Reach out and touch?
© IamSAM.
Cellphones are everywhere aren't they? I knew when Disney got in the market for cell phones, the trickle down to kids would be fast and furious.
My daughter can use my phone as well as I can, she can handle all the basics and can even find how to get online now. Shame I don't have a plan for that and it is by the minute. She is of course clamoring for her own phone and that isn't going to happen anytime soon.
We've always said she can get one in middle school if she is involved in after-school activities. I think that's fair – being able to call home if practice is rained out is a decent use for a phone.
However we know kids who have phones at 10 already.
One child has a phone because she walks to school. Wait so if someone tries to harm her, she's going to stop and dial the number for home or 911? Seems like long range walkie-talkies would be a safer way to go in that case.
Another child we know has a phone because her parents travel for work a lot and sometimes people forget who is on schedule to pick her up from practice. HUH? Your kid gets a cell phone because you can't manage your life well?
I suppose I'm being overly critical but what age do you all think is appropriate for children to have their own cell phone? Would you let your child have a texting plan or a camera phone?
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:56 am
I agree w.you about the walkie-talkies, but I also think cell phones have become the norm vs. a luxury.
The one thing I’ve seen that I really like is the phone that allows you to program three numbers in, and that’s it.
If soccer practice is cancelled, you can call mom, dad, or Auntie so-and-so for a ride home. No texting friends at age 10, no calling just for the sake of calling. It seems to be an emergencies only solution.