Tween using iPhone
A tween girl demands a $1,200 iPhone, despite her parents offering a more affordable $600 model. When her parents refuse, she becomes upset and accuses them of “ruining her life.” The mother suggests giving in, but experts advise against it.
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A tween was left fuming after her dad bought her a $600 iPhone 13 instead of the $1200 iPhone 15 she had her heart set on, accusing him of “ruining her life.”

Because of this, the dad took to Reddit, questioning whether he was truly in the wrong for not splurging on the pricier model, sparking a debate many parents can relate to—after all, how many of them grew up without the latest tech or a $1,200 gadget in hand?

Times have certainly evolved. For those who grew up at the turn of the century, it wasn’t uncommon to beg for the latest pair of $200 Doc Martens or a trendy gadget like a Discman.

Today, the stakes are higher, with tweens and teens setting their sights on much pricier items, like the latest $1,200 iPhone. It’s a reflection of modern consumer culture, where the pressure to have the best technology has skyrocketed. In this case, the father’s daughter is displaying a classic “choosing beggar” mentality—rejecting a perfectly good gift simply because it isn’t the most expensive option available.

The High Cost Of Keeping Up: Teen Trends And Consumerism

As he explained in his Reddit post, they bought her an iPhone 8 two years ago, which she uses for calls, texts, and social media. However, she now desires a more recent model, and this has caused significant tension.

“Recently, she’s been wanting a new phone because her phone was old and all her friends have new phones,” the dad wrote. It is no secret that an iPhone 8 is outdated by today’s standards, so it’s understandable why the daughter would desire a newer model.

Given that she is only 11 years old, the father reasonably thought the iPhone 13 would be suitable. It costs $600, has a good camera and battery life, and bears a striking resemblance to other iPhones. It seemed like a sensible option.

His daughter specifi