CNN iReport

Where we live most kids have cell phones by age 10 on average. Here are the top 10 reasons why:

1) By middle school or junior high just, about all kids carry a cell phone, or "cell" at all times, so it makes them feel grown-up, like you trust them with something of value.

2) Many kids take medication and/or have allergies and could need sudden attention. It is a safety issue really, so in an emergency they can always contact someone.

3) Most kids have working parents that need to be contacted after school or from activities.

4) The phones are generally not used during the day until high school, when kids mainly text message and make some calls between classes and after school as well, usually to coordinate plans or call for rides.

5) There are no or very few "pay phones" left in our area, so cells are the only way to reach people from public places.

6) Cells are great on weekends too for divorced families so kids can always reach the parent with whom they are not staying and the other parent can reach the child without having to go through the x-spouse.

7) There are great free or inexpensive games for entertainment in the car or in waiting areas.

8) They are just part of socialization here, as the home phone was when we were kids, except they have photos, videos, games and music as added value.

9) As far as the safety of the cells, my kids text, play games, and use the photos and video, more than they even talk on the phones. They do not talk long when they do talk, usually just calls to make plans and have brief conversations. Unfortunately, cordless home phones also have similiar "Brain Cancer" warnings anyway. I'm not convinced any technology including wireless Internet is completely healthy or safe, but not terribly worried either because we would probably know by now if it were extremely risky. Obviously, if studies show increasing harm, I would reconsider exposing my children or myself to those risks.

10) Since our A T & T phones were free, and we share minutes that also rollover each month if not used, it is not much more of an additional expensive. We can save almost as much because don't need a home phone at all really.