Free-Range Kids

[Black Aeronaut]

http://freerangekids.wordpress.com/
This blog is awesome!  When I become a parent, I'm going to be all for letting my kids run around like they ought to; mentally ingrained with all the basic safety precautions, but free to more or less come and  go as they please.  I have plenty of fond memories of going outside for hours on end and coming home filthy but happy.
Although, the idea of giving your kids a cell phone that is strictly for emergencies strikes me as a good idea.  Oughta be right up there with bicycle helmets.

[ECSNorway]

Agreed.

There's a product idea. Cell phones for kids. Locked in so that they can only call approved numbers.
--
Sucrose Octanitrate.
Proof positive that with sufficient motivation, you can make anything explode.

[Sweno]

they do make those, cell phone with 3 big buttons that you program.

I forget what company makes them though
-Terry
-----
"so listen up boy, or pornography starring your mother will be the second worst thing to happen to you today"
TF2: Spy

[Foxboy]

The "Oh my god, how paranoid ARE you?" posts are a little disheartening.
''We don't just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat
them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary.''

-- James Nicoll

[Morganite]

they do make those, cell phone with 3 big buttons that you program.

I forget what company makes them though

Probably more than one.

I remember us having one kind at work once, though I don't remember the name. Hated the damn things. Not because the *idea* was bad. (Though, I'm also not entirely sold on it.) But because you were locked into using their service with them, and it was insanely expensive compared to the regular prepaid phones. I think we sold one in the entire time we had them, and it was when they were on clearance.

-Morgan.

[Black Aeronaut]

Yeah, as far as I'm concerned, better off giving them a simple pre-paid phone. If they're abusing it you'll know right away.

Hrm... something I've heard from somewhere... is it true that in the US that cell phones that do not have services are still able to dial out to 911?

[VladimirTherin]

Yes, its a fcc mandate that all phones must be able to dial 911
Even payphones will allow it without charge.
Operating a phone that cant call 911 is actually illegal, iirc.
Not all of the prepaid phones support "E911" however, which is that gps hook that lets 911 know where you are if you have to call them, FWIW.

[Black Aeronaut]

Not all of the prepaid phones support "E911" however, which is that gps hook that lets 911 know where you are if you have to call them, FWIW.

Something to keep in mind when phone shopping, for certain.  (o_o

[DHBirr]

How do free-range kids taste deep-fried?
-----
Big Brother is watching you.  And damn, you are so bloody BORING.

[robkelk]

They're not fryers - they're fricasseeing rabbits... er, kids!
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012