| In today's digital age, communicating with | | | | For older children who need more features, |
| your kids has become as easy as calling their | | | | many cell phones come with features such as |
| cellular telephones. This way, you can keep | | | | call waiting, voicemail, text messaging, and |
| track of their whereabouts, find out what | | | | caller identification. While you may not |
| time they'll be home, and catch up on the | | | | think these features are necessary, your |
| day's events. Some cell phones are better | | | | teenager will probably have an argument |
| than others when it comes to kids, so it is | | | | prepared about why he or she needs these |
| important for parents to thoroughly research | | | | features. If you do allow your child to get |
| the many options available before committing | | | | a feature-rich cell phone, set limits for |
| a particular phone model and service plan. | | | | using these features and always monitor any |
| | | | text messages or e-mails sent or received on |
| Some cell phone providers make it possible | | | | the cell phone. This will help to keep your |
| for you to block outgoing calls on your | | | | child safe and will cut down on risky |
| child's cell phone except for 911. This | | | | behavior on the part of your teen. |
| means that the phone can be used only to call | | | | |
| 911 in the case of an emergency, meaning that | | | | One of the best phones for kids is one that |
| you are reducing the chances that your child | | | | allows you to program important telephone |
| is talking with a stranger. This is helpful | | | | numbers into the memory of the cell phone. |
| because, while you can block outgoing calls, | | | | You can use this feature to program your |
| you can still call your child whenever | | | | child's home telephone number, parents' work |
| necessary. | | | | numbers, emergency contact numbers, and |
| | | | school contact information into the phone. |
| Other cell phone plans offer even more | | | | This will allow your child to dial the number |
| protection. They allow parents to block all | | | | by pressing only one key and hitting ?send.? |
| outgoing and incoming calls except for calls | | | | In the event of an emergency, this will save |
| home and to emergency services. This is a | | | | time on looking up the telephone number |
| great plan for a young child that does not | | | | needed and dialing the number in full. |
| travel alone and doesn't have the need to | | | | |
| keep in contact with others outside of his or | | | | When you give your child access to a cell |
| her family. This feature allows you to | | | | phone, it is important that you choose the |
| reduce the risk of your child coming into | | | | best one for his or her age and needs. |
| contact with a dangerous person and allows | | | | Monitoring the use of a cell phone is an |
| you to monitor the child's cell phone usage. | | | | important means of keeping your kids safe and |
| | | | reducing their risk of harm. |