or teens, are clueless about technology. Personally, I'm up to date in all the newest technology, and I know what everything in the tech world is. I know all the iPhone's most compelling features, and am not just giddy because of the "OMG, TOUCHSCREEN, MOMMY PLEASE!!" factor of it. You can view some of my posts for confirmation.

Edit: A response to dukebound85's comment (this isn't one of my posts that I am referring to):

I deeply appreciate the iPod touch that I received for Christmas, and I understand all the technical aspects of products. I know all the features, parts, etc. about the devices I own and wish to own. I am, admittedly very upset with my Vista PC though, I really can't stand Windows, but I'm still glad I have a computer.

Wow what an excellent post. I can hardly believe you're 13 with such a command of language. Great response.

 

[Eric Lewis]

Like People

If there parents buy em an 3G iPhone...let it be..who cares....

If you cant afford one..then dont get one...

Im glad there is many of us lucky people who can afford one who make a decent living and want to enjoy life (parents do..im a student)

I feel bad that my parents pay $100 a month for my iPhone

but i give them $50 a month from my part time job at starbucks...they dont expect any money at all..but i do it out of my kind heart..that way my parents can go buy a nice dinner for them selfs once a month or whatever

 

[know-it-all5]

First off, let me say that I'm not totally shallow, wanting to buy phones only for their aesthetic appeal and status. I am getting one for the progressive technical aspects of the Iphone 3G, and being that I'm about to graduate college, will need most of its features...


With that being said, I wanted to ask the semi-older crowd (20+) if the Iphone 3G will lose some of its appeal with you, being that the 199/299 price will draw the younger crowd (most, not all) that thinks having the Iphone makes you cool, so to speak. They don't know crap about the device and its features, they just know it has a touchscreen and its a cool device. Does this devalue the Iphone in your eyes, not wanting to be associated in your graduate school classes or business meetings as having a "kiddie phone"?


Again, no offense to the younger folks that actually buy things for their functionality.......

I hear your point, but just understand that everybody under say... 18 that is on this site in the forums, probably doesn't want the iphone, so they can be cool, but because they use the functionality to its limit. Yes, you speak of a large demographic of people who will buy an iphone and barely use half the features, cause they just want to be cool. The bottom line is that many adults buying the phone will be in similar circumstances.

For future posters, make sure that when you refer to mention any demographic of people that may not be tech savvy etc. that you understand that 99% of the people in this forum who may even fall into these demographics, are quite a bit different. Let's be honest, anybody who is on this site more than a few times a week is probably pretty tech savvy.

 

[Telp]

Well.....

I am a 16 year old, that is just about to enter the 11th grade. Although I'm 16, I buy technology for the function and "power" the piece of technology has. I am a "techno-geek" and buy technology for their function, and a small percentage of what they look like. I research every piece of technology and find out what it possesses before I buy it. I know what many acronyms mean. I know their functions and how to use them on my first try. So I don't really know what you are trying to say about young people only buy it to look "cool," because I am a young person that knows all this information. Please, don't repeat to me that you said," no offense to the younger crowd," because I did read that part.

Hear hear! You described me perfectly as well, except that i do buy something because of its looks. I won't buy an ugly anything ever. Even with flash drives, I will pay a bit more for a SONY than a similar device that looks ugly (besides the fact that i love sony products and they are very reliable). Besides that, I buy for the functionality and if i will use the product. I research everything and I can rattle information off on any product I am intereted in for anyone curious. I know a lot of technical information, and yes, I am young and don't know it all, I have a good grip on a lot of things. And atleast us young people know it's iPhone, not Iphone .

 

[Syrus28]

Hear hear! You described me perfectly as well, except that i do buy something because of its looks. I won't buy an ugly anything ever. Even with flash drives, I will pay a bit more for a SONY than a similar device that looks ugly (besides the fact that i love sony products and they are very reliable). Besides that,e I buy for the functionality and if i will use the product. I research everything and I can rattle information off on any product I am intereted in for anyone curious. I know a lot of technical information, and yes, I am young and don't know it all, I have a good grip on a lot of things. And atleast us young people know it's iPhone, not Iphone .

Same here. I put a lot of importance on looks as well. Who wants an ugly product? Who says we should sacrifice form for more function? In my opinion, both are equally important. If I'm looking for a certain product with similar functionality, it's looks are usually the deciding factor. Then again, when I'm searching for a product, the looks play a limiting factor on which products I consider.

I'd say people who sacrifice function for form are no worse than people who sacrifice form for function... A good buyer sacrifices neither.

 

[Telp]

Same here. I put a lot of importance on looks as well. Who wants an ugly product? Who says we should sacrifice form for more function? In my opinion, both are equally important. If I'm looking for a certain product with similar functionality, it's looks are usually the deciding factor. Then again, when I'm searching for a product, the looks play a limiting factor on which products I consider.

I'd say people who sacrifice function for form are no worse than people who sacrifice form for function... A good buyer sacrifices neither.

Glad to know someone is on the same page as me. And I agree 100% with you. Let that be a lesson for a good consumer.

 

[MattyK]

I'm 14, and I have to say i'm not buying it to be 'cool'
It's because of what it can do, it's amazing.
Besides I havn't had a phone, so I say heck i'm getting a good one.
It'll be a phone I can have for a long time and not get over it, And anyway, it beats having a ipod, a camera and a phone spread through 2 pockets