Are mobile phones a necessity in a modern world or a necessary evil?

Question

And do you think it is right for children to have them.?

Answer 1

To me, a cell phone is a necessity. I'm hearing impaired, and I need it for text messaging and I selected the lowest plan I have with my cell phone company, because I don't have much use for talking on the phone, except for people to call me, and me to call a certain few, in that case. But on the other hands, there are some people out there who has a cell phone just to show off, because they think it's cool.

Expensive phones are likely to be robbed. I usually carry mine either in my handbag or my pocket, it depends on the area I'm in, and so on. I was given this phone for free with the transfer of someone else's name to mine, so that's all it matters to me.

As for kids, it really depends. I don't think as very young should have them, because of the chances of getting robbed, being bullied at schools and stuff like that. I'd say suitable for teenagers and up.

Answer 2

Either way your question suggests they are necessary... Being such an old woman these days, I can remember a time before mobile phones and I never remember, way back then in the 80's & 90's thinking Christ, if only I had a telephone with me....However, I have to say these days I would genuinely miss it if I didnt have it. For a start, for at least the last 5yrs I have never bothered to remember or write down anyone's telephone number. Its great for last minute decisions, social planning and the forgetful. With regards to children, my feelings are mixed, I think at a certain age, then it becomes relevant for children to have and use one. There are all sorts of security aspects, in that if children are old enough to go out on their own, having a phone to be able to call home is a good idea. But children dont want phones for emergencies - they want the latest handsets, they want all the functionality that many grown-ups struggle with, and yet have a total inability to pay their own bills. Not to mention they probably spend the majority of their days at school with the only set of people they might want to call... And as other responders have said, there is the counter-argument to the security question, which is that by giving an 8-12yr old a mobile phone, you are instantly making them a target - for bully's or muggers.

Answer 3

This is a great question with a complicated answer; mobile phones are another example of rapidly progressing technology in this world - but this just shows how humans are using innovation to create things that will help them. Sure mobile phones have their downside; the cost of course, having to charge batteries, potential theft & so on - but at the same time any person who has a mobile can probably think of a time when they were so grateful to have it, because an emergency had come up, etc.

As for chidren having mobiles - I would say it's alright in certain circumstances; the child should be at secondary school age (11+) and shouldn't be given a top-of-the-range, very expensive mobile which will probably get stolen at school.

Answer 4

They are not a necessity. They are not a necessary evil. They are a tool. Like a hammer. Or a gun. Some people can use them. Some are better off without them. I have one. I don't use it that much.

I think children can have them if they have been properly schooled on the proper use of them by their parents. I would say probably an age should be set by parents.

I would normally not give one to a child under age 14, but a responsible child as young as 10 might be able to have one. Like everything else, this should be done sensibly.

Answer 5

I live in the modern world, do a tech-related job and have children. I do not own a mobile phone, don't want one and have no need of one.

If I could convince my son to bin his phone I'd be much happier but unfortunatley everyone else in the family has been brainwashed by the whole personal safety argument.

Mobiles aren't a necessary evil, they're just evil. Yet another way for huge corporations to get you to pay loads of money for something you don't actually need.

Answer 6

If there are two things that should be de-invented they would be the mobile phone and the atom bomb, in that order!
Children under 16 should not be allowed to use them.
As for safety issues, giving a kid a little black box is no substitute for knowing where they are and who they are with. It's not a surrogate parent!

Answer 7

if kids have them - they face a high chance of being robbed, there may be some credence in saying - if kids have them they can call for help or you can be in contact with them at all times; however i find if they have a phone - they also get lax on boundaries, as they can stray further, be home later, as long as they feel they can phone home and just say .. mum i am just going to ...or i will be late.. Ti's too easy at times... they have a use but would not say they are a necessity. they are a want, not a need..

Answer 8

For me my mobile is very important. I do a lot of travelling on the highway I like have my mobile just encase I break down or have an accident. I don't think children should have mobiles.

Answer 9

not only would children be robbed but they are exposing their brains to a very high amount of radiation. u know that wearing ear phones are reduces the exposure by 97% but increases the amount of bacteria by 7000x in about an hour. they can also affect the internal ear, cause ear damage, in the long term.

Answer 10

personaly, i think it's great that my 13yr old can walk home from school safely because i or the police are at the end of that mobile phone!

i know it doesn't stop crime but it is a deterant. my daughter doesn't go out too often but when she does i can call her to make sure she's safe and i like that x