The Cell Phone License

The following was written by guest blogger Dr. Richard Chalfen, Senior Scientist at CMCH.  Dr. Chalfen has guest blogged for us before, contributing a 3-part series on the phenomenon of sexting. 

The popularity of cell phones has introduced a series of tension points for parents and their children. Some of these tensions are not unlike many dilemmas encountered as children grow into their teenage years including requests and permissions to stay out late, attend un-chaperoned parties, drink alcohol, drive a car, etc. 

Kids seem to be winning the quest for cell phones. The number of cell phones in the world is increasing dramatically, and the age of children in the U.S. having their own mobiles is getting younger each year. In turn, parents are noticing a range of unanticipated problems linked to inappropriate use, or simply over-use, of mobiles by their kids. Examples include too much texting, often accompanied by morning fatigue and diminished concentration, disobeying school regulations for cell use, classroom cheating, too much distraction while being a pedestrian or driving a car, too much personal information revealed on personal internet sites, among others. And many of these bad habits can result in extraordinarily high service provider bills.

So what can we draw upon to ease these growing tensions and give some sense of control and satisfaction to both parents and their children?  What should kids know about cell phones to be treated as competent members of cyber society? 

I’d like to suggest the development of a home-based, family administered and supported “cell phone license.“ To obtain this license, kids would go through a training program that emphasizes a modern version of “communicative competency” that befits participation and individual responsibility as we witness advances in modern technology. The program would focus on competency for internet safety, and for sending (and receiving) speech, text, and images.

To continue reading about Dr. Chalfen’s idea for a cell phone license and learn more about how it would work, see his blog: Imaged Life. 

Comments

I agree with you there. Nowadays, kids are beginning to the abuse the benefits of using cellphones, in which really affects their everyday routine. Anyway, thanks for sharing this post. I enjoyed reading it.

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[Mike R]

I remember the days when only a few choice people had cell phones, and I could count them on one hand! I had to wait until I was 18 to get my first cell phone. My parents would not allow me to have one, and rightfully so. Parents should not think about if there child is in harm and they need a cell phone. I am sure that is only about a fraction of one percent in that situation. Pay phones are still around people!

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