Question

Tweens range in age from 8 to 12 years and are characterized as sophisticated, early-maturing teenagers concerned primarily with their appearance, weight, and sexuality.

LISTEN to the NPR Podcast and/or read the Transcript: Getting a Cell Phone for your Tween (https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5361850)

Should your teen or preteen have a cell phone? Explain your answer.

Do you think that you need to be in touch with your child at all times? Why or Why not?

Why have advertisers created this “Tween Market”?

Answer 1

In my opinion, teens and preteens need not have a mobile phone because it’s like carrying a personal distraction along with them every time. It also reduces their thinking capability and social skills. This leads them to make unnecessary contacts with unknown people through social networking sites and get into trouble. A cellphone today is not just for making calls but it’s got the entire world in it. Children lose their imagination because they get used to more visuals thus lacking reading and cultivating imagination and creativity.

It’s not necessary to be in touch with them every time because Children in this age group are always accompanied by adults and monitored by them, so if the primary use of the mobile phone is to make calls, then there is no necessity for a cellphone as someone will be always around them

People in this age group are more worried about their physical appearance, social status, getting new items in order to be recognized as important among their peers and manage the peer pressure. So advertisers have created this Tween Market knowing the purchase power of this age group.

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