Should children have their own cellphones? It's a tricky question that most parents face these days. A lot of children and teenagers do have a mobile phone. Deciding whether or not to get one for your child has to involve weighing up the advantages and disadvantages.
Your child's safety is a good argument in favor of cellphones. Knowing your child can always be reached is reassuring for a parent. By the same token, the child knows that help is always available at the touch of a button.
There's a GPS facility in some cellphones that makes them interesting, too. With GPS, if your child goes missing you'll still be able to find his or her location. All these arguments would support your decision to purchase a cellphone for your child.
However, you might feel that your child is not responsible enough for a personal phone. Although you might get a cellphone for emergencies only, you could soon find that your dear offspring has run up a huge bill chatting to friends. Preteens and teenagers have a reputation for this.
Restricting your child to sending text messages might seem good economical sense. However, a lot of youngsters soon become addicted to this as well, so you end up with the same problem. Texting can't be put forward as an argument in favor of buying a cellphone, then.
Only you can make the right, informed decision about when your child is ready for a cellphone. Knowing your child is the key here.
You need to retain parental control, too. Be sure to set limits on how the phone will be used.
Should you decide not to buy your child a mobile phone, don't let anyone change your mind. You've put thought and your child's best interests into making that decision. Don't be talked round by your child or anyone else. You are the parent and you will decide when the time is right.
Your child's safety is a good argument in favor of cellphones. Knowing your child can always be reached is reassuring for a parent. By the same token, the child knows that help is always available at the touch of a button.
There's a GPS facility in some cellphones that makes them interesting, too. With GPS, if your child goes missing you'll still be able to find his or her location. All these arguments would support your decision to purchase a cellphone for your child.
However, you might feel that your child is not responsible enough for a personal phone. Although you might get a cellphone for emergencies only, you could soon find that your dear offspring has run up a huge bill chatting to friends. Preteens and teenagers have a reputation for this.
Restricting your child to sending text messages might seem good economical sense. However, a lot of youngsters soon become addicted to this as well, so you end up with the same problem. Texting can't be put forward as an argument in favor of buying a cellphone, then.
Only you can make the right, informed decision about when your child is ready for a cellphone. Knowing your child is the key here.
You need to retain parental control, too. Be sure to set limits on how the phone will be used.
Should you decide not to buy your child a mobile phone, don't let anyone change your mind. You've put thought and your child's best interests into making that decision. Don't be talked round by your child or anyone else. You are the parent and you will decide when the time is right.
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