More Children Aged 8 to 12 Now Have Cell Phones According to Survey
A new survey conducted by ORC International for the National Consumers League (NCL), the nation’s oldest consumer organization, revealed more and more children are having cell phones.
According to the study, nearly 6 out of 10 parents of children aged 8 to 12 have provided their kids with cell phones. Of those parents that responded in the research, roughly a quarter are facing higher bills than they had expected to pay in order for their child to have a cell phone.
“Our survey underscores the fact that pre-teens are the new ‘growth market’ for the wireless industry,” said John Breyault, NCL vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud.
Though the study clearly demonstrated how cell phone use is becoming more entrenched at an earlier age in the United States, surveyed parents are quick to disclose their top reasons for buying their kids a cell phone. About 84% of the parents said “safety” is among the foremost reason that prompts them to give their kids a mobile device; 73% to track their child after school activities; and only 16% said their child asked for one.
“Given the increasingly young age at which kids get these devices, the multiplicity of choices in the cell phone market can be daunting for parents. That’s why it is imperative that parents have the information necessary to make informed buying decisions when it comes to their pre-teens’ first wireless devices,” Breyault added.
On a lighter note, the survey managed to deliver a few good news, such as that only 16% of parents reported friction or disagreements with their child over cell phone use. Furthermore, fewer than 1 in 10 parents reported “use of cell phone intrudes on family time” and “distracts your child from school work.” Some parents are also carefully doing their research before purchasing a cell phone for their tweener.
The survey was part of NCL’s continuing commitment to keep parents of pre-teens well-informed when deciding to buy their children’s first cell phones.