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Should kids have cell phones?

I am a middle school teacher in a low-income district, yet the vast majority of my students carry cell phones.  It can be a battle to fight off the text messaging, but it's no worse than passing notes.  What concerns me are the deeper sociological issues connected to this.  For instance, the use of cell phones, the viewing of mature movies, the scandelous clothes, the use of social networking sites - all of this points to a dissapearnace of childhood.  As I watch my two year old, I want him to be a kid and not have to worry about cell phones or brand name clothes.  In addition, I think the cell phones and iPods can make people selfish and self-centered.  They grow up in an instant-gratificication society.  Finally, I fear that the technology can diminish the human side of relationships.  Instead of meeting in person, hang out in person and text message those who are not in person. 

That leaves me with a nagging question (especially as my sons grow up).  At what point should a child get a cell phone?  (I personally do not have one and I am content abstaining from it, but I know that it's crazy of me to think my son will adopt the same stance.) 

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Posted: Saturday, July 14, 2007 8:43 PM by jtspencer
Comments

jeNZ said:

My sons are 16 and 17 and are quite content not to have a cellphone but they hardly have social lives either.  In NZ we have had some sad cases of text bullying via cell phones (usually girls) and one suicide that was directly related to this.  My big concern about cell phones is their ability to take very good photos, even video, in secrecy and the fact that these can posted to the web very quickly.  

# July 15, 2007 5:02 AM

Betty said:

I think that cell phones are beneficial if used responsibly.  I use my cell phone all of the time and seldom use my home phone.  For kids, there is also the safety issue.  Once they start driving or going out with friends, cell phones give them a way to call for help or let parents know where they are.  Plus, their parents can call them if they aren't home by curfew time.  

# July 15, 2007 9:42 AM

sellen said:

I got my kids cell phones when they started to drive, around 15 yrs. I think kids who are younger may not be responsible. For example, this year seven of my 24 second grade students had cell phones. One kid brought his to school, showed it around, and it was stolen! I told the rest of the kids that if they brought their cell phones to school I'd take them and their parents would have to come pick them up.

I also asked some of the kids why they even had cell phones, and their answer was "Because I wanted it."  It's amazing that some parents will give their kids anything they want.(except time) That's probably why so many kids are so materialistic. (These kids came from middle to lower class homes)

# July 15, 2007 11:01 AM

MysteryTeacher said:

My 4th graders carry cell phones.  They use them to check in with their parents after school.  I am assuming that their parents must be leaving them home alone because they both work.  Many of our parents don't or can't afford sitters or after school care.  If one of my students cell goes off during class, I take it away and give it back after school reminding them of the importance of turning them off during school.  I also tell them they are against the rules and if they are stolen, it is their responsibility.  It could be an expensive responsibility.  

I don't really like cell phones in school but we live in such an unsafe world.  I know about text bullying and I guess I would take the phone away from my child if it were happening.  My kids carried pagers, not cell phones.

# July 15, 2007 11:25 PM

Alexa said:

Parents,

I think 6th grade and up should be able to have cell phones!

# April 21, 2008 8:07 AM
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