[Aliantha]

This is a subject Dazza and I have been talking about for a while now. Quite a number of kids at my boys school have them. My oldest boy is only 11. I think that's too young, but apparently some parents don't. Either that or they just cave in because it's easier.

Occasionally I'll let one of the boys carry mine. An example of this was when we had our big show which is what you might call a carnival, but there's livestock judging etc also, so in a capital city, it's pretty big. I let Aden carry my cell phone while Dazza and I had his. In this way, if we got separated, he'd be able to call us.

I don't think kids should need cell phones except under exceptional circumstances. Parents should know where their kids are, so they shouldn't have to be calling them to find out that answer. I've also noticed that some early teens simply choose to ignore calls from their parents anyway, so what's the point other than to give the kid another way of racking up the bills they don't pay for.

I think when they're old enough for a part time job and can pay the bill themself is soon enough for them to have a cell phone.