Prepaid cell phones have a number of legitimate uses. A
prepaid cell phone could be used as a teenagers first cell phone, due to the
fact that they are not expensive, and the amount one pays for it can limit the
teenager to learn self-control with how much they use it. Also, because of the
price, prepaid cell phones are easy to replace if it is lost or damaged.
Another legitimate use of a prepaid cell phone includes that it lets you
control your spending. You are only able to make a certain number of calls
because of the available minutes that you have paid for. It could depend on
your lifestyle. Prepaid cell phones could be more economical for those who do
not use a cell phone as frequently as others. For these people, it could be a
way to get in contact with others in case of an emergency. You can also pay as
you go with these phones, lifting a weight off your shoulders, knowing that
there isn’t going to be a monthly bill coming in that needs to be paid. I do
not think that prepaid cell phones should be banned, but law should control
them. There should be no reason why someone would need to have a prepaid cell
phone, and to be sneaky about it. If there is nothing to hide, there shouldn’t
be a problem registering the phone. It is a way of protecting our national
security in a way, because there are people who buy these prepaid cell phones,
and use them to do bad things. Although this may be invading privacy in a way,
it is protecting others from danger that could occur in the future. It all
depends on the situation.
I completely agree with your ideas about prepaid cell phones. I think it would be unnecessary for them to ban them all together because of all the reasons you spoke about. Many people can't afford or wouldn't use a regular cell phone to its full potential so these are perfect for them. I also agree that if the government wants to track prepaid phones that it shouldn't be a problem. If criminals are using them for illegal reasons it can easily be stopped by having them registered and being able to track them. People who are using for the right reasons should not be bothered by that at all.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both of these ideas. There are comercials all the time about the older generation also using prepaid cell phones because they are still unsure how to use all of the technology that comes with the more expensive iphones or droid phones. Also the older generation doesnt care about using their phones for anything other than making phone calls to family memebers and keeping in touch. It would not be necessary for the government to put a tracking device in phones used to keep in contact with family unless it was for emergency situations but still it wouldnt be ethical to track their phones if it is not necessary.
ReplyDeleteCould not agree more! Prepaid cellphones offer all kinds of positive things like cheap, simple, quick use phones. Banning them would be a major mistake but controlling them is very smart. Registering a phone is quick and simple and, like you said, should not be a problem for anyone using the phone for the right reasons.
ReplyDeleteKatie, I agree that people who use prepaid phones should be required by law to register them. If they are not using a prepaid phone for the sole reason that it is anonymous then they should have no problem being registered to the phone, just like with a monthly plan with any carrier.
ReplyDeleteI think you make a few very good points regarding the legitimate use of prepaid cell phones. I think the idea of having a cheap, affordable, and replacable phone are all very good selling points behind prepaid phones that I myself didn't even think of. You also spoke on how it could help kids develop self-control with how much they use their phone; I think this is also a very good point especially in this day in age where kids are almost on their cell phones more than they are off of it. The only argument I have is when you said "There should be no reason why someone would need to have a prepaid cell phone". People might want to simply remain anonymous, and even if they have nothing to hide, they shouldn't be forced to expose their cell phone use just authorities can have an easier time catching those small number of people who do have something to hide.
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