u/_music_FOREVER_

Hi, guys! This is my first post on this sub, and I’m so glad to be here! Please prepare for the paragraphs of tearful rambling that I’ve written below!

Anyways, the situation went a little like this:
Approximately one hour ago, my parents called me into their bedroom for a surprise. As soon as I entered, I could sense something in the air, and I didn’t like the way it felt. My parents looked at each other and then at me. They then said something along the lines of, “Now that you’re an upcoming high school freshman, we think it’s time you get your first cell phone! Isn’t that so great?”. My face fell as I tried to explain why I’m against that idea. I offered alternatives such as a Nokia/flip phone or a smart watch, and I was laughed off, saying that I was ready for the responsibility of a cell phone. I tried to further negotiate, but was shooed away. The second I left the room, both of my parents immediately immersed themselves in their own cell phones. I looked over to the next room to see my younger brother on HIS cell phone. The only exception was my youngest brother, and he’s only seven years old.
For more context on how exactly I practice digital minimalism, here you go. I have no social media except for YouTube, on which I have downloaded modifications (e.g. Unhook and SocialFocus). I have set my own screen time limit with a separate app as well as the Apple settings. I have several activities I do throughout the day that I find more enjoyable and beneficial than technology usage (e.g. Sudoku, writing, coloring, going outside, exercising, listening to music with my CD player, card games, etc.).
It’s devastating to see how my peers have underdeveloped academically due to constant technology usage. I’ve been the girl with no cell phone for YEARS, and I wish to stay that way for my own good. I already have issues in school as is, which are due to both autism and a bad problem with procrastination. I REALLY don’t want that to get worse.

So, what should I do about this? My parents are notoriously difficult to negotiate with, and I can’t convince them to take on a different point of view. I understand that I could download screen time restrictions on the cell phone, but why should I have to mitigate an unnecessary problem? I really don’t understand why my parents WANT me to have a cell phone when there are so many better alternatives. I can’t lose myself to technology. Not yet. Not again… 🙁