If so, at what age?
These questions are being asked much more frequently because of the increasing advancements and popularity of cell phones. Truth be told the once frowned-upon topic of kids with cell phones has become much more socially accepted. There are now many positive and negative aspects associated with kids having cell phones…
Positive Aspects:
- Kids with cell phones can (or should be able to be) contacted at all times. Are you running late to pickup your son from soccer practice? No problem, just give him a call!
- If kids are in trouble they can call for help. If your child is scared, hurt, lost…then can call you or 911 for help.
Negative Aspects:
- Kids will use their phones as much as possible, likely landing the parents with a hefty bill.
- Popularity of cell phones amongst kids continues to widen the gap between the social classes leading to increased teasing of those without
- Kids will be able to call anyone at anytime, this could also mean international calls and even inappropriate calls to phone psychics and such.
- Kids will not know what to do without a phone, much the way many of us can’t spell without the handy-dandy spell checker.
As you can see, there are many reasons for and against getting a cell phone for kids. The overall positive is the safety of being able to contact kids when needed and them having the power to call you or 911 if there is an emergency. On the negative side, kids will become far too accustomed to always having access to a phone, and may not use it appropriately. Personally, I would not want my child to have a phone, but this is totally up to the parent!
Do your kids have cell phones?
