Does Your Pre-teen Really Need a Cell Phone?
submitted: May 9th 2008 |
by: Dr.NoelSwanson |
Total views: 2 |
Word Count: 426 |
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It's question many parents are asking. Should your preteen have a cell phone? If you ask the modern media, every child, no matter the age, should have a cell phone. They think it's just part of being a person to have your own cell phone. But for a parent the question is a little different, trying to decide if it's time for their child to have a phone of their own.
In some areas, like New York, education officials have taken care of the problem, stating children cannot have cell phones in class. Parents who thought their kids should be able to have a phone fought the district, even holding demonstrations saying their kids should be able to have a phone in order to get in contact with their parents in time of need. Do you agree with them?
While cell phones used to be just items that were around in case you needed to make an emergency call, now everyone is using them more than they are using regular phones. What should you do? It depends on your feelings. You know your child and can decide if they need a phone or not.
However you do need to know what the new phones are capable of before purchasing as many of them have advanced features such as cameras, MP3 players and text capabilities. This makes them more than a phone and actually a full on media center.
The question is whether all these peripherals are necessary for a preteen? Though parents and children think they are necessary, the truth of the matter is that a cell phone should be used only in an emergency. All the other features can wait to be exploited and utilized. Of course, it is difficult to convince your preteen on this subject. But, you must try and explain all the same. That means you as a parent have to decide whether a cell phone is a luxury or a necessity for your preteen.
While considering purchasing your pre-teen a cell phone, bear in mind the costs involved. Perhaps it would be better bundled in with your family plan. Most will allow you to add additional phones and choose how many minutes of usage are allowed. Stick with the basics and don't worry about the extras like voice mail and call display.
Try not to be swayed by other's opinions. It is your child and untimately your decision to make. On the other hand you may have difficulty explaining to your child why you can have a cell phone and they can't.
About the Author
For more articles full of parenting advice by Dr. Noel Swanson, why not visit his parenting advice website?
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