TV co's and cable co's have lockouts, now they're bit'in about cell phones

[napi21]

I just caught a story on MSNBC about parents have the ability to put controls on their TV, & PC to keep teens from porno sites, but now they're hammering the cell phone companies!

As I understand it, not all cell phones can access the net, but it takes a more expensive one with those capabilities. If I'm right, and the parents are worried about their teens visiting porn sites from their cell, why did they get them a phone like that at all?

I understand why many parents feel comfortable having constant contact with their children, and they are great for emergencies, but wouldn't the best cure to stop porn site visits be to get a simple cell phone that can just make/receive calls and maybe text messages?

Damn, people. Take some responsibility in raising your kids, and quit demanding that industry do it for you! It is your job, ya know!

[orion9941]

1. Take some responsibility in raising your kids

That would require common sense. Plus if they did that, they wouldn't be able to blame someone else when something goes wrong. Cuz in murica it's ALWAYS someone elses fault.

[KharmaTrain]

2. Cellphones Have Benefits

For those of us who have teens, a cellphone can mean the difference between sleeping and walking the floors at 2am.

I'm no cellphone fan and detest anyone driving or just walking around like a zombie with one of those things stuck up on their heads, but when it comes to family safety, a cellphone is priceless.

A couple other benefits...having kids at school, it's cheaper to have them use a cellphone than the local phone company, it's invaluable when they're traveling, or you are and it also lets them know that you're watching and caring.

Yes, there are kids who abuse the phones...and it's easy for any kid to get their own cellphone now, they don't need their parents. But it's also prone to abuse.

Pretty soon, PDAs, cellphone and all wireless devices will be one...your web browser will be your cellphone will be your radio will be your lifeline. What goes out can also come in...and, as we know with our puters, it can be annoying and obtrusive. I see this as a safeguard to prevent this new technology from the pitfalls of the current one.

I don't feel I have to block what access my kids have to websites...but that's me. I know others where there is no supervision...and the more the kid hears "no" the more they're gonna try to push the envelope. This is one small control in a world where the parent can always be held financially liable but has fewer and fewer controls.

[lildreamer316]

3. There is a cellphone like that..

..I just can't remember who makes it off the top of my head. I'll try to find it here in a min. Also, if someone has Cricket service in their area, you can't beat it! I have their base model phone which does fine with me and now works up to an hour south of me (next big city) for a total of $60 a month (includes 500 LD min.). Only drawback is that you can't take it on long trips.

Here's the kid's phone:http://www.fireflymobile.com/