Mobile Phones for Younger Children

When children move up from primary to secondary school, it’s become standard practice to give them their own personal mobile phone. The phone should be sturdy enough, cool enough and cheap enough, so if they lose it or break it, no harm done.

According to a survey conducted six months ago in September 2012, 75% of children in Great Britain 10 years or younger carry a mobile phone!

Kids have different mobile phone needs than their parents or older siblings do, who love to text each other (from about 10 years and above). Younger children love the music feature, camera, and large accessible buttons to make phone calls with. Internet access is probably not necessary at this stage.

The culture of mobile telephones among children has become quite a phenomenon. In the olden days, children used to carry portable transistor radios, a calculator for solving math problems and sometimes a small pocket camera. This is all changed. The mobile telephone has become an all in one lifestyle accessory, with a pretty carrying case and personalizing decorations like stickers, charms, and covers. It is not only a status symbol, they are highly practical. “Mom I’m at my friend’s house,” later to be followed by “Come home in a jiffy, it’s time to eat.” Ah, the joys of modern technology!

When it comes to financing a kids’ mobile telephone usage, the prepaid plan is recommended. Paying as you go discourages a sky’s the limit mentality.

Applications are another matter. Games can be used as a reward system for doing their homework, and parents now must control that the child doesn’t put the cart before the horse. Most schools require them silent while school is in session.

Improved technology has resulted in worsened communication skills. This is something that media experts are looking into, the long term effects of this digital generation. Proactive parents need to both embrace the new technology and encourage verbal communication skills for greater confidence and social skills.

Suggested mobile phones for children include the Nokia 100, Nokia Asha 201,

LG Optimus L3, Motorola Defy and Apple iPhone 4S. Each of these has its benefits, with the emphasis on functionality. The iPhone is the most expensive but is extremely user friendly for young children.

Moreover, prices for these technological toys have drastically fallen. What used to be a luxury is not a necessity. Each new wave of new technology drops the price for existing models, and we all know that kids don’t need the newest ones.

The advantages of allowing your children to carry a phone are many. First of all it is easier to keep tabs on them. It allows them safety – if they are in danger, they can phone you or 911 for help.

There are applications available which help you track down your child, like Sprint Family Locator. Remember that when you ask where they were and they only say “with friends!” Teach your kids how to text messages – “I’m at Diana’s house” and be responsible.