5 Reasons why your kids should have cell phones

Mobile phones help keep kids safe

The main reason in support of kids having cell phones is safety. Your youngster can call home or emergency services when trouble arises when armed with a cell phone, as well as giving you the ability to locate her whereabouts with GPS features.

Mobile companies have also stepped up the family safety factor with services like the Sprint Family Locator. "Sprint Family Locator is a valuable tool that can help parents and guardians have a better sense of their children's whereabouts when they're apart," said Danny Bowman, vice president of product marketing for Sprint. "This is the latest Sprint innovation that uses GPS technology to improve the way families connect, communicate and locate one another." The same service from AT&T is called FamilyMap.

Conveniences of a cell phone

Giving kids mobile phones not only offers them a more convenient way to call home than finding a germ-ridden payphone, but also helps you keep in constant contact with your kids. From changes in after school pick up plans to making it easy for her to let you know she got to where she's going, there's no doubt that the conveniences that come with an adult having a cell phone translates the same when it comes to cell phones for kids.

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Mobile phones are affordable

Although mobile phones of the past were considered a luxury item, there are tons of phones on the market today that you can get at low or no cost. Prepaid phone plans and the ability to simply add a line to your own parent cell phone account make the decision on whether your kids should have cell phones more about the peace of mind knowing your children are a touch tone away and less about the added expense.

Cell phones teach responsibility

Looking for a way to let your kid prove that she's ready for you to let out the leash a little bit? A cell phone can teach your child about responsibility, from taking care of the gadget to the minutes and text restrictions. You could opt for a puppy, but you know who will end up cleaning up after it in the long run.

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Family bonding through texting

Does your child look at you like you're speaking another language when trying to communicate with her? Changing how you talk with your teen by texting may be just the thing you need to connect with her on a different level. Although texting with your kiddo may seem like a silly idea, it may make her less resistant to what you have to say when she feels like you're more hip.

Not sure your kiddo is ready to have free reign of the wireless world? Opt for a plan feature that lets you monitor cell phone usage, restrict phone numbers your child can call or notifies your mobile phone when your child arrives at a designated place. But, before you give your youngster the green light on their own cell phone, discuss with your child these five reasons kids should have cell phones to ensure that she knows exactly what is expected from her, because a good parent-child cell phone relationship starts with good communication.

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