Somehow, I managed to survive through childhood without the Internet and without a cell phone. I’m sure my children and grandchildren will be shocked. From Toy Makers Dial Up ‘Tween’ Set:
Companies are designing cellphones for the so-called tween market, a demographic loosely defined as 8- to 13-year olds. Toy maker Mattel Inc. plans a new phone that comes in a kid-friendly design influenced by its popular My Scene line of dolls. A phone from Chicago-based Firefly Mobile Inc. includes just five buttons, and only allows kids to call home, 911 or a handful of other preprogrammed numbers.Already, cellphone use among young people is growing: A study from research firm IDC found that 22% of 10- to 14-year-olds had cellphones in 2004, up from 17% in 2003. Toy designers are hoping to attract even more tweens by marketing their products to parents who want to keep track of their kids but feel uncomfortable giving them expensive, fully functional handsets meant for adults.
The phones use prepaid service.