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As the mom of four children, three of whom are between the ages of 12 and 14, I have had my fair share of experience with parenting children of this generation.  When my children were younger, I used to question whether they would need cell phones.  They seemed like an extravagance not needed until they started driving.  However, once my kids progressed from early elementary school age, I began to see that there were other reasons to have cell phones.

Although this article isn’t a review of a specific cell phone, it is a review of this technology in general.  From my perspective, a cell phone is an important accessory for any child that is deemed old enough to be home alone or to travel outside of his or her yard independently.  Here are my reasons why:

1. Life doesn’t always follow a schedule. Perhaps you’ve dropped your daughter off at the movie theatre with friends and due to technical difficulties the movie starts 15 minutes late.  One quick call or text from your daughter, and you won’t spend 15 minutes waiting.

2. Accidents happen. Biking to a friend’s house a couple miles away, your 14 year old son’s bike gets a flat tire.  Yes, he could walk it home, but wouldn’t it be easier to call you for help?

3. Keep them safe. Given the freedom to travel to the city pool or town library, they have a way to contact you.  While you should feel secure in their independence before you let them journey as such, doesn’t it feel better knowing they can call if they need to?

4. It helps your kids fit in socially. No, I don’t believe in caving in to peer pressure.  However, a cell phone allows your child to communicate in the manner that most kids do today, especially if you have an unlimited texting plan.  (Our costs only $9.95 per month, which is worth every penny!)

5. It gives you leverage. Our kids understand that having a cell phone is a privilege.  For example, if one of our children decides that he or she will be disrespectful, then the phone may be taken from his or her possession.

Check back in a couple weeks when I share my thoughts about the specific of purchasing a cell phone and contract add-ons.