According to predictions by Yankee Group, over 10 million
While many children will turn to conventional devices and use minutes contained in family plans, there is also the option of getting a mobile phone that has especially been designed with kids in mind.
Those handsets are at times brightly coloured and designed to fit perfectly into smaller hands. Some are rather simple – they only have 3 to 5 large buttons in place of the more complicated keys on the usual keypad. They also contain special features that allow parents to better control whom their children are calling and when, as well as what and how much content can be downloaded.
Of the available children-specific devices, the ones from Disney Mobile most resemble traditional mobile phones. However, the company also sells additional accessories like cases decorated with Tigger or similar motifs. Prices vary greatly – from free (in combination with a calling plan) to $200 for a sophisticated model with additional features like Bluetooth and a camera.
Other handsets appear more like toys. Modeci’s TicTalk is oval-shaped, and the traditional keypad has been replaced with a scrolling wheel. It also has stripped-down service features and offers parental control.
Firefly
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