Sprint Corp. has released a new cell phone called WeGo, which is designed to be used by kids from ages 5 to 12.
WeGo is a phone that parents can control online and track with a GPS, according to KDVR. Parents also have the option to choose the people that their child can call.
"It's a communication for you and the people that you trust the most with your child," said David Owens, head of product development at Sprint.
Mary Geissler, family living educator for UW Extension in Chippewa County, said there are different ways that younger kids can benefit from having a phone, WEAU reported.
"Families that I work with, many of them are not enjoying having two people in the home to look after them," Geissler said. "So these children are often left with strangers or they're visiting a parent on a weekend and it may be up to a lot of different people to pick them up or drop them off. So a cell phone on those circumstances and helping the child learn to use it responsibly would be very appropriate."
The WeGo can only send preset text messages, such as "I'm at school". The phone also has an immediate text message that kids can send if they feel they are in danger.
The phone service is very inexpensive, not including any apps or other smartphone features, Techlicious reported.
The WeGo service starts at $9.99 per month and includes 1,000 minutes of talk and 1,000 text messages.
"Sprint WeGo is the perfect starter phone to give parents peace of mind while teaching kids responsibility- how to keep track of a device, charge it and care for it- at a low price," Owens said. "This device has all of the basics without anything younger children don't need just yet."
The device can be purchased at Sprint stores and other retailers for $199 upfront or for 24 monthly payments of $5, KDVR reported.
Geissler also pointed out the responsibility that parents have with teaching their kids to use the WeGo, WEAU reported.
"The cell phone is simply a tool," Geissler said. "We're still parents, we must be parents, we're responsible, set those boundaries, and I think you're going to have a good experience with it with your child."
