Technology moves too fast, especially in the UK where the first cell phone was launched, marketed specifically at children as young as four years old!
Don't be fooled by its simplicity, though. The phone is categorically not a toy. While there is no texting or internet facility, the so-called 1stFone makes real calls—with up to 12 pre-assigned numbers so Mommy and Daddy can be reached at the push of a button.
OwnFone, the phone's manufacturers, claim the basic nature of the phone rules out the risk of "online abuse, viewing inappropriate material or phone muggings."
Let that just sink in a minute. Why on earth would your four year old be at risk of any of the latter?
“Marketing mobiles to pre-school children is wrong," said Netmums.com founder Siobhan Freegard in an article in the UK Sun. “No four-year-old should be left alone or in a situation where they need to ring an adult.”
At £55 (around CD$85), a 1stFone deal of course includes rolling contracts and pay-as-you-go.
Notwithstanding the health advisories about cell phone use by under-16s, is this yet another shining example of companies profiteering from parental paranoia or simply a safety-minded 'first step'?
So it's all hail mothers this weekend. But where in the world do mothers get the best treatment? An article in the Huffington Post has the full breakdown of the top 30 countries celebrating motherhood.
Not surprisingly a woman's experience of motherhood (and by extension, her child's quality of life) depends on many variables: from health, children’s well-being, educational status, economic status, and political status.
Where does Canada figure, you might be wondering, in Save the Children's 14th annual Mothers’ Index about the state of motherhood in 176 countries.
Australia and many European countries snagged the top spots to be a mom, while not surprisingy sub-Saharan African countries hit rock bottom. The United States only made it to 30, ranking below Israel, Poland, and Singapore.
Canada, sadly, didn't fare all that much better, coming in at 22. With this disturbing stat: "One in 178 children will die before their 5th birthday."
To see the the full 30, click to view the slideshow.
Could be better? Could be worse?
Health Canada has recalled the above 250 mL (8 oz) and 500 mL (16 oz) stainless steel food containers after testing revealed that the containers contain excessive amounts of lead. If ingested, lead can harm children.
While neither Health Canada nor Fill Your Own has received any reports of incidents relating to use of the containers, customers are advised to stop using, and dispose of, the containers immediately.
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