Kids and cell phones

When my children were infants and toddlers, I used to be horrified by the parents that gave their bigger kids cell phones. I used to look it as pure spoiled. My son is almost 10 years old, he walks my 6 year old daughter home from school. This was not out of my original choice, but because I work full time, and interestingly enough neighbours were not willing to help me out and bring my children home from school, which I would’ve gladly done for them if I could, they have to walk. Being a little bit concerned about their safety, I have given my son my cell phone to take along with him. He keeps it in a special place in his school bag, and it is not to be used at school, nor are his friends allowed to even know that he has it. If ever there is a safety or emergency issue, I have taught him only how to switch it on, call 911, and dial the very next emergency contact number. Each day when they are home safely I take it back from him and put it away. He does not ever use it during weekends or any other time, it is purely there for the safety of their walk home and that’s it. For those of you whose children are infants and toddlers, you are probably quite horrified at the idea, like I used to be. For me, it is just a tiny tiny bit of “peace of mind” for their safe walk home.