Recently I read a very interesting article about children and mobile phone usage. As my kids get older I have been thinking about when they should have a cell phone and for what purpose. Meaning to stay in contact with their parents, their friends, play games, listen to music or 20 other things?
Americans are beginning their "always-on" habits at a younger and younger age, according to the "American Kids Study" from Mediamark Research & Intelligence’s (MRI’s) as reported by eMarketer.
I was shocked to read that more than one-third of 10-to-11-year-olds in the US owned a mobile phone in 2009, compared with 20% in 2005. That is a huge increase over a 4 year period. Ownership among kids ages 6 to 11 rose from 11.9% to 20% over the same time period.
It was also interesting to read that in 2007, ownership among boys was 12.4%, while 18.6% of girls had a mobile phone. I assume this has more to do with security than maturity?
Penetration increased for both groups, but ownership among males increased faster, helping them catch up and narrow the gender gap to 18.3% versus 21.8%.
"Preliminary data suggests that boys and girls may use their phones differently," noted Anne Marie Kelly, SVP, marketing and strategic planning at MRI, in a statement. "Girls are more apt to make calls and send text messages while boys are more likely to instant message, access the Internet and download games, music and video."
- What do you think is the perfect age for your child to have a cell phone?
- Does it differ by gender?
- Do you restrict their usage to certain times of the day?
- What applications like texting, music, and games do you allow them to have?
I look forward to reading your comments.
Patricia says:
We are using the entrance to middle school as the appropriate age for the kids to have a cell phone. Once in middle school, there are more instances where the kids are a little more independent and it is nice to know that we can call and know exactly where they are. We allow texting but they know that we are monitoring – they don’t have access to the Internet via phone. They have iPods for music and game systems, but no Internet access on a non-monitored computer.
Fee Sepahi says:
Hi Merrill.
Similar to Patricai, my daughter got her phone with entrance into 5th grade, which in our township is the start of middle school.
The use of it during school is restricted by the school, so that’s a no brainier. Outside of school, she would be stuck to it like glue, if she can find the thing….but she’s pretty responsible about limiting her usage to the time after she’s done her school work, swimming etc. She is 11 so internet connectivity was not an issue nor did we support it. She has access to music and internet via the laptop she has at home, which is also restricted usage. It’s not as much about her as it is about all other creeps. We do monitor her email and she is seemingly responsible to communicate with us, should something odd show up in her inbox. She mostly uses her phone to call us or her friends about home work and play dates, on the weekends.
Yes, I too am nervous about her having all this exposure to online all the time, but alas I do believe this is their future to create and
with the right foundation, the phone, internet etc. these will be valuable, intimate tools, as they develop their own way.
Fee
LS says:
We have a 9 year old boy who has been asking (well, begging) for a cell phone for months now. In fact, the top item on his Christmas list this year was “Blackberry”. His main argument for why he’s entitled to one: everyone else in his class has one (said with very dramatic emphasis on “everyone”). Once he becomes more independent, I’m sure we’ll change our minds but for now we’re still holding out (and Santa agreed).
stacey hurwitz says:
As with Patricia and Fee we allowed our children to get a phone the day they started middle school – which is 6th grade here. They are not allowed to use them in school and thus only use them after school and weekends. I would say they text more than they actually speak on them and we limit it to just phone and text – no internet access, even though the phone has the capabilities. Again. like others they have itouch and computers for internet and music. There is a lot more independence at this stage and many times when they need to reach us for rides and such. It is nice to be able to reach them at any time. Our younger children ask for phones all the time and some of there friends do have them at younger ages. However, we are sticking to the beginning of middle school for them to get a phone.
Amy Shields says:
I might have a different take on this one. My two oldest kids (sons, age 24 and 22 now) have cell phones by age 15. My third child (daughter, age 18 now) had one at age 13. My youngest (daughter, age 9 now) already has one. There are a few reasons for this: A) Technology is an absolute part of kids every-day life today; they have grown up with computers (and know how to use them long before entering grade school), with iPods, cell phones, etc. What child under the age of 16 hasn’t literally grown up seeing cell phones be an integral part of their parents, grandparents, siblings, etc, communication process? B) (And most important.) With the addition of the “family tracker” to almost all cell phones, it was a NO BRAINER for ME to want my daughter to have a device that allows me to know where she is at all times. The $20 a month it costs me is well worth the peace of mind. (I haven’t used the function, by the way; it’s not so I can “keep track” of her, but is in the case of an emergency/if she ever wasn’t where she was supposed to be…God forbid.) Now, in fairness; I have a very responsible 9 year old (I want to be just like her when I grow up), and there are strict rules that she has followed beautifully, for example; she’s not allowed to use the phone to call anyone other than those I’ve pre-programmed (family and friends) and have approved her to call; her friends are not allowed to use or touch the phone; she’s not allowed to browse (which I’d know about when I get the bill); I have texting blocked, etc. My decision had nothing to do with her desire to have a cell, but everything to do with the peace of mind her having a cell phone brings me.
Lynn Stalone says:
My daughter is 17 and she’s had a mobile phone for about 5 years. Initially, it was to take when she went to a friend’s house and such, then certainly became more of a fixture. She’s now had a Blackberry for more than 2 years.
As with most kids, she went through a period where she was glued to the phone, but that changed after about a year. Now, my daughter actually will now tune her phone out for periods of time, as well. I think she is simply more mature in her use. The world isn’t going to end if she doesn’t look at her phone for an hour… It’s nice to go somewhere with her and have her say she’s leaving her phone at home because she doesn’t need it!
We do have some rules. The phone is for communication, not music and 500 apps. Text is fine, e-mail is great. But, it’s not a toy and should not be a source of gaming or other entertainment – you need a life. And, she’s got a computer& IPOD for music and such. Of course, no phone use while driving – even hands-free.
As for age, I cringe when I see little kids (6-9) with cell phones – and in the OC, that’s pretty common. Let them be kids for a while, the pressures of an always-connected world are coming soon enough!
The other thing that you didn’t touch on which is a bit troubling is the use of the mobile phone is an extension of the “helicopter parent” syndrome. We all know them, and the mobile phone allows these types of parents to call their kids incessantly, require texts every hour, etc. – allowing them to hover even more than they already do.
Overall, I have to agree that middle school is about the right time for limited mobile phone use. They need to get it and learn the right times to use the phone. As parents, we need to set good examples for usage and – more than anything – mobile phone etiquette and abuse. There is a lot more here than meets the eye. When and where it is cool to use your phone versus when it is flat out rude. The fact that text should never be used for something you wouldn’t say to a person’s face (many people feel text is almost anonymous and will text all kinds of crazy stuff).
At the end of the day, parents ARE responsible for the kids’ mobile use – no differently than internet/e-mail/chat/etc., mobile use has to be monitored, discussed and given a clearly defined set of rules.
Brian Ottum says:
My kids got phones by 14, and having them has provided peace of mind and greater coordination. However, teens seem to use the phones 99% to connect with friends and only 1% to connect with mom and dad. BEWARE of predatory practices by the providers. Texts cost them fractions of a cent, yet they charge 10-25 cents if you go over your “package.” Teens go over their “package” often. And don’t get me started on them losing & breaking fones.
The unpleasant monthly surprises in the bill have caused me to threaten to give my 20 and 17 year olds each $600 at the beginning of each year so they can manage their phones totally by themselves. If you are thinking of getting your child a phone, realize that it is going to cost you $600/year, at best.
Steve Gentile says:
whew – I thought you were going ask “How many of you “follow” your kids on Twitter!”
Steve Gentile says:
I should say that some are opting NOT to have a phone, feeling the TMI and “need” to constantly be in touch with EVERYONE.
Kids – Go figure.
Merrill Dubrow says:
Steve,
Don’t laugh – that’s actually a good idea and maybe a future blog topic!
Thanks.
Merrill
chris hauck says:
Unlike most of you, we really aren’t there yet. Our kids 11, 10 and 4 still use us as taxi service to get around, and they aren’t so booked that we need them to call us to come get picked up. but, we do live in a pretty small, walkable town, and their little worlds are pretty much entirely in a very small (say 1/4 mile) radius of home. So worst case, should it ever come to it, they can walk home (not the 4 yr old of course). I love the find you feature….there are times when I can see that would be great….but luckily it hasn’t been necessary. That said, the older ones are among the few 4 or 5 graders who don’t have one and they use that all the time. So I tell them to borrow their friend’s phone when they need to call…..
Magda Ayoub Cooling says:
My Son received his phone once he hit 7th Grade, Middle School. Our 5th Grade Daughter received one a few months later. They have phones for safety as they usually walk/ride their bikes to & from School and are occasionally ‘latch-key kids’. They do not have texting nor do they have Internet access on the phones and they must share Minutes – we are such mean parents. They are both quite responsible with their Phones.
Lucy Haydu says:
I have no children, but I feel there are quite a few adults that should be banned from having a phone. People need to understand, regardless of age, that cell phones are a luxury in life, not a necessity. Everyone can go an hour or two without it on, amazes me how many people text/talk during meetings and conferences.
Common Sense/Good Judgement:
1) Don’t talk and drive (and for sure, don’t text and drive)
2) Don’t talk on it in the company of others, let it go to voice mail
I think it is a good thing that children have phones, and like Amy stated, it’s probably more for the parent’s peace of mind. If I had children, they’d have one (with rules).
For a little humor, view Louis CK on this video, he has thoughts on phones, including rotaries, and travel, that todays generation cannot imagine….hmmm, maybe I’m dating myself??
http://videogum.com/archives/late-night/the-videogum-louis-ck-promise_025272.html