Kids Next Generation of Cell Users

By Reina V. Slutske

In the past six months, cell phone companies have found a new group of customers.

Children as young as 5 years old are being targeted for cell phones by companies such as Cingular and Disney.

"They're the next generation," said Art Navarro, a regional spokesman for Cingular, about cell phones for children and teenagers. "They're the most adapted to modern technology, and they want to communicate whether it's with friends or family."

In 2005, 16 million teens and younger children across the United States carried cell phones, according to researcher GFK's NOP World Technology.

With students peering at their cell phones for text messages during breaks between classes and the recent launch of lines of cell phones and services targeted specifically for kids, their numbers don't seem to be decreasing.

Paul Borselli, a spokesman for Disney Mobile, said that sales expectations on their line of family phones for October through December exceeded their expectations.

"We entered the holiday season with excitement, and we delivered," he said of the phones, which target parents with children 8 to 14 years old.

While many parents have been eager to purchase cell phones for their children, others were concerned regarding limiting downloads, text messaging and number of minutes.

"Parents want to make sure they're in constant contact with their children, but there's also that concern, 'Wow, I don't want to get my child a cell phone,'" Borselli said.

There are also concerns from teachers, who don't want cell phones to disrupt their classrooms.

Navarro said that Cingular hoped that customers were obeying the regulations of school districts when it comes to cell phones.

"A phone should not be a distraction, it should not be a nuisance," he said. "But it is a tool for connection, for emergency purposes."

When it came to cell phones in school, Borselli cited Disney's parent control where cell phone usage could be blocked during school hours unless it was an emergency.

However, like with many items for kids, some children only seek having a cell phone because they want to appear cool.

"People want them because they're part of building an identity," said Steve Graves, a professor at California State University, Northridge, about most popular items, especially for children. "If one kid has one, another kid wants one."

For most children, a cell phone means more than just a means of communication, even if it is for sending pictures or sending notes in class.

"A phone is not just a phone anymore," Navarro said.

Copyright:The Signal