Do kids really need cell phones?

CEBU, Philippines - It’s hard to remember what we did without cell phones connecting us to our friends, family and the world at large. Many of us use them to chat and tweet our every given thought whenever we feel like it. We call and text each other regularly, letting a friend know we’re lost or running late.

Spouses remind each other to pick something up on the way home from work, and we check on faraway relatives while we’re stuck in traffic. Kids are also part of the mix when it comes to cell phones. Grade-schoolers, tweens and teens all want their own cell phones.

Those who are in favor of having cell phones cite their reasons for the necessity of the gadget.

Practicality

Both kids and parents are busy these days, and it makes sense for parents to be able to call their kids and let them know they’re running late when picking them up from school or activities. It’s also important for children to be able to call their parents to tell if extra-curricular activities are running late or they will be late for dinner. Or if the child decides to go to a movie at the mall and needs to get in touch with his parents, there are few pay phones left nowadays for him to use to call you.

Safety

Earthquakes, fires, bad weather, traffic accidents – there are many things that can happen during the day after the kids leave the house for school. Cell phones are a lifeline between parents and their children, and these can also be used to call emergency responders.

Responsibility

A cell phone gives the child a way to be more responsible and let his parents know if he’s going to be late. Cell phones are also important for teenagers, who could find themselves at a party without a sober ride home and need to call their parents to pick them up.

Trust

Cell phones aren’t cheap. And giving the child a cell phone makes him feel that he is being trusted with something of value. It also tells the child that he is being trusted to use his allocated load credits wisely.

Broken Homes

When parents are separated, a cell phone is a good way for a child to keep in contact with both parents at all times. And it gives the parent who does not live in the same home as the child a good opportunity to stay involved.

Faraway Relatives

Cell phones are a good incentive for kids to keep in contact with faraway relatives, like grandparents or aunts and uncles living in other places. It is easy for kids to keep in touch with cousins by cell phone.

Games

Cell phones now come with many fun, inexpensive games that kids can play with to keep them busy while waiting in long lines or on a ride home.

Reminders

Cell phones come with alarms, note-taking applications and all kinds of apps that are helpful in keeping kids organized, and remind them of their next test or homework assignment.

Social Communications

Cell phones are deeply woven into the present social fabric. Teens use social media to text, tweet or post their feelings, detail their likes and dislikes, and basically help them feel connected to their peers and the world around them.

These are the good reasons that justify the necessity of cell phones for kids. The common objection, though, is that kids tend to go overboard in their use of the gadget. Therefore, it is so important to exercise self-discipline with their cell phones. Any equipment is only good enough when used properly and for the right purpose. (www.science.opposingviews.com)  (FREEMAN)