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Home › Articles › Back to School Headquarters › Cell Phones for Kids?

Cell Phones for Kids?

Do Kids Really Need Cell Phones?

By Greg Taillon

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"Mom, when can I get a cell phone?" Suddenly low-cost or free cell phones with low monthly services and unlimited long-distance services are saturating the marketplace. Millions of parents and students own cell phones. Many parents purchase add-ons to their cell phone agreements to allow for extra phones and shared minutes with their children.

For most image-conscious children, owning a cell phone is a sign of maturity and a status symbol. For parents, it is a convenient way to monitor their children, especially if they are picking them up from school or extra-curricular activities.

School Policy
It is important to note, however, that most public schools have strict policies regarding cell phones at school. I decided to interview some middle school children in a middle-class community regarding cell phones in school. I found out that some instructors will deduct up to 5 percent of a child's grade for a ringing cell phone in the classroom.

Most public schools are now – or will be – including cell phones in school policies and student handbooks. Less talk time means more academic productivity. There is no place for ring tones and cell phone use in the classroom. The less distraction, the more productive work gets done. A cell-phone-wielding student in a class is a distraction for others. Most schools have cell free zones. Phones may only be used in the parking lots, bus drop offs and parent pick-up locations.

Regardless of school policies, I estimate up to 75 percent of middle school children have their own cell phone. This percentage rises in the high school years – and it can't be just any cell phone, as color, size and ring tones are most important. The smaller the phone, the better, and students are willing to pay extra for "cool" ring tones that can be downloaded off the Internet. These polyphonic ring tones, which today's youth are willing to pay dearly for, are a constant irritation for many, and contribute to today's noise pollution. If cell use for kids is absolutely necessary, it is recommended that they be set on vibrate if that feature is available.


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