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http://voices.yahoo.com/should-buy-cellphone-child-1270339.html?cat=25
"Should You Buy a Cellphone for Your Child?"
Staying in Touch
Have you ever looked for a pay phone recently? If you have then you have most likely noticed that it can be very hard to find a pay phone these days. If you do happen to find a pay phone you will usually find the phone does not work or is very difficult to hear on.
You as have I probably noticed in the news in recent years there have been more school shootings also other crimes in other areas. Such as shootings in malls or fast food places or even in factories or offices.
Something else we have probably both noticed is this that there appears to be fewer pay phones available for anyone to use. Which can be very bad for those who do not have access to at least a cellphone.
For the above mentioned reason I believe it is very important for anyone who will be out for any lenghth of time to have a cellphone including children.
I don't however believe that very young children need a cellphone, I think that a child needs to at least be able to read and speak clearly. The child also needs to be responsible not using the phone for a play toy.
I would say that if your child is at least ten with activities outside the home that a cellphone is needful. Because of the fact there are not as many working pay phones as there used to be.
A cellphone can be helpful also for keeping in touch with your child.
For instance if your child is late coming home you can call to find out why. If your child gets out of class or off work early then they can call and let you know to come early to pick them up. Instead of leaving with someone else, or walking.
If your child is responsible using his or her cellphone only as needed or during free time (many cellphone providers have days or hours that are free) then I would say it is good to buy their minutes for them.
On the other hand if your child is wasteful using up all their allotted minutes ahead of time then some consquenses need to be applied. Even loosing the priviledge of going out somewhere they would of otherwise been allowed to go.
One option that I think is a good idea is to make your child earn minutes through added chores. This can help your child see the value of being conservative with their minutes. Especially if the chores you add are increased whenever your child goes over the amount of time you have previouly told them they had. Within reason of course.
Now if your child has a job of any kind they should buy their own minutes. Unless you have very good reason for buying these minutes for them instead.
The reason being this if your child buys their own minutes then they will normally be more careful with their minutes.
I do recommend calling cards for cellphones especially for children. Because of the fact many times a child is still learning time management. So it is better to have a preset amount of time they can use without causing a major bill. By going over on minutes. With the prepaid cards you don't go over.
When you have used up all the minutes the minutes are gone. Requiring you to buy a new calling card.
A cellphone can be a great way to stay in touch with your child when they are out of the home. For any reason, whether to a ballgame, a school event, camp, work, or just at the mall.
A cellphone can also be a life saver if you or your teenage driver happen to breakdown in an area where you know no one.
Also a cellphone can be helpful if you want to call someone who would otherwise be long distance. Not everyone has free long distance.
It is my opinion that a child needs a cellphone just as much as an adult if that child will be out somewhere without you. If for no other reason than peace of mind.
Stay in touch keep a cell phone handy is a good motto for the active on the go family.
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