Mobile Phone Usage in Japan

A survey covered by Sankei reveals that while 60% of adults are against elementary school kids owning a mobile phone, 60% of elementary school kids say that they approve of them owning one ^^;

Some of the reasons that adults gave to their disapproval were "they should wait until they can pay their own phone bill" and "want to protect them from harmful and bully sites."

The kids say that they "want to use a mobile phone for mail and other forms of communication."

Folks who live or have visited Tokyo would have noticed many kids on their own walking about town using a mobile phone. Some parents want thier kids to have one so that they can keep tabs on them using the GPS tracking inside the mobile units. Also, some phones for kids have an anti-kidnapper-device which lets out a screech when the cord is pulled.

What do you think about young children owning a mobile? Would you/do you let your young ones own one? How about in your region - many kids you see is using them?

Image of elementary school student on mobile from Gelbooru.