New worries about children with cell phones

Parents who used to worry about whether to buy their children cellphones are now concerned about scams and improper texting.
(From The New York Times)

The story "New worries about children with cell phones" published August 15, 2009 at 10:29 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[cuchanu]

It always helps to say that the kid is only 9 years old and the charges were not authorized and will not be paid- they have to credit it back to you.

[Dan7637]

kids shouldnt have phones, my bro has one and when you call him he hangs up

[ikramerica--2008]

It used to be a debate about just getting your teenager their own phone line. Now you are giving pre-pubes cell phones with all the bells and whistles?

At the same time, we have people complaining that health insurance is too expensive. Why not stop giving your kids things they don't need every month and instead pay for things like proper health care. Just a thought...

[face0]

Wow, so worried about the social and economic aspects of children and cell phones without any worry about the effects of microwave radiation on adolescent's developing brains?

I recently heard Europe was considering banning cell phones for adolescents because of direct links to brain damage on developing brains caused from cell phones. Here are an interesting older article about cell phones and adolescent rats:
http://www.wired.com/gadgets/wireless/news/2003/01/57488

[EvanSei]

get young kids pre-paid phones, it gives far more control over their phone, sure the phones aren't as nice as one with plans but really how many of you would trust their 12 year old with an iPhone? (or other phone with bells whistles and a very easy way to spend lots of money very fast)

[jakedog030]

If you're going to give a child a cell phone, it should only be able to reach 2 phone numbers; his or her parents and 911. Little kids don't need to be playing around with text messages. They need to be outside playing and getting healthy; not sitting sedentary and getting fat and unhealthy while they diddle their cell phones.