NBC News report on Kids and Cell phones

So I happened to flip on the NBC news just a bit ago and there was a report on children and cell phones.  According to the report; the Center on Media and Child Health said that within the next 3 years, 54% of 8-12 year olds will have cell phones.  This isn’t all that surprising to me because of how fast the mobile market is growing, plus in my town, younger kids have cell phones(it’s sad).  Cell phone makers are always up on the times, that is why Motorola and other cheap phone companies are churning out so many crappy(kid phones).  RIM is also beginning to market towards more of the public and the younger and female demographics in my opinion with phones like; the Kickstart(8220) and Storm(9500).

As far as the reason children should have cell phones, parents like to know that they can get a hold of their children whenever they want, and be able to know where they are.  It’s for safety and security mostly, so they say.  A Verizon sales rep who was interviewed on the report said that as far as age goes for deciding whether your child should have a cell phone, you should take when and where your child will be in to consideration and if they will be alone.  They also mention the cost of phones and plans as well as restrictions on plans.

in my opinion, times are changing and although I don’t believe it’s necessary for children under 8-9 year olds to have cell phones I do support it.  Furthermore, it is completely unnecessary for kids to have iPhones and other nice phones, except for Blackberries hehe, because it’s just another liability for the child to break it, or robbed etc.  Also, with allowing young children have cell phones at school for safety they will be able to text and be disruptive in class because lets face it, kids are pretty tech savvy.  Other phone options for kids are simple call only phones like Firefly or LG Migo.  These phones allow kids to only receive calls from certain numbers and only make calls to certain numbers and emergency calls.

If you are a parent in my town of Yorba Linda, Ca, you are a bit stuck up, and you don’t feel comfortable with your child walking around with an ugly Migo, carriers such as T Mobile have restricted plans like their new Family Allowances plan.  This plan allows you to control how many minutes, texts and downloads each phone can use.  Another option is prepaid plans so you don’t encounter crazy overages and your kids phones won’t be under contract.

Original report NBC