In Finland, Seven-Year-Olds Have Cell Phones
In a country where 92 percent of households have at least one cell phone, it isn't too surprising that many children as young as seven or eight have their own phones. Decorated with covers featuring cartoon characters and personal logos on the screens, the phones have become important to both the kids and their parents. Finland has strict rules on marketing to children. Most efforts are directed to parents, who see the devices as convenient tools for coordinating activities and checking that their children are safe. Schools are having to create policies for how cell phones can be used during class. The rules include - no texting, no games, no music and no calls during class - and the phones have to be stored out of sight. In Finland, one observer said, having a cell phone is as common as having a watch or a set of house keys. Thanks for the tip, Kathy!