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Cell Phones Aimed at Four-Year-Olds Hit The Streets

by Caleb Johnson on June 25, 2009 at 07:01 AM

Cell phones on the playground? Toddlers text messaging? These could become much more common sites sight. Despite warnings about potential health risks, an Irish cell phone company has developed a cell phone line marketed towards children as young as four-years-old, according to The Daily Mail.

The Firefly comes in bright colors and features just five buttons -- including one to call Mom and one to call Dad. Parents choose the numbers stored on the phone and can block unknown numbers. Making the phone still more secure, some models don't allow text messaging. The Daily Mail reports that more than 7,000 units of the phone, which costs between $49 and $99, have been sold in Ireland, and the company is planning a British launch soon. As you might guess, this product has some folks real worked up. Margaret Morrissey, a lobbyist for Parents Outloud, told the Mail that the product makes children "miniature adults."

We have to agree with Morrissey here. We were shocked to learn last year that so many 'tweens' in the U.S. used cell phones. If your 'tween,' let alone your five-year-old, is alone enough to warrant a cell phone, you should reevaluate your role as a parent. After all, a few less cell phone minutes and a little more time with Mom and Dad wouldn't be a bad thing for any child. [From The Daily Mail]

Tags: children, firefly phone, FireflyPhone, school, texting, top

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