Preteens and Cell Phones

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by: Dr.NoelSwanson
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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.

You do need to understand how cell phones are used. They are not just used to make calls. Many are very advanced communications devices. You can take photos, play music on them, send text messages to other people, they really are not as much phones as small portable computers.

And while your pre-teen may feel that they need all these features, do they really at their age? Probably they just need a true emergency phone to use in very specific times. Judge this by seeing how they react to your suggestion to this effect and see if they truly do want it only for emergencies or for something else.

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 parenting advice by author Dr. Noel Swanson, why not check out his parenting advice website?

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<h1>Preteens and Cell Phones</h1> <p> 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.<br /><br />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?<br /><br />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.<br /><br />You do need to understand how cell phones are used. They are not just used to make calls. Many are very advanced communications devices. You can take photos, play music on them, send text messages to other people, they really are not as much phones as small portable computers.<br /><br />And while your pre-teen may feel that they need all these features, do they really at their age? Probably they just need a true emergency phone to use in very specific times. Judge this by seeing how they react to your suggestion to this effect and see if they truly do want it only for emergencies or for something else.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />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. <h2>About the Author</h2> For more <a href = 'http://www.good-child-guide.com/expert-parenting-tips'>parenting advice</a> by author Dr. Noel Swanson, why not check out his <a href = 'http://www.good-child-guide.com'>parenting advice</a> website? </p>

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