Cell Phone for Kids - A Good Idea?

Q. Dear Bracha, What age is appropriate to get cell phones for kids? It seems like every kid has a cell phone these days, but is it really necessary?

A. This question ties in with most other costly new fangled items that we used to live perfectly fine without. As with most of these items, the question evolves around need versus want.

Is it really necessary for your child to have a cell phone? The answer in most cases is no. He is in no danger; the environment he lives in is safe. Next, do you need to communicate with him on a regular basis? Is he prone to sudden illness? Does he drive a car and you're worried it might break down or that he might have an accident? These are all important questions to think about when you debate if a cell phone for kids is necessary.

The first order of business is to decide on the basis of true need. Simply making the decision about cell phone for kids from talking to your friends, or because everyone else has one is not a need. There are a lot of people without cell phones, including adults. Some people make a decision not to have one as the convenience is out weighed by the annoyance and cost. Most calls can wait until a person gets home or they can find a pay phone if need to.

My answer in general is that children do not NEED a cell phone and should not have one in the elementary school age. Teenagers may feel they can't live without one. This is up to the parents and it should be noted that the teen will have to pay for any cell phone on their own. If a cell is that important to them, make sure they get the bills every month and look them over. They should be required to hand you a check right there every month so that they can get a good feel for how much it's costing. Also, even though they will be paying for the cell themselves, any inappropriate use of the cell will cause its removal; they should be very aware of this.

One more thing, if you're going to have cell phones for kids, please talk to them about cell phone etiquette. So many people out there need it. Very often, when a person uses a cell, he acts like he is in the privacy of his own home, not in the middle of a shopping mall. I have heard people shouting in the middle of a crowded store, having an argument with someone on their cell. If they were aware of what they were revealing to total strangers, I'm sure they would be quite embarrassed.

I hope I have been able to guide you in your decision about cell phones for kids. These guidelines should help you to steer your family away from some of the pitfalls of this innovative tool. Wishing you and your family all the best - Bracha