The Chaperone phone - Does anyone else have one?

Crystalina wrote: I've been looking for a phone for Izabella and I've decided on the Chaperone by Verizon. I just wanted to know if anyone else had it for their child and how you like it. I've already paid for it but it has not come in yet and I never even thought to ask any parents on here if it was worth it or not. I guess it has the tracker so I can look on my phone and see where she is and I can also but an "invisible perimeter" up so if her phone ever leaves a perimeter that I make my phone will alert me. That is really what I'm wondering about. Is it as easy as that? The guys at the store said it was but I'd like to hear from a parent who actually uses it.

luvmykids replied: No but I'm curious!

Crystalina replied: Here is a link to it.

https://www.vzwchaperone.com/landing

MoonMama replied: I don't know anything about them, but our local paper did a huge story on it a while back. And parents seemed to really love them.

Brias3 replied: Oh, Aliyah would love me- her very own cell phone!

No, honestly though, I've heard good things about it. I haven't actually considered it for my own kids but am also curious to hear other people's real reviews.

Crystalina replied: Ok, well thanks anyway. We will be picking hers up tomorrow so I guess I'll let you all know how it works. She is still very young to have a cell phone (she's only 5) but this is very kid friendly and I'm super paranoid about her riding the bus and she insists on riding. I'm just hoping she doesn't lose it. I think it comes with a clip though.

msoulz replied: Please do give details when you get the phone. I wonder what is on it to deter others from stealing it? I see that 4 numbers can be programmed in (that would probably stop anyone who understands from stealing it) but can a call be received from anyone? The web site either wasn't very detailed or I didn't look in the right place. Thanks a bunch!!

Crystalina replied:
DH and I wondered about who can call the phone also. We didn't think about that until dinner last night so I will call this morning. I'll let you know what I find out.

luvbug00 replied: If it's anything like the phones of it's type only the nubers programed intot he phone4 ( the 4 you spoke of) are the ONLY nubers that the phone can recive calls from.

ps. check with her school about cell phone policy. here a child can be suspended and the phone taken from them and never given back again. and it applies for all ages.

msoulz replied:
That 4 numbers only could be a problem with incoming calls. Often workplaces have multiple lines/numbers on which outgoing calls are dialed. That is why I am wondering about that.

Excellent point about the school policy too.

Thanks for the info Crystalina! I have been wondering about these things. I reallly appreciate it!!

Crystalina replied: Izabella told me today that they cannot have phones in school or on the bus. I don't see why not if the phones aren't even on! How can they tell a parent that their child cannot have a cell phone? I TOTALLY understand having them on either in school or on the bus. I agree with that 100% but what if there were an emergancy? In this day and age it is very obviouse that schools are not off limits when it comes to tragedys.

We found that any number can call the phone. That helps alot. You can also not only track the Chpaperone down on your parent phone but you can also do it online. I'm so in love with this thing that we've decided to get one for Evan also. I know he is only 3 and he won't be calling anyone but they come with little hooks and wristbands in all sorts of colors that you can hook to the child. I'm one of those paranoid parents when it comes to losing a child. I was lost when I was a kid and I think that's why. I can hook that thing on him and if I lose him (God forbid) then I can pull him up on my phone. It will just give me piece of mind.

P.S.
I'll be calling the school tomorrow to see about all this 'can't bring a cell phone to school' nonsense. It may get ugly.

My3LilMonkeys replied:
Good luck!

Just to give you some insight into what they might say, when I was in HS they banned cell phones for several reasons:

1. Most can be turned to 'silent' and text messages, etc. could be sent while in class.

2. Many have internet options that could allow students to look things up and cheat on a test

3. Test answers/cheat sheets could be stored in the phone

msoulz replied:
Wow, I woudn't have thought of that.

Thanks again for the info Crystalina!!!!

luvbug00 replied: try contacting the higher up athorities, Mya's aunts friend has a walkie talkie in school to communicate with her mom but it took ALOT of persuading to get the school to Ok. Hope you can find a way to feel safe about her riding the bus. I'm too scared to let Mya ride it

Crystalina replied:
I understand those reasons believe me but she is in kindergarten. She can only call 4 numbers and there is no texting on it. She has to learn how to spell first. Her bags and coat are on little hooks on the outside of the classroom. If it is in her bag she will not have access to it. kwim? I could see if she was older then those rules may apply but for kindergarten? Her school only goes to 2nd grade. How much cheating can they do.

paradisemommy replied: i just had a question..what's to stop the child from taking off this wristband and just leaving it somewhere..my children hate having any kind of bracelet/necklace/jewelry on them and take them off and leave them anywhere.. and as the child gets older..can't they simply leave the phone somewhere so you could only track the phone to there...for example - say i'm going to my friend tracy's house..stop by tracy's house and give her my phone and then take off and pick it up on the way home...kwim?

Crystalina replied: Well, there is nothing to stop that at all. I don't put hers on her wrist unless she is out of school. In school I've muted it and stuck it in her bag. She never forgets her bag so as long as she has it I can find her. She should never need to call me at school and I've told her that. She needs to go to her teacher if she has a problem. If there is a problem on the bus she needs to talk to her bus driver who is absolutely great.
It comes with clips so at home if she doesn't want to where it on her wrist I clip it to her belt loop. Its very small and light. There is no certainty that she will not remove it but I have to trust that she will listen to me and not. It just gives me added security and if she follows my directions then it will work. With so many kids that disappear between school and home you would think they would want the kids to be tracked down more easily. Now Izabella is watched from the minute she leaves the school and gets on the bus to the minute she gets off and I'm there to pick her up. She (hopefully) will NEVER need it at school but nowadays I wouldn't put anything past anyone. Look at the World Trade Center. If it weren't for cells many people would not have been able to say goodbye. Look at Columbine. These are very very drastic cases I know but they never thought it would happen to them either. kwim?

I also just checked on her and she's safely in school and not moving. I can also check her on the bus and make sure the bus driver isn't speeding. He never would, he's the best but I can always check.

::ETA::
I can either check her online or on my cell if I'm not home.

C&K*s Mommie replied: One question: How are the perimeters of any given location determined?
How do you define an area? Is it similiar to GPS capabilites?

Crystalina replied:
Don't hold me to this because I've not tried it yet but I was told by the saleswoman that I go onto the map and click a perimeter. Like connect the dots. When the perimeter is done then if her phone leaves that area then my phone will sound an alarm. I know that you can narrow it down to the exact address she is at. I can also cee any landmark or restarant she is near.
I can also control everything about her phone through the computer or my phone. I can disable it and also disable or activate the 911 button. I can also change all of her numbers online instead of actually touching her phone.

tntviper1 replied: hi all first post
i am curious about this. at what age do you get a cell for a child?
mine are 7 & 9 and y 9 YO (girl) wants a phone really bad now. i feel she is to young at this time.

Crystalina replied:
I don't think 9 is too young at all as long as the child is responsible enough. My 5 yr old is very responsible and I'm actually amazed at how careful and how much she takes care of her phone. My 3 yr old has a cell also but for communitcating on a phone he is way too young. Even though this particular phone is very child friendly he's still too young for it. I only have one for him so I can track him if I ever have to. He's never out of my site and doesn't even go to a babysitter so right now it's just a thing that I clip on his pants but if he ever does get lost I can hopefully track him easier or at least call him to ease his mind. But a regular phone for a 3 yr old or even a 5 yr old is a bit much. 9 yrs old though I would think would be ok. Maybe get a prepaid one or one where you can program certain numbers in (if you are worried about who the child may call.).

C&K*s Mommie replied: I agree.

luvbug00 replied: this may be just me, but i think no child under 16 has any business having a phone. Whatever each parent choises to do is their business but my child isn't getting one until she earns one and she is 16.

Crystalina replied:
Nadia you're right. It is every parents own decision and let me say that pre 9/11 I thought the same thing. Now though it seems since then (or maybe I'm just more aware of it) our world is going downhill at a fast rate. It seems like kidnappers and pedaphiles aren't even caring if they get caught. Kids are walking in and shooting up schools. I know I don't have to defend because I don't think your post was confrontational at all but I do want to say that the reason I got phones for them is if God Forbid they are in a situation I can get in touch with them or they me. Since 9/11 cell phones have become even more important then ever. There would have been thousands of people who would never have been able to say one last goodbye to their families if not for cells. I'm not saying that my child will ever be in a seriouse situation like that but I feel that I need to give her whatever opprotunity I can to contact me if she ever has to. I'm hoping that it will only be used for goofing off with her brother and calling me and daddy every 5 minutes like she likes to do but if she ever needs it for an emergancy it will be there. I would hate for something seriouse to happen and her not have a phone just because she didn't earn it. I'm not saying your thoughts on this are wrong because I know many many people that think they should be earned but I look at it as a safety measure and not a luxury. Especcially the phone she has where she can only call our house, my cell, dh's cell, her brothers cell and 911.