Children's Cell Phone Use on the Rise

Children Carrying Cell Phones on the Rise

March 9, 2010

Is your child reachable at all times? A new study says there's a good chance he is. According to Mediamark Research and Intelligence, one in five children between the ages of 6-11 carries a cell phone. That number has nearly doubled over the past five years with boys accounting for a significant portion of the increase.

When we asked our readers about their views on the mobile phones a year and a half ago, half of LilSugar readers said their tots didn't carry one. As the world continues to shift to more mobile means of communication, and as more parents see the device as a means for providing their tykes with more freedom, many mamas are shifting their views on the lil pieces of technology and opting for phones that they can control.

Have you changed your view on giving your child a cell phone?

4 Comments

inlove23 3 years 11 weeks

Haha nice anon! I got my first cell phone in 8th grade, but 9-11 had just happened a few years before, and I played sports after school so borrowing phones was always a slight pain especially if she was late or if I got done early.

3 years 11 weeks

This is ridic. 6 year olds with a cell phone!? When I was bw the ages of 6-11 I never had the need to even use a pay phone. So even if you say they are few and far bw any more it still doesnt matter. And how do they carry this cell phone around? oh i forgot the 6, 7, 8, 9 year olds purse! ha.

Girl Jen 3 years 11 weeks

My first thought on getting a kid a cell phone was "No way!" But I'm starting to realize that there are hardly any pay phones anymore, and that my daughter will eventually get old enough to be dropped off somewhere and call for a ride home. (eventually.)On top of that, I don't have a landline. So if she wants to talk on the phone, I'll either need to get a cell for her, or a landline.I'll probably get her one of those kids' cell phones with ridiculously tight parental controls, so she can get ahold of family if needed, but she can't use it inappropriately.

Girl Jen 3 years 11 weeks

My first thought on getting a kid a cell phone was "No way!" But I'm starting to realize that there are hardly any pay phones anymore, and that my daughter will eventually get old enough to be dropped off somewhere and call for a ride home. (eventually.) On top of that, I don't have a landline. So if she wants to talk on the phone, I'll either need to get a cell for her, or a landline. I'll probably get her one of those kids' cell phones with ridiculously tight parental controls, so she can get ahold of family if needed, but she can't use it inappropriately.

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4 Comments

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