Cell Phone Use by Children
A cell phone is used for everything from making phone calls to sending small messages and checking e-mail. They can be a big responsibility, and some children are not mature enough to stick to guidelines for minutes and text messaging limitations, which can cause the cell phone bill to raise drastically.
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Text Messaging
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One the most popular usage of a cell phone is text messaging. Children text one another so often that popular companies such as Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T have made several commercials focusing on the massive usage of it among children and teens. A text message is similar to an instant message sent on the Internet, but it is sent from one cell phone to another cell phone, usually with a limitation of 160 characters or less.
Internet
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Some phones, such as the BlackBerry brand and the iPhone, offer Internet access from the cell phone. With this type of access, children can check websites popular in today's younger generations, such as MySpace and Facebook. They can also check email and download games and pictures. Most phones do require an activation for this type of service, as well as a monthly fee.
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Music
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With some phones, such as the Verizon Env, downloading music can be done through the phone service (which will usually charge a fee per song) or by adding music to the phone via a memory card. The phone usually comes with a place for headphones, and the speakers on the phone generally do not get very much louder than a small radio.
Phone Calls
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Children use the cell phone for several other things, but also important are the phone calls. Children are just beginning to expand their social boundaries and with a cell phone, they are more likely to make those important adolescent social connections. Most cell phones on a plan offer free nights (after 9 pm) and free weekends and sometimes even unlimited calls to other people on the same service. Cell phones that are pre-paid charge by the minute, and minutes can run out fast.
Benefits
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There are many benefits to a child having a cell phone. With the use of a cell phone, children can call home in case of an emergency and can call if an after school meeting or practice is canceled or ends earlier than expected. They can call and let parents know that they have arrived safely on a field trip or can call and arrange rides when plans change. Also, when parents allow their children to have a cell phone, they can help the child to practice responsibility by only using a certain amount of minutes and not going overboard on those minutes, and by calling and checking in when staying away from home over night. Some cell phones even have tracking devices so that parents can locate their children (if the children are carrying the phone) at all times.
Warnings
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Cell phones can be a big responsibility. When cell phones are on a plan, a child can talk over the allotted amount of minutes and the parents are responsible for paying the amount owed. If a limit is set on text messages, the child can go over this limit and even more money is owed. Children may also be tempted to take the cell phones out during class and be distracted, which can cause disciplinary action or a lowering grade.
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References
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- Photo Credit black cell phone image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
