The Rage over Cell Phones
K. Reiter
Toddlers as young as two know how to swipe up to get rid of texts that come in while they are watching YouTube on their parent’s device. They know how to find games and even how to play them. Many toddlers are seen in restaurants playing on a device while their parents chat away with each other. The world we live in is directed by technology, and there is no way around it. But what is the right age to let children have their own cell phone or device?
According to research, a child should get his or her first cell phone around the age of ten. Parents tend to give in to the pressure from their children and purchase a cell phone, even if they are not completely sold on the idea. The nagging and constant begging causes parents to give up the fight because all of their child’s friends have one. After all, don’t they want their child to fit in?
Parents should not look solely at the age of their children before deciding if they should have a cell phone or other type of device. Maturity should be the leading factor. Some children are more mature and capable of handling the responsibilities that come with carrying around an expensive device. They need to be trained on how to care for the device and what is acceptable and what is not. Can the child be trusted to stay away for inappropriate apps and websites? Can they follow the rules of a set screen time?
There is no rush to put a cell phone or device in the hands of children. Understanding the World Wide Web and all that goes along with it can be daunting, even for adults. Having a cell phone opens up a new way for children to communicate with the world. Communication can be a good thing, but it can also lead to cyber bullying or something even worse.
Parents who let their young children have a device need to set strict rules and should closely monitor what apps they are using and who they are talking to. Software is available to help parents see exactly what their children are doing online. It’s not being nosy, but rather caring about who their children are communicating with and what they are viewing online. If children do not accept or follow the rules, then they should not have the privilege of having a cell phone.
Technology can be a blessing or a curse. It all depends on who is behind the wheel driving it. Parents need to take an active role in their children’s cell phone use and make sure they are ready to endure the responsibly of having one before committing to the decision to buy.
Question
Which sentence accurately explains how “The Rage Over Cell Phones” presents a different interpretation of young children using devices than “Education and Technology”?
Responses
A It suggests that children should not have devices until they have proven to be mature enough to handle the responsibilities while “Education and Technology” encourages use of devices for young children because it allows learning in a different way. It suggests that children should not have devices until they have proven to be mature enough to handle the responsibilities while “Education and Technology” encourages use of devices for young children because it allows learning in a different way.
B It suggests that parents are to blame for the misuse of cell phones while “Education and Technology” suggests that parents set clear boundaries for the children when using cell phones. It suggests that parents are to blame for the misuse of cell phones while “Education and Technology” suggests that parents set clear boundaries for the children when using cell phones.
C It suggests young children are not mature enough to have a cell phone while “Education and Technology” suggests that children must have a cell phone to use while at school. It suggests young children are not mature enough to have a cell phone while “Education and Technology” suggests that children must have a cell phone to use while at school.
D It suggests that parents should monitor devices of young children while “Education and Technology” suggests that teachers will be solely responsible for monitoring use on the device. It suggests that parents should monitor devices of young children while “Education and Technology” suggests that teachers will be solely responsible for monitoring use on the device.
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