A Great Leap in the Number of Kids with Cell Phones

   
A decade ago, most parents never considered buying their kids a cell phone and those who did were criticized by society as parents who easily give in to the whims of their children. The situation is different now, however. Statistics would show an increase in the number of kids with cell phones which means that parents, nowadays, see the importance of letting their children have their own handsets.
In the United States
According to C&R Research which conducted a survey on kids and cell phones, there was a great leap in the percentage of kids within the age 8 to 11 years old who owned cell phones. In 2003, only 7 percent of those children had their own phones. But in 2008, the figure grew to 26 percent. In those same years, kids within 12 to 14 years old who owned cell phones went from 21 percent to a staggering 58 percent.
Other Countries
The number of kids with cell phones in other countries is just as large as that in the US, if not larger. Japan, for instance, revealed that 80 percent of their high school students and 25 percent of their junior high school students have their own cell phones.
Reasons behind the Statistics
There are many reasons behind the increase in the number of kids with cell phones, researches conducted have shown that for the most part, these children just want to stay updated and connected with their friends through calls and texts. Another major factor is the peer pressure that the children feel. This is a major contributor since these children in this stage want to be accepted by the crowd and by their peers. They reason out that all their friends have cell phones and not having one makes them feel like a social outcast.
The parents, however, have a different reason. While they know these kids’ reasons for wanting a cell phone, the parents’ primary motivation for providing their children with handsets is the safety the cell phones offer.

A decade ago, most parents never considered buying their kids a cell phone and those who did were criticized by society as parents who easily give in to the whims of their children. The situation is different now, however. Statistics would show an increase in the number of kids with cell phones which means that parents, nowadays, see the importance of letting their children have their own handsets.In the United StatesAccording to C&R Research which conducted a survey on kids and cell phones, there was a great leap in the percentage of kids within the age 8 to 11 years old who owned cell phones. In 2003, only 7 percent of those children had their own phones. But in 2008, the figure grew to 26 percent. In those same years, kids within 12 to 14 years old who owned cell phones went from 21 percent to a staggering 58 percent.Other CountriesThe number of kids with cell phones in other countries is just as large as that in the US, if not larger. Japan, for instance, revealed that 80 percent of their high school students and 25 percent of their junior high school students have their own cell phones.Reasons behind the StatisticsThere are many reasons behind the increase in the number of kids with cell phones, researches conducted have shown that for the most part, these children just want to stay updated and connected with their friends through calls and texts. Another major factor is the peer pressure that the children feel. This is a major contributor since these children in this stage want to be accepted by the crowd and by their peers. They reason out that all their friends have cell phones and not having one makes them feel like a social outcast.The parents, however, have a different reason. While they know these kids’ reasons for wanting a cell phone, the parents’ primary motivation for providing their children with handsets is the safety the cell phones offer.

   
   

Posted in Kids Cell Phones  on June 12, 2010 - 8:37 pm by admin  |

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