Convincing your parents to let you have a smartphone is a tricky business. You certainly don't want to approach them at the wrong time or in the wrong way, otherwise you run the risk of getting a firm "no". However, if you prepare for the conversation and help your parents understand that giving you a smartphone can also make their life easier, you'll have a better chance of convincing them. The following methods will help your efforts to get the coveted “yes” answer.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Preparing to Ask for a Cell Phone
Step 1. Start saving
Yes, of course you expect your parents to pay for your phone, but two things:
- If you offer to pay at least part of the price, you'll be showing your parents that you really need your phone and that it's less likely to make them think badly of you.
- If your parents say no, you can continue to save and approach them later, offering to pay more to demonstrate your commitment.
Step 2. Demonstrate your responsibilities
In addition to making good argument points, you have to show your parents that you are responsible enough to get a smartphone.
- Take care of the things you currently have. Take care of the condition of the items you already have, whether it's a laptop, tablet, or regular cell phone. Protect it, don't drop it, don't lose it, and let your parents see how well you look after the stuff.
- Show responsibility by doing your chores, or if you don't have a specific task, pay attention to what has to be done at home and do it without being asked. Take the trash out of the house, take out the trash can on garbage disposal day and bring it back in after, change and wash your sheets, clean dog poop from the yard, wash dishes in the sink, clean up the living room, and more.
- The more responsible you behave, the more likely your parents will think you're responsible enough to be given a smartphone.
Step 3. Get good grades in school
Show your parents that you are focused enough and are doing well in school to be able to own a smartphone.
- If it seems like you can barely keep up with your lessons, chances are they don't want to give you anything that will annoy you even more.
- During the weeks leading up to the time you approach your parents, do all your homework, get A's on tests and quizzes, and so on.
Part 2 of 3: Requesting a Cell Phone
Step 1. Choose a moment
Choose the appropriate time carefully to approach the parent with this conversation.
- Approach them when they are calm and not stressed or distracted.
- Don't ask them right away when they get home from somewhere-and especially don't approach them right after they get home from work.
- Don't try to bring up the topic when someone else is around. You certainly don't want to envy your sibling, and you certainly don't want to approach your parents if their friends or relatives are around (the parents may be distressed or annoyed).
Step 2. Open the conversation calmly and gratefully
First and foremost, you need to be precise when approaching your parents with this request.
- Open up the conversation calmly and maturely with words like, “Do you have time? There's something very important I want to talk about."
- Continue the discussion by showing that you appreciate all they have given you and how much time and energy they put into helping you each day. You could say something like, “I really appreciate the time and effort you put into helping me with my homework and cooking dinner (or fill it up according to your situation). And I'm so grateful to be given a bike for a Christmas present because it's a great help to go anywhere (or fill it right up with you).”
Step 3. Lift the pressure
Before making your request, start with something like, "You don't have to decide now" to let them know that you're willing to give them time to think.
Removing the pressure from having to answer right away will help parents to hear what you have to say without having to process their minds right away; when parents have to decide something urgently, often their answer is no
Step 4. Make your request politely and sincerely
When you're ready to make the request, do it politely but also sincerely-that is, don't be too licky or sweet. It will only make parents suspicious of you and your true motives.
Arrange the request words so that you open dialogue instead of dropping bombs. For example, you might say, "I want to talk about the possibility of getting a smartphone."
Step 5. Offer to donate money
Showing your parents that you care and are responsible enough to save for a smartphone can help convince them that you're ready to have one, perhaps even offering to pay most of the price.
- Explain to your parents that you are specifically saving so that you can be responsible for some of the price of the phone.
- Explain further that you are also donating money for the phone, and thus have an interest in maintaining it and not losing it.
Step 6. Say that the smartphone will keep you organized
What good is a smartphone if not for settings? Yes, it does have many functions, but you don't need to mention that part.
- Your smartphone will allow you to store all your events in one calendar, and-most importantly-the calendar can be shared with your parents so they can see what you're up to.
- A smartphone calendar will help you schedule long-term school projects, helping you to manage your time and do better in school.
- Because you can sync your calendar with your parents' calendars, they can enter and set reminders for important things you need to remember, like dentist and GP appointments.
Step 7. Say that a smartphone will help you stay safe and reachable
With a smartphone, you always have a comprehensive world map at hand, plus a list of emergency contacts and a GPS tracking system.
- If you're going to be driving somewhere, your phone can guide you and even help you avoid danger.
- If you walk, your cell phone can keep you from getting lost in unfamiliar places.
- Talk about how a smartphone will help you and your parents stay connected around the clock because it not only allows you to text or call whenever needed, but also has GPS capabilities that let parents know where you are
- A number of tracking apps allow you and your family members to track each other, which can be especially helpful for parents who tend to worry a lot about your whereabouts.
Step 8. Explain that a smartphone will help you study
Smartphones are perfect for getting tasks done anytime, anywhere.
- More and more schoolwork these days require internet research, and with a smartphone, you can do your homework while waiting for the bus, between classes, etc.
- There are a wide variety of study-and productivity-support apps available for download that can help you with everything from note-taking to reviewing ideas to managing assignments.
Step 9. Remind them of your good performance in school
If you've done a fundamental job of maintaining or increasing value, now's the time to take advantage of it.
- Don't just say or promise your parents that you will study well if you have a smartphone. Instead, have physical evidence to back you up-a report card, good grades on an exam, a recent project or paper, etc.
- Explain that a smartphone will not only help you in school now, but will also help you Keep going superior.
Step 10. Remind them of consolidation
Smartphones will reduce the need to own and carry multiple devices for email, movies, music, and books.
Instead of carrying multiple devices at once for all your tasks and entertainment needs, you can just take your smartphone with you. So your parents just need to buy fewer devices and your devices are at less risk of being lost or damaged
Step 11. Remind them of parental controls
It's not uncommon for parents to worry about what their child can access from the internet, especially if the internet is in their pocket. So try to avoid this problem.
- If your parents have rules about what you can access with your smartphone or how often you use it, tell them not to worry. To reassure them, remind them that they can set up parental controls on your phone.
- Parents can set controls on your phone, including limits on the number of texts and calls you can make, as well as purchase transactions and the amount of data you use per month.
- Parents can also set specific controls using your smartphone's operating system, including setting up safe searches on your phone's browser and YouTube.
- Lastly, there are a number of smartphone apps specifically designed to enable additional parental controls on your smartphone.
Step 12. Demonstrate responsibility
Many parents have doubts that their child doesn't know what's right and wrong about using a smartphone, so help reassure them.
- Remind them that a smartphone will help you learn about money management. Offering to pay part of the price of your phone not only demonstrates your financial responsibilities, but your phone can continue to hone your skills in managing your finances with a number of tools and apps available.
- Certain apps will let you set a budget and help you stick to it while others will let parents set up a list of household chores and the amount of money you'll receive for working on them.
- Talk about your knowledge of responsible cell phone use: explain your understanding that you shouldn't-and won't-send inappropriate messages or pictures and say that you're aware of certain apps that are inappropriate, also say that you'll let them decide what to do. that you can have on your phone.
- If you really want to show seriousness, say that you and your parents can make an agreement that includes an agreement about what you will and won't do with your smartphone.
Part 3 of 3: Facing the Answers
Step 1. React calmly no matter what
This is important-don't ruin your chances of getting a current or future smartphone by overreacting in one way or another.
- If a parent refuses, accept their answer calmly and patiently. Don't whine, scream, nag, or plead. If you stay calm and measured, there are a few more steps you can take (see below) to help with your desires. Ask them why they made that decision (and try to fix it if it's within your control, such as doing better in school, getting along with your siblings, etc.).
- If they agree, thank them quietly for listening to you and for trusting your responsibilities. Don't vent it out with a victory dance or start hopping on the couch-this could really make them reconsider the decision.
Step 2. Remind them of smartphone dominance
Now more and more smartphones are being produced, and in a short time smart phones will dominate the market so that ordinary phones will be very rare.
- So remind them that they are actually postponing the future which is bound to happen; this would be something they would think about.
- But don't remind yourself of this fact by whining or feeling sorry for yourself; You have to be mature and wise if you want this method to work.
Step 3. Let this matter pass
Don't keep asking if they refuse.
- Talking to your parents about your request will likely only annoy them (to your detriment) and show that you may not be mature enough to own a smartphone (to your detriment).
- Silencing the issue will also give parents additional time to think and consider your argument. Over time, they may come to agree more with your point of view.
- You can raise this issue again in a few weeks or a few months. Wait until you have something new and substantial to add to the argument-all A's, perfectly done household chores, and so on.
Step 4. Use your new phone wisely
If you manage to get your hands on a smartphone, use it responsibly.
- Don't use your phone to exceed your data, text message or phone call limits.
- Don't spend all your time sticking with the phone.
- Pay attention and enjoy time with your friends and family.
- Don't take out your cell phone at the dinner table or at family gatherings.
- Don't set up annoying ringtones or sound effects-you want to keep that new phone, don't you?
Tips
- Make sure you want a smartphone for the right reasons. Ask because a smartphone will come in handy and help you, not because all your friends have it or because you want to play a game when you get on the bus.
- Be patient. Convincing parents to buy a smartphone may be a process. So know that even if they initially refuse, you can still work to strengthen the argument over time.
- Set goals with your parents. Like in school, set an average grade to achieve in a given time to get a smartphone. But don't underestimate yourself.
