Kid's Cell Phones

Have any of you seen those new commercials for the Disney cell phone that is for 10-15 year olds (here is the website)? When I did, I was a little shocked. I was thinking, why would a 10 year old need a cell phone??? Why let them have something to call all their friends when the house phone is available...and cheaper? I understand that you can use the phone to track your kids and you can limit when they are allowed to call as well as determine how many minutes they are allowed to use, but again, why would a 10 year old need a cell phone? And one that starts at $60 a month??!!

Am I just behind on the times? Should kids have cell phones today? Are we, as parents, having that much trouble keeping track of our children? Or is it okay for kids have a phone just for emergencies (cause they wouldn't abuse the luxury, right?!)?

After getting my drivers license, as well as a job, my parents gave me a pager. I was the only one at my school or at my work to have one, but my dad got them free through his job. So when my parents needed/worried about me around my scheduled work time, all they had to do was send me a page. I would immediately call them to let them know what I was up to at the time. They would also send messages by using certain numbers that when turned up side down made letters...remember doing that? (For example: 17-31707-1=I love U)

Now I can understand giving a driving 16 year old a cell phone. If we can afford it, my hubby and I plan on doing this with our children...after they get a job of course. We want to be able to get a hold of them whenever we need them. And I also want them to have a phone in case of emergencies on the road. But the phone will be a luxury, and again, only something our kids will have after getting themselves a job.

What do you think? Are you all for letting 10-15 year olds have their own cell phones? When are you too young to need/have your own phone? Am I behind the times in thinking that any child 15 and under is too young to have a phone?