Cell phones for tweens

Posted by Heidi Shelton-Jenck Oct 21, 2006

Does your 8 – 12 year-old need a cell phone? Or, do they just want one because some of their friends have one?

The answer to this probably depends on where you live and how independent your tween is. Many parents believe their children are safer with a cell phone. Some even call it a lifeline. When cell phones were banned in New York City public schools in Spring 2006, parents protested. Many said their families needed cell phones to keep track of each other. Some worried about their tweens riding public transportation alone to school. They argued that pay phones are difficult to find and believe cell phones are a matter of personal safety. The NYC public schools, on the other hand, argued that cell phones are too distracting.

Cell phones were recently banned from some schools in my community and only a few parents protested (although the kids weren't happy about it!). Most of the tweens around here walk or ride in a carpool to school. Parents aren't too worried about safety where I live.

My 11-year-old thinks he needs a cell phone. His list of reasons:

• two of his friends have one and he thinks it would be cool
• he can call us if something scary happens to him when we aren’t around
• he could take pictures of things he wants to remember or show us later

None of these reasons are compelling enough to convince me to buy him a cell phone. We live in the suburbs and my kids ride everywhere in the mommy-taxi. When my tweens are separated from me, there is always a free phone nearby or another parent with a cell phone.

If a cell phone seems like a good idea for your family, there are lots of options for tween-friendly cell phones. Some advertise themselves as developmentally appropriate for kids, promoting the security and safety aspects of their products. Companies are figuring out that pre-teen kids are mobile and independent. That can be pretty scary for parents. Most of these phones seem to be simple to use and include parent controls. Check out the product reviews of some of these kid phones. Have you tried any of them? You probably won't convince me that my son needs a cell phone, but I'd like to hear what you think about them.

• parent controlled TicTalk Mobile Phone
• 5-key Firefly Mobile Phone
• Wherifone GPS locator phone
• Chat Now communication system
• Disney Mobile
• MyScene Mobile

What do you think about tweens and cell phones? Does yours need one or want one?Tell us what you think in the Cell phones for tweens Poll or start a discussion.