For many school children a mobile phone is now more of a necessity than a pencil case. Mobiles were one of the most popular Christmas presents for young people last year and it is hard to find someone under 16 who has not got a mobile or does not want one.
| I do kind of feel safer when I’ve got my phone with me. |
Eighteen of the 24 members of Children's Express, who are aged 11-16, own mobiles. And that is typical of most classes in schools across Birmingham. A recent Children's Express survey found that two-thirds of secondary schools in Birmingham have banned children from bringing their phones into school. But mobiles are a fact of life that won't go away.
Janet Putman, head teacher of Castle Vale School, understands this and allows mobiles on the premises as long as they are turned off. She says: "We decided that we were in the 21st century and to suggest that they weren't useful was silly. We also felt they were a safety issue, that for young people to be able to contact home was important.
"We've got one or two pupils whose parents are critically ill, if pupils travel they might get held up, buses might break down, there might be bad weather and they need to contact home."
Many adults seem to be concerned at the number of young people who have mobiles, but it is usually parents who by mobiles for their children in the first place.
They want the reassurance of knowing their child can get in contact in an emergency and most young people say they do feel safer if they have a mobile.
In-crowd
Also many children are given mobiles by a divorced parent so they can keep in touch more easily. Often the absent parent doesn't want to ring the home phone and would rather talk to their child directly.
Most teenagers want mobiles because their friends have got them and they want to be part of the in-crowd. They do use them to keep in contact with their families.
Many young people have parents who work full-time and often they are responsible for picking up younger brothers and sisters from school.
But children also spend a lot of time text-messaging friends. On average, young people we spoke to spend between five and ten pounds on mobile credit every two weeks. But a few admitted to spending quite a bit more than this.
As for the possible health risks, young people aren't really concerned about them. They say popularity is more important than their health and they tend to think they are indestructible.
So how do parents feel about their children owning mobile phones?
Paul Atkinson, of Selly Oak, has so far resisted buying a mobile for his daughter, Katy, aged 14.
He says: "They are unhealthy if you believe some of the things said in the news about brain tumours being caused by the microwaves given out by mobiles.
"I think mobiles are useful if a child gets into some sort of trouble, if it's an emergency and they need to get in touch with their parents.
"But I think they are abused by people, including kids, using them on buses and just making silly little phone calls which they don't need to do."
David Welsh, of Edgbaston, has bought a mobile for his 14-year-old daughter Hannah and pays her credit of up to £10 a month.
He says: "I am worried about the health risks. I know that if I use my mobile for a long period of time my ear goes hot and red.
"But I wanted Hannah to have a mobile because if we don't know where she is when she comes out of school it means we can actually ring her and find out if she can get in touch with us if she needs to."
‘I know the risks…but they’re useful’
Samantha Hunt, aged 14, of Longbridge, says: "I have got a mobile and I was given it for Christmas by my dad so I can keep in touch. I don't use it that much and I'm not allowed to have credit until I pay for it out of my pocket money.
"I have mates who were bought mobiles by their dads because their parents are divorced and their dad doesn't want to phone up an talk to their mum."
Jonathan Hudson, 14, of Northfield, says: "I want my mobile because all my mates have one and it's usually relatively cheap to phone them - cheaper than my home phone at weekends.
"I do kind of feel safer when I've got it with me, but sometimes if you're walking down this dark alley using your phone you could make someone think 'He's got a phone, that might be worth something, I'll go and nick it.'
"You have to use it carefully. I know there are risks of radiation and stuff which can put people off. But generally I think they are very useful."
Jeff Stamps, 15, of Edgbaston, says: "I haven't got a mobile phone, but I think I would feel safer with one. Also you can just chat to your friends in your bedroom instead of having to go downstairs.
"I think mobile phones are good for safety and stuff but kids have got to remember to be sensible with them and not to get caught up with fashion but just buy them for what they need."
Chris Singleton, 14, of Selly Oak, says: "I have a phone and I use it most of the time. I always bring my mobile to school and it costs a lot of money, about ten pounds every two weeks. I think kids want mobile phones because they're cool and stuff.
"I do feel safer with my mobile but I've had my phone stolen once and I never got it back."
About the team
This article was produced by Andrew Hopkins, 14, Mathew Dent, 13, Hannah Welsh, 14, and Katy Atkinson, 14. It was published in the Birmingham Evening Mail.
