I have heard children asking their parents for cell phones, as early as age 5!  Parents often feel pressured to give into their child’s demands, especially since there seems to be a trend for kids to have cell phones…what’s a parent to do?

Certainly, some children should have cell phones.  Parents should really examine their own child’s need, not want.  Some things for a parent to consider might be:

• Is the child asking for a cell phone because “all” of their friends have one?
• Would the child benefit from having the phone due to safety concerns:
  • Going home after school to an empty house
  • Staying for after school activity
  • Has a medical condition and might need to call for help
• Is the child responsible?
  • Using it appropriately
  • Able to keep track of and not lose the phone

When working with parents, I often remind them that they need to make decisions for their child, not based on what other families are doing.  There will always be other children who have what your child does not, and kids are usually quick to point this out (and try to make you feel bad about it).  However, your job as a parent is to make decisions for your child, based on their needs and your values as a parent.