Cell phone manufacturers marketing phones to kids

[TheMightyFavog]

http://wbay.com/Global/story.asp?S=3752588&nav=51s6dcQI

The face of cell phones and their users is changing. Adults, college students, and teenagers aren't the only ones staying connected. Now companies are targeting younger cell phone users.

The Firefly is one of the newest and simplest additions to the cell phone world. "It is geared specially for the younger generation," Target's Roberta Monville explained, "but so that they could have something to reach Mom and Dad if they needed to, without all the extra things that go with a regular phone."

The Firefly has only a few buttons, not an entire keypad. The buttons can be programmed to specific phone numbers, such as the parents, their workplace, or other parent-approved numbers.

(snip)

Parents seemed pleased about the new gadget. "I think it's wonderful," Paula Schultz reacted. "It gives the kids the accessibility of the phone, being able to call Mom or Dad or approved people on the list, but at the same time it gives Mom and Dad some control over what numbers they are able to call," Paula Schultz said.

[proud2BlibKansan]

1. One of the best books I have ever read

is David Elkind's The Hurried Child. I would recommend we reread it or read it for the first time. It seems very appropriate about now.

Elkind does an excellent job describing how we have de-valued childhood, from dressing children like miniature adults, to making adult gadgets, like cell phones, available to them.

http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0738204412.01._BO2,204,203,200_PIsitb-dp-500-arrow,TopRight,45,-64_AA240_SH20_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg
Here is the Amazon review:
Internationally recognized as the voice of reason and compassion, Dr. Elkind showed that in blurring the boundaries of what is age appropriate, by expecting-or imposing-too much too soon, we force our kids to grow up far too fast. In the two decades since this groundbreaking book first appeared, we have compounded the problem, inadvertently stepping up the assault on childhood in the media, in schools, and at home. Taking a detailed, up-to-the-minute look at the world of today's children and teens in terms of the Internet, classroom culture, school violence, movies, television, and a growing societal incivility, Dr. Elkind shows a whole new generation of parents where hurrying occurs and why and what we can do about it.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0738204412/104-0719962-6803964?v=glance

[MissB]

2. I laughed about the Firefly the other day.

It costs $99. I'm sure it'll be all the rage this year. :eyes:

Fucking insane.

[Wabbajack]

3. The kids will figure out how to program new numbers.

[tjdee]

4. After Columbine, I'd think parents would be racing to get this.

My kid is too young--but I had planned years ago to give her a phone for school as soon as she is mature enough.

If there is an emergency situation why shouldn't she be able to reach me like any other person is?

[TheMightyFavog]

5. I can remember a time when cell phones were banned from school campuses.

People associated them with drug dealers.