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My kids got cell phones when they got to high school. While it was SUPPOSED to be for emergencies and "keeping tabs on" only, and it was for awhile with my eldest, by the time the second child got theirs it became the primiary source of communication for people under a certain age and now we have a family plan with unlimited texts. No amount of me talking about "the good old days" or "when I was a kid" will turn back time.
Once they could afford to buy their own phones I didn't care what they got, but I only gave them the basics...usually a gophone or something used off ebay, no camera or mp3 or anything like that. Now however I think the most basic of phones comes fully equiped.
Most of the cell phone companies now offer parental control tools (for a small fee of course) that allow you limit the features, and even the minutes available on phones you have on your family plan.
Given the times, I think cell phones for kids are kind of necessity since in my area the payphones have actually been removed by the phone companies.
I think a kid, if they have one, should have a prepay. Give them so many minutes a month and when its done, its done.
My son was getting several 'junk' text messages that we couldnt figure out why his share of the bill was always so high till I called the company, turns out he was opening junk text messages that were costing us! so...I had them put a block on this type of thing and he doesnt get them anymore. :0
Think having a phone is a good idea..could prevent some tragic events (unexpected situations, car trouble) but they only need to call for help..such as parents or 911. Absolutely no excuse for pictures, videos, etc. Another product of technology with real potential for abuse by the immature, irresponsible, naive, impulsive; and not always "just kids". Same goes for unsupervised computer use; preditors have all the advantages and run rampant. Parents just need to PARENT!! janbnd
But that goes for everything. Anything can be abused by children if the parents don't take responsibility and actully parent. THere is no inherent evil in letting a child have a cell phone, the problem is parents not parenting.
My son will probably have a cell phone when he is 9 or 10, when he is old enough to walk to school or to friends homes by himself and I honestly don't see a problem with that at all. All parents want their kids safe.
Times change, always will. some for the good, some for the not so good. My child will have a cell phone with restrictions. My son can play on the computer which probably has more dangers unsupervised than a cell phone. Just because it can be abused doesn't mean I will let my child have the chance to abuse it.
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Kids and cell phones
