Information Society Watch

October 22, 2006, BBC News Service

A study shows that despite fears of happy slapping (a fad in which an unsuspecting victim is attacked while an accomplice records the assault commonly with a camera phone or a smart phone), parents are encouraging their children to actively use mobile phones. They see this as a way to keep in touch with their children and monitor safety. The study also reveals that while parents like to listen to the voices of their children to feel reassured, children prefer text messaging. The fact that children had mobiles gave them a bargaining tool to stay out later than permissible hours. These developments have also caught the attention of politicians who have embarked on initiatives to involve children in politics through mobile channels.

Click here for the complete article