Wed., 4/25/12: Young, Naïve, and Well-Connected: Kids & Cell Phones

Young, Naïve, and Well-Connected: Kids & Cell Phones

Nearly one in five Massachusetts third graders has a cell phone, according to a study by the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center. Kids aren't just using their cell phones to stay in touch with parents; they're also texting friends, browsing the web, playing games and buying apps. For young kids, having a phone opens the door to a new social life, but the door's also open for predation, bullying and harassment. It's an arena where almost anything goes, and it's 24/7, from the moment they wake up, till after the lights have been switched out.

We talk with the author of the study, Elizabeth Englander, about what it means to have everyone, especially kids, connected to the web all the time, and how parents can protect them.

We want to hear from you this hour. Did you buy your kid a cell phone? Did you get one when you were in middle school or high school? How dangerous are these uncharted waters? Tweet us or leave a comment on our Facebook page.

GUEST:
 Elizabeth Englander,  professor of psychology at Bridgewater State University, and the director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center