Young people are big business for mobile phone traders, with mobile phones being the most requested Christmas present by those aged between 10 and 15 - and about 300,000 being sold to that market this year.
The Cornish Times took to the streets of Liskeard to ask 'Should young people own and use mobile phones?'
Mr Colin Conway believes that it is a good idea for youngsters to have a mobile phone for safety reasons and in case of an emergency.
He said: 'The only downside to mobile phones is the price.' The previous headteacher of Liskeard school and community college, Mr Tony Wood said: 'Generally I am against mobile phones, they are really unnecessary. It would be all right if a child had the opportunity to borrow a mobile phone if they are going out for the evening for safety reasons and to contact home.'
When asked if he agreed with mobile phones being used in schools, Tony said: 'I am definitely against mobiles being used in schools, they can cause bullying and are interrupting in lessons.'
Richard King from The Communications Centre on Pike Street said: 'We get 14 year olds in here asking about and buying mobile phones, usually 'Pay as You Go' phones as any contract phone needs the customer to be over 18.'
Mrs Barbara Rogers said: 'It should be the parents' decision if their child has a mobile phone, but if they do the children should pay the bills themselves.'
A fear harboured by many scientists is that the radioactive and magnetic emissions created by mobile phones may impair brain function or cause cancer - although there has been no conclusive research.
Linda Jewell is aware of the health risks associated with mobile phones and said: 'I think children having mobile phones is awful, I caught the train back from Bristol recently and the amount of mobile phones going off everywhere was ridiculous, and a lot were being used by children.'
She continued: 'If children insist on using a mobile phone then they should pay their own bills, at least to teach them the value of money.
Safety
The one bonus to having a mobile phone is the safety aspect, but really children that age are just not mature enough to appreciate that having a mobile phone should just be for safety and for the minimum use possible, as regards the health risks, and not just as a fashion accessory.'
Wayne Crocker from Alldays Newsagents on The Parade said: 'The youngest people that I have seen buying the mobile phone 'top up' cards must be about 12 years old. I have wanted a mobile phone and even though I am working I still can not afford one, so I really don't see how they can.' Now that about 40 per cent of Britons own mobile phones, the networks are targeting children to keep their sales figures at a reasonable level.
Thelma Cummings has mixed feelings about young people owning mobile phones. She said: 'Children owning mobile phones is good really, as you can know where they are and that they are safe and can get hold of you if they're not. The phone companies are looking for another market in children.'
Thelma believes that parents should give their children a mobile phone as a necessity and not a present for Christmas or for a birthday, and if they have reasonable pocket money they should pay their own bills for the phone if they run them up.
Jackie Radcliff, in Liskeard with Thelma said: 'For safety reasons I think that mobile phones are OK. For example if my sons missed the school bus they could still get hold of someone to come and pick them up. Mobile phones should not be used and owned by children just so that they can be part of the 'in' crowd.'
Jackie has very strong views on mobiles being used in schools. She said: 'Children are there to learn in school, not to be using their mobiles, I can see it starting a whole new set of problems in schools, such as bullying and stealing.'
Thelma added: 'Children do not need mobile phones in schools, even for emergencies as the teachers are responsible for them during the school day.'
Mr Alan Sedgley, Headteacher of Liskeard School and Community College said: 'As far as we are concerned mobile phones are useful devices, as long as they are used at the right time and in the right circumstances. Many of our students live a long way from the school and if they take part in after school activities mobile phones are useful as they can, for example, let their parents know if they will be late, or their parents can contact them to let them know they will be late. Mobile contact in these types of situations is very useful.'
He continued: 'Mobile phones are not to be used and are to be switched off during lesson time. If a mobile phone does go off in a lesson it is treated as a disciplinary matter. The school organises any other matters concerning the pupils, for example if a student falls ill, the situation is dealt with by the teachers and the school office.'
No problem
Mr Sedgley said: 'Our approach does work. Bullying about, and stealing of, mobiles is not a significant problem. We have had one or two rare incidents - usually of students losing the phones. Providing the student deals with the mobile phones responsibly there is no problem.'
It is predicted that 70 per cent of under 18s will have a mobile phone by 2002.