Why am I not allowed a phone, and any social networking sites?

[Aisha]

I am mid way through high school and all of my friends have either got iPhones, Samsung's, or Nokia Luminas. All of my friends and class mates are either on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and anything like that. It does make me feel awkward when they ask why I am not on there. The reason to that is my mum, wont let me, she says it will ruin my school life, but my friends who had phones, and social networking sites, do really well, in school and at the moment so am I. I do have a phone but, it can only take simple phone calls and messages, there's no wi fi, Bluetooth, or anything, even the cameras useless. Ever time I ask to change it she says no. I do offer to pay out of my own money as well.The thing that bothers me the most is that my younger brother has an iPod, the newest one that has just come out, my dad had bought for him, my brother said that my mum said to him that I didn't deserve it anyway, because all I would do is use it for social networking. I don't live with my dad and I wouldn't feel right taking anything that expensive off of him, because he isn't that rich, and can barely survive on the money he's got. I use his old phone right now, so my mum never bought a phone for me. He had to borrow money to pay for my brothers iPod. He got it for my brother because he begged it from him. I wouldn't want to do that, my mum and brother say I am not allowed to use it anyway. My birthdays coming up and I don't know what to ask for, because all of my friends and family asked for phones or tablets, and I know I wont get anything like that, usually I just get clothes. Am I being childish thinking like this, I don't want to kick up a fuss because I don't like attention seeking.

Thanks guys, please reply responsibly.

[Pablo Aguirre]

Listen to you're mom because my life got ruined every bodys life got ruined cause of social networking i have insomnia sometimes because of fucking twitter for gods sake don't do it

[Vamsi]

study well keep geting good marks,so if you being geting all time good marks you would get all what you like,parents are the god for us so they wold give all for you to make you happy,if you can concentrate on your studies they would get suprise and they would give you all,still you dont get means you should ask your mom are dad requestingly until dey mood changes ,i'm warning you adicting to social networking sites is not good for you

[Natasha Lee]

Aww I know exactly how u feel I hav Facebook and Twitter but a junky phone and my parents r very strict about internet use because they say it will ruin my life just wait and save up when ur 18 u can do whatever you want

[gin]

you ask if you're being childish? no i don't really think so. it is quite unfair of your mother. and the fact that your younger brother is allowed to do so is even more wrong to me. but by the sounds of it, you live with your mother and your brother with your father. so with a different guardian of course you cant expect the same rules.
but in these times if you don't have stuff like social media or a decent phone, you can easily be left out of the community, or lose friends cause they have all their communication online and you're not there.
i'm honestly not very familiar with situations like these, since i have a mom who will let me do most anything (as long as its not illegal and such), so i don't know of a good way to solve that problem. but you said that you could pay for it right? and the reason you didn't want your dad to get it is cause he cant afford it? well if that's the case, why not just give the money to your dad, and then let him buy it?
as for what to wish for, for your birthday, if it was me i would still wish for the phone (or whatever else you wish for, whatever that may be). whether you'll actually get it, i don't know. but if the alternative is wishing for something you don't want then i'd say that's a waste of good money. either i'd wish for what you want, or for money.
in the worst case scenario, you wont get a phone. and in that case, sooner or later you're gonna be an adult. and at that point you can get all the social media and phones you'd like. just have some patience.

[Ted C]

I think your Mum has the right idea - I cannot concieve any reason why anyone needs a Facebook account, telling the world all your private affairs.
As for a mobile phone - I carry one purely for emergencies, it is always switched off so no one can phone me, no on knows the number, and its only used when I need to use it, such as if I am going to be late home, or the car has broken down. Anyone who needs to get in touch with me can phone me at home or leave a message.

[thankfulConqueror228]

Most people answering this question are concerned adults, but let me say I am 15 years old, and I have facebook and ask.fm, but unlike most d*cks out there today, the only thing i use them for is if i want to know something, for casual conversations and to make some people feel nice if i know something is wrong in their life. Tell your mom she can moniter your facebook if she wants. But i don't recommend getting ask.fm, you can if you want but people are so mean on it. Facebook and twitter have some funny pages though that can make you laugh.

[Johny]

Mate facebook and twitter are pretty overrated anyway. Too many idiots posting annoying things about how crap their life is and asking you to like or share stupid things. You aren't missing out on much believe me! Wait till you are 18 and have a proper job so you can afford to get it. Fair enough when you are in high school but when you graduate then the world is your oyster!