New Cell Service Blocks Kids' Calls, Texts, Downloads

 

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Still, it's an uphill battle, living in the heart of tech country. It was Asher's 5- and 7-year-olds who taught her to use the camera on her own cell phone.

"I'm technically challenged," Asher said. "But, I have no intention now of letting them use the phone. But, we'll see how it goes as school progresses."

Devra Renner, of Centerville, Va., co-author of "Mommy Guilt," said cell phone restrictions should depend on the child, and good communication goes a long way to controlling your child's behavior.

Her 11-year-old only uses the phone to check in with his parents or for use in an emergency. Believing "human contact is important," she won't allow him to text message.

But, she does not trust her 7-year-old with a cell phone.

"You tell my older son these things are expensive, and he gets it," said Renner. "The other one would be texting everyone he knows in two seconds. Kids have different personalities, and you adjust to each child."

Whether a parent chooses to control cell phone use or not, is a personal choice. "You decide what works best for your family," Renner said.

"Parents feel all kinds of pressures," she added. "Guilt is normal. Debilitating guilt is not. Parenting is to be enjoyed, and we are all probably doing a better job than we give ourselves credit for."

And as for the flagrant use of cell phones, Renner said, "I did it as a kid, too — whatever the new thing is, an Atari, or whatever is the thing at the time. … Kids always want to see what the limits are and how far they can push."

When pressed for why she really wants a cell phone, 9-year-old Emily Hendricksen paused — "Well, I don't know," she said. "They look cool."