Dovy, I agree, cell phones are immediate communication when a child is in trouble, or a wife/husband parent, etc. But there is a right and wrong time for it. I don’t believe that a 12 year old should have one. I do believe that a person should not get into a car without one. Just as driving is a privilege and not a right, having a cell phone is a privilege and not a right. And one can monitor a child’s use as well. If YOU are paying the bill, and your child is taking advantage, YOU have the responsibility and the RIGHT to take the phone away or shut it down.
As far as judging an adult’s use of a cell phone, that falls into the same category as judging an adult for anything else one doesn’t approve of as far as others are concerned. There are many other things that fall into that category which have already been hashed through on these blogs such as internet, TV, bungalow colonies, swimming with your wife, etc. Again, personally IMHO, I feel that if a person wants to ask a question in regard to their own situation “I am considering giving my child a cell phone, what is the general opinion…..” then I feel these discussions are useful and helpful. But when someone starts a thread to knock others who are doing things THEY don’t approve of I believe it is counter productive to the concept of ahavas yisroel. Please remember we are in the chodesh of Elul preparing for the Yomim Noraim. Let’s keep our discussions in that vein.