Limited-Function Cell Phones for Kids
My mother-in-law isn’t too good with electronic gadgets. Maybe I should consider getting her a limited-function cell phone being marketed for kids. These phones are simple to use and usually don’t have cameras, text-messaging, Web-surfing abilities, or even regular dial pads.
The Cingular Firefly phone pictured lets parents program up to 20 numbers with speed-dial keys for Mom and Dad. It can be set to accept calls only from numbers programmed into the phone.
Giving cell phones to children isn’t without some concerns:
- Some educators worry that giving cell phones to children could create discipline problems in schools. For example, some teens have used text-messaging and camera phones to cheat on tests.
- Unauthorized people could gain access to information from enhanced 911 services, which must be able to show where a phone is even if it doesn’t have GPS capabilities.
- There are also some concerns about (scientifically unproven) health effects of cell phones on children.
Another concern: some teens are offended when given these limited-function cell phones. I suppose my mother-in-law might be too.
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, December 27, 2005
Technorati Tags: cell+phones, phones, kids, children
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POSTED IN: General Play Library Goodies
6 opinions for Limited-Function Cell Phones for Kids
Manjusha
Dec 28, 2005 at 12:45 pm
It is a pretty cool concept for young children…
Dirty Butter
Dec 28, 2005 at 3:04 pm
We spend quite a bit of money each month to have an “I’ve Fallen and Can’t Get Up” type emergency call button that my father can keep in his shirt pocket. I wonder if this phone might be a reasonable alternative.
Kristin
Dec 28, 2005 at 9:24 pm
That’s actually a good idea for my mom or dad as well. The unwelcome comparison to children not withstanding, a simplified version of a cell phone would come in handy since the flow of technological development goes toward the more complicated instead of the less.
Lei
Dec 29, 2005 at 3:33 am
Manjusha: Thanks for the comment! I wouldn’t even mind having a cell phone like that now. ;)
Dirty Butter: Hi! So nice to see you here. :) One of the advantages I can think of for the emergency call button is that it leads directly to a qualified healthcare professional who can send immediate help.
Kristin: Thanks for the comment! I agree. Sometimes these gadgets seem to make life far more complicated when they should be making it easier and simpler.
Play Library » Disney Mobile
Sep 21, 2006 at 1:01 pm
[...] Hsien’s written a couple of times about kids and cell phones, and we even posted a survey to see how many of you were planning on getting cell phones for your kids. [...]
Amy
Aug 1, 2007 at 6:22 pm
Its the ONLY type cell phone I’d consider getting for my kids. They are not responsible enough to have one without these limitations.
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