Should a 10-Year-Old Have a Cell Phone?
By Adam Hunter, special to MSN Tech & Gadgets
Parents debate buying mobile devices for their preteens.
Robert is a typical 10-year-old. He goes to day camp near his home in Dallas and plays video games with friends. But there’s one thing missing, as far as Robert is concerned: a cell phone. “One of my counselors has a BlackBerry,” Robert says. “I’d really like one.”
If you think age 10 is too young to own a cell phone, you may soon be in the minority. A 2006 study by market research firm the Yankee Group found that if trends continue, more than 50 percent of the "tween" population (8- to 12-year-olds) will be using cell phones by 2010. A study conducted by Jupiter Research found that nearly one-half of children age 12 or 13 will have a cell phone by the end of 2007, while one-third of children age 10 or 11 will have a one in the same period. Boosted by these findings, carriers are developing new ways to reach the SpongeBob set—and to convince skeptical parents that it’s a good idea. Robert’s mother, Mary, isn’t so sure.
“At this age, he is always in the company of adults,” says Mary, who asked that her last name not be used. “He can use their phone if he needs to call me.” Her son started asking for a cell phone when he was 8. “In third grade a few kids in his class got them. Some of their parents just got them to stop the begging.
“It’s just the possession du jour. He’ll want an iPhone next,” Mary says.
If you think age 10 is too young to own a cell phone, you may soon be in the minority. A 2006 study by market research firm the Yankee Group found that if trends continue, more than 50 percent of the "tween" population (8- to 12-year-olds) will be using cell phones by 2010. A study conducted by Jupiter Research found that nearly one-half of children age 12 or 13 will have a cell phone by the end of 2007, while one-third of children age 10 or 11 will have a one in the same period. Boosted by these findings, carriers are developing new ways to reach the SpongeBob set—and to convince skeptical parents that it’s a good idea. Robert’s mother, Mary, isn’t so sure.
“At this age, he is always in the company of adults,” says Mary, who asked that her last name not be used. “He can use their phone if he needs to call me.” Her son started asking for a cell phone when he was 8. “In third grade a few kids in his class got them. Some of their parents just got them to stop the begging.
“It’s just the possession du jour. He’ll want an iPhone next,” Mary says.
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Jenna (last name withheld) from Virginia sees things differently. She recently bought her 5-year-old son, Kaiden, a Firefly, a colorful five-button phone designed specifically for preteens. He can call only programmed numbers: his mom, dad and 911.
“I’m pretty much overprotective,” Jenna says. Kaiden just started kindergarten. “If he’s ever caught in one of the myriad of terrifying scenarios I’ve imagined, I’m only a button away. I think it’s necessary for safety.”
Daniel Neal hopes more parents feel like Jenna. Neal and his two partners founded Kajeet, a pay-as-you-go, no-long-term-contract cell phone service aimed at the tween market. They started selling their products in March. “We don’t believe every kid should have one; that’s a personal decision,” Neal says. “But we felt the marketplace was crying out for a company that understands kids’ point of view.” Kajeet’s phones are “real adult phones,” which appeal to kids, Neal says.
All content on the phone is age-appropriate, and parents can create a “wallet,” or allowance, that permits them to set a limit on minutes per month. “They don’t have to worry about a big bill,” Neal says. The service also offers customizations such as time-of-day restrictions and the ability to block numbers—of bullies and strangers. “It gives kids and their parents peace of mind,” Neal says.
Neal’s 11-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter inspired Kajeet. “They’re at the pool, at music lessons; I’m on the road a lot. I’m busy and they’re busy, and we like to stay in touch.”
Kajeet is far from the only company to seek out mobile-minded youths. Adding to tween-oriented cell phones such as ChatNow, TicTalk, Wherifone and Firefly, Disney and Mattel have begun offering phones and mobile services for kids.
“In general, it’s a good thing to expose kids to technology in a positive way,” Neal says. “Kids' lives are much more complex than 10, 20 years ago.”
