Sep 8, 2008 10:49 pm US/Central
When Should Kids Get A Cell Phone?
(WCCO)
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Keep in mind texting is a big part of what children use phones for these days.
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Cell phones are as much a part of the teenage wardrobe as the blue jeans they wear. Some studies show roughly 60 percent of teenagers have a cell phone.
That's not the case in the Rasmussen family.
"I would say it's a frequent topic of conversation," said Carrie Rasmussen, mother of two.
The Rasmussen's decided their children don't need phones until they turn 16.
"I'm kind of jealous, yeah kind of want one," said Carrie's 14-year-old son Greyson.
"I want one but you know I can wait," said 11-year-old Brynn Rasmussen. "I'm fine without one."
We found a few experts, like Tim Wolfe, to share their tips on when children should get a cell phone. Wolfe works for Verizon Wireless and learned a few lessons after buying a phone for his teenage nephew.
Is Your Child Ready?
He said the biggest factor for a parent to consider is your child's level of responsibility.
"Do they do their chores on time? Do they have their homework done? If they do, they're probably showing the responsibility that yes, they can have a phone," he said.
After Sept. 11, many parents said they felt safer giving their children a phone. They wanted a way to contact their children. If that's what you're looking for consider a prepaid phone. They start as low as $50.
Prepaid phones limit the minutes, even the numbers, your children can call, but they don't always allow texting.
Still want something affordable, with more options and that you can control? You may want to consider the Fly Phone by Firefly. It starts at $100 and allows texting, games and music downloads.
Keep in mind texting is a big part of what children use phones for these days.
"My nephew text messages a lot more than he talks," said Wolfe.
Some teenagers say they send 15,000 text messages in a month. If you don't get unlimited texting when you buy the phone, it could really add up.
Set Limits
Many cell phone plans let you set up parameters through their company Web sites. T-Mobile has a family allowance plan that lets you set limits for minutes, messages and downloads.
So ask about your provider about your ability to shut down phone service after certain hours or keeping track of the actual numbers even messages that your child sends.
Many parents worry that cell phones will be a distraction in school.
"Yes, well, but so," said Greyson.
Ten-year-old Samantha Norton said many of her friends already have cell phones.
People do bring their phones and they do get distracted a lot at school," she said.
Norton's parents won't let her get a phone until she's 14.
"I'm not allowed to have my cell phone at school," said 15-year-old Taylor Fritchley.
Fritchley said if her mother sees a call on the bill during school hours, her phone is taken away.
Carrie Rasmussen worries that a cell phone would mean she wouldn't always know where her children are located.
"It's OK if they call me from a landline because with caller ID, I truly know where they are instead of from a cell phone," she said. "With a cell phone I could see that they're calling me but they may not be where they say they are."
GPS Let's Parents Spy
Remember all cell phones now have GPS capabilities. For a nominal fee, many companies let you access that information. For example, Sprint has a "Family Locator" Plan. For $9.99 a month you can locate up to four phones by simply logging into a computer.
Verizon's Chaperone plan costs about the same. Only with this plan you set up different zones.
"Once the child leaves that zone -- say the school -- an automatic text message will be sent to the parent letting them know the child has left that zone," said Wolfe.
Trending Younger
A recent study shows 54 percent of children between the ages of 8 and 12 will have a cell phone in the next three years. However, if you stop to think about it, that means 46 percent of parents still think that's too young. So you're not alone if you don't want your kids to be totally connected.
"I understand there are situations where it makes sense, it just isn't a need in our family," said mother Carrie Rasmussen. "I trust our kids, they're good kids and they're being very respectful waiting and being patient. I appreciate that."
What Do You Think?
We want to know what you think. How old should kids be before they get a cell phone? Weigh in and learn more on how to compare cell phone plans, plus which phones are best for kids on Terri's blog.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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