Even though the technology is knew, it's no surprise that kids have used cell phones for cyber-bullying, sexting, and generally getting into trouble. Part of this is that they rarely realize that when you've used cell phones or other electronic devices, you've made not one permanent copy, but an infinite amount.

If you give them to your kids, will you find they've used cell phones for good? For safety? Or for trouble?

The Kiowa County Signal has an editorial on kids and how they've used cell phones, as well as thoughts on how to decide when to allow your kids to have used cell phones.

Among considering your own child's maturity to determine how they'll choose to have used cell phones, you should consider the amount of intervention you're willing to do. At what age are you comfortable having a talk about sexual predators with your children, about the potential consequences of sexting (including legal allegations of child pornography, something that many teenagers have been charged with when they've used cell phones to send inappropriate pictures of themselves)?

Parents have long since used technology to monitor their children, with GPS tracking to deter kidnapping, spyware, and now they've used cell phones to know where they're children are and who they're with, as well as limit their access to the phone's functions. If children are taught to have used cell phones responsibly, and to have proper manners and respect for their peers, then parents can relax and allow them to have the safety that using cell phones can provide.