Maybe I’m just too cheap to pay for internet on my cell phone LOL.
I don’t think comparing a cell phone to a loaded gun is a fair statement. Leaving internet aside (its really easy to block internet on phones), in order to text or call someone, you need their number. So in order for someone to do something wrong with their phone, they need some way to figure out a persons number AND call AND have a willing accomplice.
I personally like having a cell phone in case of emergency. While I am at a desk most of the day, I do go out to various power plants. I want to be reachable if someone needs me.
I never said cell phones ar ethe greatest thing to give a teenager. I personally got on when I was 21 – long after all my friends had them.
But if you teach your kids to use tools properly, and take basic precautions (like disabling internet) then your kids should be fine. They can make the same phone call from a pay phone…
This has become a society of “restrict everything you can think possibly may cause someone at some point eventually to possible think about almost doing something that may slightly be inapprorpiate.” There is a limit – we need to balance chinuch with trust. Know your child.
My mother’s mantra – she always told us that she trusted us and we didn’t want to lose that. My mother had minimal, fair rules for us and we followed them. Obviously, this won’t work for all kids, but know your child. If they are the suspect for these types of problems, give them a different set of rules. But please, set them up to SUCCEED so that they gain confidence in themselves and know they can overcome challenges.