do young children need cell phones?

[Amby 490]

Amid worries over sexting (sexually-oriented text messages among or to young people who use mobile phones) and the revelation today that one-third of U.S. teens have used cell phones to cheat on tests, many parents face a tough decision of when to get a kid a mobile phone (insert tug, tug, tug on the shirtsleeve visual here).

Meanwhile, mobile phones are being actively marketed to young kids now, with phones that glow and age-themed ring tones, whilst preying on parental fears with the ol' "peace of mind" pitch.

In Britain, a toy-like phone aimed at kids as young as 4 will soon be launched ("The brightly-coloured Firefly handset has just five buttons - including two which call mum and dad directly.")

On the Web site of Firefly, the "mobile phone for mobile kids," the stock photos show kids who look to be about 8 years old. Aimed at the U.S. market, the Firefly site touts its "Pay-As-You-Go rate plans designed to give parents financial control." Any parent who's ever paid the mobile phone bill of a teen knows why that's attractive.

So what's wrong with toddlers having phones?

"We are continually eroding childhood and making children miniature adults," Margaret Morrissey, of the lobby group Parents' Outloud, told the Daily Mail. Indeed, on many fronts these days, modern society is ruining childhood — at least if you buy the argument that a carefree childhood is the aim.

So what do you think?

http://www.livescience.com/culture/090623-...ell-phones.html

[NArocks 13]

Man this is a rough one, my daughter did get her first phone at around 12 as I would drop her at the mall to hang out. I had the MetroPCS so it was only like 35.00 a month. You need to be so careful if you do not get the right plan as the bill can cost as much as your house and car payment. I think 12-13 is a good age as they are getting more freedom and it is nice to ne able to call and check on them

[Jenn! 918]

I didn't have a cell phone until I was 22 years old. I don't see any reason that a child should need a cell phone. Maybe once the child is able to drive, a phone only to be kept in the car would be a good idea, for safety.

The only thing that would make me reconsider is the fact that pay phones are not prevalent nowadays like they once were.

[Nagishkaw 510]

0h hell no.

[Amby 490]

I found this interesting because my aunt has two very young children and she seemed very interested when I told her last week they have phones for little kids. She's kinda a security freak though

[Marina-Del 10]

When I lived in the US I said that NO, kids don't need cell phones. I got my first cell phone the christmas after my 16th birthday because I had just started driving and my parents wanted me to have a phone if I was driving around by myself.

But now that I live in Brazil I have a different opinion on this matter. I think that as soon as your child is old enough to be going off places by themselves that they are older enough to have a phone. The reason I changed my mind once I got to Brazil is because where I lived in the US was in the middle of no where. So, unless your parents drove you some place, you weren't going anywhere. But here (like in all bigger cities) kids can leave their houses and walk to the mall or the movies or anywhere really. And if I was a parent here then I'd want my kids to have a phone so that I could contact them whenever I need to, or they could contact me whenever they needed. Most kids here walk to school after a certain age and I'd want my kid to have a phone just in case. If your kid is old enough to walk to school alone, then they are old enough to have a phone! Maybe restrict the plan so they can only call you (and other family or something) and receive calls from others or something.

I don't know about 4 years old though. It seems like if a kid is 4 years old than they are going to be either with their parents or their babysitters all the time, so what's the point in having a phone.

[Nik+Heather 121]

I didn't have a cell phone until I was 22 years old. I don't see any reason that a child should need a cell phone. Maybe once the child is able to drive, a phone only to be kept in the car would be a good idea, for safety.

The only thing that would make me reconsider is the fact that pay phones are not prevalent nowadays like they once were.

I didn't get one until I was driving.

Before that, I had a pager, and it was used to coordinate pick ups or "Stop hanging out at the neighbor's, supper is ready" codes.

On the other hand, for most of my contemporaries, they didn't have them either. I don't think that anyone old enough to be on an immigration forum is up with the times enough to be able to say that they wouldn't feel severely socially hampered without the ability to text in today's teen world. I remember when I was the last kid to get on AOL and IM with people, and got to hear about OTHER people's shenanigans on the bus the next morning. Just as with anything, parenting is about teaching life skills and setting boundaries. Cell phones are no different.

Edit: Duh, Heather, this is about young kids. No, I don't think YOUNG kids need them. Maybe by 12, when the economics/responsibility can be handled.

Edited June 24, 2009 by Nik+Heather

[reeses16 8]

I agree with Jenn. Because there are fewer and fewer pay phones. I would probably ok a prepaid phone for emergencies only.

Do parents forget that picture and text are add ons? If they are concerned about their children sending or receiving sexy photos or texts, remove the service.

[Ladylethal 12]

I didn't have one until I was 22 to be honest, and if I lived in a small town I wouldn't get one for my kid until they were old enough to have responsibility over the phone. I can see how some parents might want their small children to be available wherever they are, to keep control and guard them, but I was given independence as a kid, going to school using public transportation, by myself, at the age of 9. My mom cared for me but she let me go out there and learn to make my own mistakes, she taught me to be responsible and knew I could handle it, and so she knew she didn't have to be all over me to know I was where I said I'd be, and that if I needed her, the payphone was always less than a block away. If something bad will happen, it will happen whether the kid has a cellphone or not.

Anyway, these days with how the world is my opinion regarding how I'd act with my kids would depend on where I'll be living and what type of kids they are.

[Sandrila 1]

At first I was opposed to it when my son told me his grandfather was going to give him a phone and get the service, I guess he was around 12. I thought me, as his mother, should be the one to determine whether or not he gets one and when it is appropriate.

Needless to say he got the phone against my approval (divorced with an irresponsible non cooperating ex).

4 years later and 16 years old I find that the phone does come in handy for keeping in touch with the kids at all times and in case they have any emergencies or change in their schedules/activities.

I have to admit that the phone as well as the chatting on the internet is really excessive for kids probably ages 10-16.

The second child followed suit with the cell phone and she is now 12

My youngest also has a plan her father put her on and even though I feel she is way too young it does serve it's purpose.

I would be concerned about the bills that would occur from going overtime, which is very easy to do, even for me.

At first I was opposed to it when my son told me his grandfather was going to give him a phone and get the service, I guess he was around 12. I thought me, as his mother, should be the one to determine whether or not he gets one and when it is appropriate.

Needless to say he got the phone against my approval (divorced with an irresponsible non cooperating ex).

4 years later and 16 years old I find that the phone does come in handy for keeping in touch with the kids at all times and in case they have any emergencies or change in their schedules/activities.

I have to admit that the phone as well as the chatting on the internet is really excessive for kids probably ages 10-16.

The second child followed suit with the cell phone and she is now 12

My youngest also has a plan her father put her on and even though I feel she is way too young it does serve it's purpose.

I would be concerned about the bills that would occur from going overtime, which is very easy to do, even for me.

[Amby 490]

my aunt liked the fact that they have gps on them and you can know where your kids are at all times

[JeanneVictoria 55]

0h hell no.

[caybee 21]

Who knows what the technology will be like when he's old enough, but maybe a cell phone (with limits) when he's 12 or 13, and probably some sort of GPS on him before then. We're going to be a mean mom and dad and limit TV time and content pretty strictly. I don't like the direction marketing to children has taken, and it's going to be a struggle to teach him to be a smart consumer. There's a good documentary here - seven parts, close to an hour and a half in all. Sure made me think.

[Ban Hammer 13,352]

my aunt liked the fact that they have gps on them and you can know where your kids are at all times

and the government can know where you are......

[jundp 191]

My son got a pre-paid phone when he started high school because he was going off more and doing things with friends. If he went over his texting limit then he was SOL.

When he was a junior my ex got him an iPhone and he pays the service (unlimited data and internet). If I was paying for it, he'd be getting the basic service like I have...hell, I don't have an iPhone But he's really responsible with it.

I don't worry about cheating at school because we have an honor code and most of us teachers have a 'phone box' during tests so the kids can't take photos/text answers (yes, it does happen...all too often).

My daughter is 10 and wants to know when she'll get her cell phone. I told her when she starts high school, same as her brother.