On Children and Mobile Phone Ownership
Parents who are planning to give their children mobile phones must understand that mobile phone ownership requires discipline. Therefore, in order to prepare children for the responsibilities that come with mobile phone ownership, parents must plan everything well; themselves and their children.
The decision to give children mobile phones stems from parents’ desire for their children to be readily accessible to them. Parents want to be sure that they can contact their children anytime they want. To be able to do so gives them an assurance that in case of emergencies, their children can always reach them, and vice versa.
What many parents do not realize is the fact that mobile phone ownership, especially when it pertains to children, is something that must be planned well. It is more than just choosing the right phone, or the right mobile phone service provider, or the right mobile phone plan.
What is it then?
Mobile phone ownership, to some degree, requires maturity from the mobile phone user. Surprisingly, it’s not only about maturity in age; it’s also about mental and emotional maturity – which is not really based on age. It is a fact that some people can be 30 years old and still be immature emotionally and mentally; while someone can be 15 years old yet can be emotionally and in a way, mentally mature.
Parents have a serious responsibility to prepare and help their children develop and become mature – physically, mentally, and emotionally – by allowing them to go through the process of learning by “doing”.
Hence, mobile phone ownership, in some ways, can actually be used to teach children responsibility; but only when parents understand why.
It is crucial, for example, that parent and children both understand the conditions, effects, responsibilities, and the risks that come with mobile phone ownership, especially if the children are still very young.
Important Things to Consider
Costs
If parents decide to allow their children to own mobile phones, it will definitely increase the expenses of the family, as mobile phones come with great cost. What if there’s more than just one child? Therefore, parents must be sure about their finances first, whether they can afford the additional costs of having many mobile phones, before finally making a decision regarding giving their children mobile phones.
The costs involved with mobile phone ownership are not limited only to the purchase price of the mobile phone unit; it includes monthly subscriptions to the mobile phone service provider, fees, and charges.
What if the children lose their mobile phones? Or what if they break them? These, too, can be very costly.
Risks
There are certain risks involved when children are allowed to have their own mobile phones.
One such risk is that of exposing children to strangers; something that even parents can not stop. Children with mobile phones can easily be accessed by strangers through their friends’ phones. Passing around of mobile phone numbers can be very dangerous, as one can not really be sure that it only reaches reliable and trusted people; mobile phone numbers can also end up in the hands of the wrong people.
Another risk is mobile phone bullying; children can become victims of bullying, or they can be the bullies themselves.
Truly, mobile phone ownership requires a certain degree of responsibility and discipline, even from children as young as 6 years old; this is now the common age of young children with mobile phones. Therefore, parents should make sure that their children are prepared and are responsible and disciplined enough to be trusted with a mobile phone.
Teach your kids responsibility by letting them have a mobile phone of their own. However, parents should be careful in choosing a phone so as not to overspend. Search for the best deals in the market and apply for plans that will work well for them.
