Preteen phones: why not? Asking Congress to intervene and prevent companies from marketing to preteens is a cop-out. Last time l checked Father and Mother knew best.(Up Front)(Column)

Wireless Week, August, 2005 by Wickham, Rhonda

When it comes to children's well-being, safety and security, I usually error on the side of caution. However, with the recent furor over wireless phones for the kiddy sector, I find myself objecting, but not for the children.

In recent weeks, carriers such as Rogers Wireless, handset vendors such as Firefly Mobile and entertainment companies such as Disney, Hasbro and Mattel have developed and announced programs that target children 8 to 12 years of age. In reaction, all sorts of consumer and child advocacy groups, doctors and psychiatrists have banded together to tell members of Congress what a bad idea this is.

Frankly, this is not an issue for government. It is an issue for parents. If parents don't want their preteens to have wireless...

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