Kids and Cell Phones

The recent reports that Disney is planning to lauch a cell phone service, possibly targetting kids as young as age 8, has put the issue of cell phones for kids in the spotlight.

In our family, there are two very differing opinions on this issue. Our eight year old wants a cell phone already, which isn't too bad, because it distracts him from the fact that he also wants a dog, but I don't think he needs one yet.

At what age are kids ready for their own cell phone?

At what age do they 'need' one?

Many schools, including those in New York City, are banning cell phones, so your child may not be able to have or use the phone during the time when he is most likely to be away from home.

The Firefly Phone, which is a popular 'first phone' for younger kids, is now available from Cingular Wireless, so you could simply add it on to your FamilyTalk plan. Although the Firefly Phone is a 'real, functional cell phone,' pre-teens and teens likely won't think so, and they will probably want a regular cell phone.

Other new phones for younger kids that allow a lot of parent control include Enfora's TicTalk, which includes educational games from LeapFrog, and Wherify Wirefless Wherifone GPS Locator phone (not available yet).

Unlike other parenting problems, most of us can't really think back to our own childhood to see how our parents handled this issue. After all, cell phones weren't around when most of us were kids.

For many parents, a cell phone just seems like something else that their kids will nag them about getting, such as an iPod, Xbox, or new laptop.

Teens and tweens likely see the cell phone issue differently, imagining that getting a cell phone is a step towards independence and a status symbol among their friends.