Posted on: Thursday, September 29, 2005
Will your pre-teen use cell phone well?
By Doug Worgul
Knight Ridder News Service
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Candie's will produce cell phone covers for Motorola that will be marketed as accessories that match teens' clothing and shoes.
HAI DO | Gannett News Service
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WHAT TO BE AWARE OF If you decide that your child is ready for a cell phone, here are things to watch for: Be especially wary of Web-enabled phones. These allow users access to the Internet. This means your child may be visiting sites you may not approve of when you're not there to supervise. Popular games made for cell phones can be expensive to download, and costs can add up quickly. Consider a phone that requires a PIN restricting the numbers that may be called. This prevents the phone from being used primarily for socializing, Web surfing or games. |
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The only reason your 'tween wants a cell phone is that she might need to call you in an emergency. Really, Mom. That's the only reason.
Really.
And she promises she'll take care of it and won't lose it. And she won't use it at school. And she'll pay for it. Well, she'll help pay for it.
Really.
The telecom companies certainly seem to think it's a good idea for her to have a cell phone, you know, in case of emergencies. They have all kinds of special plans to make it easy and affordable.
But you're not sure, are you? You're not sure she's ready for the responsibility. And you're not sure you're ready to lose her to whomever it is she'll be talking to every waking minute on her sleek little silver cell.
Lynne Reeves Griffin, a child development and behavior specialist in Scituate, Mass., says a child's use of the Internet is a useful indicator of her readiness for a cell phone. Griffin, executive director of Proactive Parenting, suggests that if a child misuses or overuses a computer, video games or the Internet she is not mature enough for a cell phone.
Griffin says that another way to evaluate your child's ability to handle the responsibility of a cell phone is to loan her your cell phone for periods of time. If she manages the responsibility well and wisely, she may be ready.
Here are some other questions to ask yourself when considering a cell phone for your adolescent:
Is she reliable and responsible? Does she exercise self-discipline? Does she abide by family and household rules? Does she perform household chores without nagging?
Does she demonstrate good judgment? Is she impulsive? Can she resist peer pressure?
Is she trustworthy? Does she do what she says she'll do?
Is she courteous and respectful of others?
Does she keep track of and take good care of her things?
Does she save and spend her money wisely? Or is she always borrowing money?
Can she afford it?
Can you afford it?
Have you anticipated the changes in her social behavior that may result from a cell phone? Will a cell phone divert her attention from family, homework and other important relationships and activities?
Finally, if your child insists that a cell phone will be useful in case she needs to call you when she'll be home late, will having a cell phone encourage her to be late, since she can always just call and let you know?
