I was in a restaurant with my seven-year-old. We were dining at one of those kid-friendly, playground included locations where they beg for the toy and then leave it on the table – forgotten even before the last French-fry is eaten. The sound of a cell phone is heard with an unexpected ring tone. I couldn’t make it out at first, but after the third ring, I could have sworn it was “Alvin and the Chipmunks”. Nobody claimed the phone until another mom yelled to her son (who was concealed somewhere in the 10 foot high plastic maze) that his phone was ringing. I was stunned!! This kid could not have been older than 8.

As a grown-up, I find myself shaking my head at the new generation with all of their gadgets and gizmos. After all, when we were kids, we had to spend our hard-earned allowance money at the local arcade to get our video game fix. We didn’t have cell phones, or IPods and were forced to spend hours fumbling with a Rubik Cube. (This is in sharp contrast to my parents’ generation who all collectively walked five miles to school in the snow and rain.)

So, do your kids really ‘need’ a cell phone? If you ask them, the answer will be a resounding “YES”. However, their rationale maybe a bit questionable and come with false promises such as “I will only use it for emergencies” and “I will not text message my friends”.

When you child receives her first cell phone is a parenting decision where certain questions need to be considered. These include:

• Can you afford a cell phone?
• Is your child responsible enough to have a cell phone?
• Will providing a cell phone for you child offer much-needed convenience for you?

So is it thumps-up or thumbs-down? Just like most major decisions in life, there are not clear guidelines and parents need to consider whether their child is ready for this pre-grown-up responsibility and if they are prepared to monitor cell phone use. However, for parents buying a cell phone for kids under the age of 16, there are some precautions that should be considered:

• Select a phone that is specifically designed for younger children that includes parental controls. For example, The Cingular Firefly Phone has speed dial for Mom, Dad, and 911 assistance. In addition, some newer phones have GPS tracking.
• Limit to cell phones capabilities and exclude options including the internet and text messaging.
• Spell out specific rules for cell phone usage and etiquette. This includes when it is appropriate to make a call and who can be contacted.
• Determine what your child’s school policy is on cell phone access and usage on campus.
• Monitor the bill so you are aware who your child is calling and how often the phone is used.

It is a brave new world and we, as parents are forced to adjust to this technological age. Although an eight-year-old with a cell phone may send many of us reeling, when you stop to think about it, I don’t believe this phenomenon will usher in the end of all innocence – the Internet and Cable TV maybe, but not cell phones.

Can you sustain your sanity while enduring ringtones ranging from Justin Timberlake to the Blackeyed Peas?

It is hard to know when the best time to give a child a cell phone. In my opinion, once your teen is driving, it is important she has a cell phone in case of emergencies. However, some younger children could also benefit from a cell phone if they spend a lot of time in after-school activities or with another parent or caregiver. However, before you make that decision, consider these pros and cons: