Kid-tested, mother-approved

Cell phone companies are trying to attract new customers among kids that are barely old enough for grade school, reports BusinessWeek.

A number of manufacturers, such as Firefly Mobile, are designing phones meant to suit the five- to eight-year-old crowd. Most plans give parents control over who the child can talk to on the phone, oftentimes permitting the child access to just a pre-set series of phone numbers.
There are concerns cell phones in the hands of kids that are still learning to read is asking for trouble.

The move by companies in this direction suggests concern that the market among older kids and adults may be maturing, with growth slowing.