| Total Views: 206 - Total Replies: 6 |
|
| POSTED BY: marc on 07/14/2007 11:50:35 |
|
*Article from MSN.com Should a 10 year old have a cell phone? Parents debate buying mobile devices for their preteens. Robert is a typical 10-year-old. He goes to day camp near his home in Dallas and plays video games with friends. But there’s one thing missing, as far as Robert is concerned: a cell phone. “One of my counselors has a BlackBerry,” Robert says. “I’d really like one.”
If you think age 10 is too young to own a cell phone, you may soon be in the minority. A 2006 study by market research firm the Yankee Group found that if trends continue, more than 50 percent of the "tween" population (8- to 12-year-olds) will be using cell phones by 2010. A study conducted by Jupiter Research found that nearly one-half of children age 12 or13 will have a cell phone by the end of 2007, while one-third of children age 10 or 11 will have a one in the same period. Boosted by these findings, carriers are developing new ways to reach the SpongeBob set—and to convince skeptical parents that it’s a good idea. Robert’s mother, Mary, isn’t so sure.
“At this age, he is always in the company of adults,” says Mary, who asked that her last name not be used. “He can use their phone if he needs to call me.” Her son started asking for a cell phone when he was 8. “In third grade a few kids in his class got them. Some of their parents just got them to stop the begging.
“It’s just the possession du jour. He’ll want an iPhone next,” Mary says. Too Young?
The question remains: Can young children handle the responsibility of a cell phone? While services like Kajeet’s can curb problems such as cyberbullying and inappropriate content, they can’t teach a kid to be responsible.
That job is still up to the parents. Lynn Terry from Tennessee saw buying her kids cell phones as an opportunity to teach accountability. Two years ago, Terry bought her 9-year-old daughter a cell phone for Christmas. Her 15-year-old has a phone, too. “I purchased prepaid cellular plans for my children so that they had a better understanding of the cost and usage,” Terry says. “It gives a parent more control and less risk.
“Responsible use should be taught and encouraged,” Terry says. “It’s not necessary for a 10-year-old to chat and text 24 hours a day.”
Friends of Nicole Smith from Houston thought that she and her husband were crazy for buying their 9-year-old son a cell phone. “They felt he was kind of young for that responsibility,” Smith says, “but cell phones are so affordable these days, the benefit of the added peace of mind far outweighs the monthly bill.” She says her son uses it on average a half an hour a day. “There haven’t been any problems other than his tendency to download music and games, which can get expensive.”
Jenna doesn’t expect her son to always be responsible for his phone, at his age. “He will only be taking it with him to school and times like when he went swimming with neighbors of ours,” she says. “He doesn’t get a ‘chat with your friends phone’ until he gets a job and pays for it.”
Mary is concerned that buying kids cell phones sends the wrong message. “A cell phone seems to be a symptom of a larger societal issue; parents need to learn to say no when their children beg for things they don't need.”
However, she admits that for some parents a phone might be necessary. “Some kids have single parents, complex schedules; it’s more valuable for them,” she says. But her son Robert will just have to wait.
“He’s a little boy,” Mary says. “He’s impulsive; he wouldn’t use it in the wisest way possible. He could be on the phone constantly. He might even call me constantly!”
“I don’t think that’s true,” Robert argues. “I won’t use it to call about stupid things, or prank calls. I wouldn’t call too many people; it wouldn’t be a big bill.”
Mary did give in to her son's other desire: a Webkinz, a stuffed animal that comes with its own interactive Web site. “They are quite the hit with fourth-graders,” she says.
But Robert hasn’t given up hope he’ll have a cell phone someday soon.
“Maybe when I’m 13,” he says.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to AircraftMechanix.com!
|
|
Another great article! I let my kids have cell phones only if they can be resposible with them. I have had to reposess my 13 year olds phone after she proved otherwise. She is learning a valuable lesson about cell phones being a privelege, not a right! I am having to teach my parents the same thing (I had to mail one they bought her against my wishes back!).
--------------------------------------------------------------
Just the chick with the screwdriver
|
| Back To Top |
|
| POSTED BY: johnd on 07/25/2007 21:23:42 |
|
My 2 older boys never got them as they were too expensive then. My 2 younger boys each got them when they got their drivers licenses and I made them take them whenever they went somewhere. It's also a good way to keep tabs on them as to who they call. You can also tell when they had a girlfreind that they were serious about as they would make sure that they took them wherever they went. Just make sure to get unlimited text messaging!!
|
| Back To Top |
|
| POSTED BY: DavidV on 07/28/2007 20:19:26 |
|
Personally, I think a lot of adults should not have cell phones. They leave the ringer on in theatres.. then they answer them. The do the same in meetings. The talk on them as they drive and veer all over the road. The shout on them in line behind you as if shouting will some how increase signal strength. They think that their "cute" or "cool" ringtones need to be shared by everybody so they let them ring for way too long before answering. So on and so forth....
--------------------------------------------------------------
It's Vegas baby!
|
| Back To Top |
|
| POSTED BY: marc on 07/29/2007 02:36:49 |
|
I personally think the BlueTooth devices should only be worn when ACTUALLY TALKING ON THE PHONE. Alot of people think they are "stylish" or "cool" looking. Not to me... 
--------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to AircraftMechanix.com!
|
| Back To Top |
|
| POSTED BY: av8mxgrl on 07/29/2007 11:05:34 |
|
Kids and cell phones, not needed! There really shouldn't be a time when they are out of the watchful eye of an adult. |
| Back To Top |
|
| POSTED BY: DavidV on 07/30/2007 20:38:43 |
|
Marc, I use a blue tooth device. I think they are great. But unlike the people to whom you are referring, I normally only use it when I am driving or other times when I need my hands free. I think it is odd that people wear them all day long even when they are not talking to anyone. I just imagine we will have to get use to it. We will be assimilated.
--------------------------------------------------------------
It's Vegas baby!
|
| Back To Top |
|
|
|
Logging In......
Favorites
Digg
Del.icio.us
Facebook
Furl
Magnolia
StumbleUpon
Google
Yahoo MyWeb
