December 16, 2008

Your 8-year-old child wants a cell phone for Christmas, but is he or she really ready for the responsibility? University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pediatric psychologist David Schwebel, Ph.D., says that whether a child is ready for a cell phone depends on the child and the family.

"Parents need to consider what their child is like and what the family's needs are," said Schwebel. "Some 7- and 8-year-olds are appropriate candidates for cell phones whereas some older children are not. Parents have to consider whether the child is able to care for the phone and whether they will use it appropriately to keep in touch with mom and dad, or if they will use it irresponsibly. Families also have to consider whether they can [financially] afford to give their child a cell phone."

Cell phones can be tools for convenience, says Schwebel. "For instance young children can use them to call their parents to let them know where they are or to find out who will pick them up from school."

But there are some safety considerations, says Schwebel, who directs the UAB Youth Safety Lab. Children and teens tend to become distracted when they are on a cell phone, making them more vulnerable to pedestrian injuries. "Also cell phones could become a child's way of socializing," said Schwebel. "And while it may be fine for teens to text each other, socializing with peers may not be why you would want to give a cell phone to an elementary school child."

But if parents decide that their young child is ready for a cell phone, parents can set rules for how and when the cell phone should be used or consider purchasing a cell phone with parental controls that lack text messaging and other features that the child may not be ready for, Schwebel said.