Your child is ready to reach out and touch someone with his or her very own cell phone, which begs the question "how young is too young?" There's no denying that we're living in the age of technology where it seems like everyone is connected. Seeing a grade-school child with her own personal cell phone has become commonplace. While it may seem like a major trend for kids, for parents it can be a godsend, especially when you're trying to keep track of your children. Not sure why a child might need a cell phone? Here are a few of things to ponder. When dance lessons, baseball practice or other extracurricular activities, it's ideal for your child to be able to call you and let you know, especially if it means they're not waiting by themselves. Of course, many kids under the age of 12 are usually supervised and can simply borrow an adult's phone. Other worst-case scenarios include school lockdowns and tragedies when phones are the only way of getting in touch with your child.
One added bonus is that some child-friendly cell phones are even equipped with GPS so that you can locate your child at any given moment. Although cell phones may be the mother of necessity, there are other factors to take into account when you're considering whether your child is old enough for a phone. First and foremost is cost, especially if you're paying by the minute. And who can forget those text messages, ring tones and data costs for surfing the Net? It can all add up quickly. There's also the price of the phone itself. Your child should be old enough to take care of the phone and responsible enough not to run up a bill with unnecessary charges. Another factor to consider is that a cell phone isn't just a way for you to reach your children - it's a way for anybody else to reach their children. If you think your child is ready for a cell phone, set some ground rules. Consider a pre-paid plan. Let your child use the phone when it's necessary and keep tabs on how the phone is being used.