How To Convince Your Parents to Get You a Smartphone
It can be difficult to convince your parents to let you have a phone.You don't want to approach them at the wrong time or wrong way, or you'll risk getting an "no"You can use the following to get the "yes."
Step 1: Save money.
If you offer to pay at least part of the cost, you will be showing your parents that you take the situation seriously and it will make them more likely to give you the benefit.If your parents say no, you can offer to cover more of the cost to show your commitment.
Step 2: Show your responsibility.
You need to show your parents that you are responsible enough to get a phone.Take care of your possessions.If you have a flip phone, keep it in good shape.Don't lose it, protect it and let your parents know how well you're taking care of it.If you don't have specific chores assigned to you, pay attention to what needs to be done around the house and do it without being asked.Change and wash your sheets, clean the yard, wash the dishes in the sink, and so on after you take out the trash.The more responsible you are, the more likely your parents will be to give you a phone.
Step 3: Good grades can be obtained in school.
Show your parents that you can handle a phone in school.They are unlikely to give you anything to distract you if you are barely getting through your classes.For the weeks leading up to when you will ask your parents, make sure you do all your homework.
Step 4: You can choose your moment.
Pick the right time to speak to your parents.Pick a time when they are not stressed or distracted.Don't approach them as soon as they're home from work if you want to pounce on them.When other people are around, don't try to open the topic.If your friends or relatives are around, you don't want to approach your parents because they're more likely to be stressed or distracted.
Step 5: Allow the conversation to go on calmly and with gratitude.
When approaching your parents with this request, you need to have the right attitude.Open the conversation with a question, like, "Do you have a few minutes?"There is something very important I would like to talk to you about, and you should demonstrate to me how much you appreciate the things they have already given you and the amount of time and energy they put into helping you on a daily basis.You might say, "I really appreciate how much time and effort you put into helping me with my homework and making dinner."I am thankful for the bike you gave me for Christmas because it is helping me get around.
Step 6: The pressure should be taken off.
Before asking the question, say something like "You don't have to say yes or no right now" to let them know that you're willing to give them time to think it over."Taking away the pressure of an immediate response will allow your parents to listen to what you have to say without having to make a decision.
Step 7: Ask the question in a respectful way.
Don't be obsequious or saccharine, when you're ready to pose the question, do so politely but also sincerely.It will make your parents suspicious of you.You should ask the question so that you can start a dialogue.You could say something like, "I'd like to talk with you about getting a phone."
Step 8: Donate towards the cost.
It is possible to convince your parents that you are ready for one if you offer to pay most of the cost.Explain to your parents that you went out of your way to save money so you could take responsibility for the cost of the phone.Explain that you have a vested interest in taking care of the phone and not losing it, because you will also be invested in it.
Step 9: It will keep you organized.
If it's not for organization, what are smartphones for?A lot of things, but you don't need to mention that part.It's a calendar you can share with them so they can see what you've got going on, and your smartphone will allow you to keep all of your events in one calendar.You can better manage your time and do better in school if you have a calendar on your phone.If you sync your calendar to your parents, they can set reminders for important things, like dentist and doctor appointments.
Step 10: It will keep you safe and in touch if you tell them.
A map, a list of emergency contacts, and aGPS tracking system are all included in the price of a phone.If you ever drive a car, your phone can help you avoid accidents.If you walk, your phone can help you find your way.Talk about how a phone will allow you to stay in touch with your parents at all times, because they can see where you are, and you can text or call when you need to.A number of tracking apps allow you and your family members to keep track of each other, which can be particularly helpful for parents who tend to worry frequently about your whereabouts.
Step 11: Explain that you can use a phone to study.
It's easy to get work done on a mobile device.There are more and more school assignments that require internet research, and with a phone, you can do your work while waiting for the bus, in between classes.There are a lot of great study and productivity enhancing apps available to download.
Step 12: Let them know how well you are doing in school.
It is time to let it work for you if you did the groundwork of keeping or getting your grades up.Don't just tell your parents that you'll do well in school if you have a phone.You should have physical evidence to back you up--a report card, some exams you aced, a recent project or paper.Explain that a phone will help you excel in school.
Step 13: They should be reminded about consolidation.
The need to carry around multiple devices for email, movies, music, and books will be eliminated by a smartphone.You can carry just one phone instead of having separate devices for work and entertainment.You will have fewer gadgets to misplace and your parents will not have as many devices to buy.
Step 14: They should be reminded of their parental controls.
It is not uncommon for parents to worry about what their children can access on the internet.Try to head these concerns off in the past.They don't need to worry if you have reservations about what you can access with your phone.Tell them that they can set parental controls on the phone.Your parents can set limits on the number of calls and texts you can make, as well as the amount of purchases and data you are allowed to use, if they choose to do so via your cellular carrier.Setting up safe search on your phone is one of the things your parents can do.There are a number of apps that enable additional parental controls on the phone.
Step 15: Show responsibility.
Many parents have doubts about their kids knowing the right and wrong things to do with a phone.It will help you learn money management.If you offer to pay part of the cost, you will be demonstrating financial responsibility, as well as honing your financial skills, with a number of helpful tools and apps available on a phone.Certain apps will allow you to draw up a budget and then help you follow it while others allow your parents to set a list of chores and a monetary amount for you.Tell them you understand that certain kinds of apps will be inappropriate and will let them have final say on what you have on your phone, if you talk about your knowledge of responsible phone use.If you really want to show them how serious you are, tell them that you and they can write an agreement which you can all sign, outlining what you will and won't do with your phone.
Step 16: No matter what, react calmly.
Don't blow your chances of getting a phone by acting one way or another.Accept the answer calmly and patiently if they say no.Don't whine, yell, rant, or plead.There are a few more steps you can take if you stay calm and measured.If they are under your control, like doing better in school, getting along with your siblings, you can ask them why.If they say yes, thank them for hearing you out and trusting you.It may make them rethink their decision if they start jumping up and down on the couch.
Step 17: They should be reminded of the inevitability of mobile devices.
More and more phones are being produced, and soon the market will be dominated by phones.It will give them something to think about if they know they are really delaying the inevitable.If you want this to work, you need to be mature and thoughtful.
Step 18: Allow the matter to rest.
If they said no, don't come after them.If you hound your parents about the issue, you will annoy them and show them that you aren't mature enough for a phone.Allowing the issue to rest will give your parents more time to think and consider your arguments.They may agree more with your point of view with time.You can bring it up again in a few weeks or months.Wait until you have something substantial to add to your argument, such as a straight-A report card, a month's worth of perfect chores, etc.
Step 19: Don't use your new phone too much.
When you get a phone, use it wisely.Don't discuss your data, text, or call limits.Don't spend a lot of time on your phone.You should be present with your friends and family.At family gatherings, don't pull out your phone.You want to be able to keep your phone, right?