I have a 14 yr old who has been nagging for a cell phone for a year now. Disney mobile was suggested (by his "real" mom - the boys are my step sons) and he darned near died and claimed that it's not only restrictive (uhum) but would be a complete embarrassment in school or around other kids because it has the Disney logo on it.

I was not the one that made this suggestion. However, I can't seem to get it through to him that with the responsibility also comes "restriction of use." Why would any parent leave a child to his own devices without enforcing restrictions? Our 15 yr old hasn't even voiced a desire for a gadget of any type. He likes them but he's not a gadget addict like our 14 yr old.

And soooo, he's off on a google search for phones for kids that offer more freedom. I don't know what good it will do but he will make every attempt to prove his point in case.

I'm always surprised by the number of kids that I see walking around with cell phones.