Editor’s note: Today’s letters to the editor are from Southwest Junior High students learning about persuasive writing.

To the editor:

Many teens want these updated tools for the fun of keeping in contact with friends and family, but also to be safe. Parents consider these reasons for giving teens a cell phone.

In this new age many crooks are out waiting to take a loved one from your family. By giving a cell phone with a locator in it, you can help find your loved one more quickly.

Adults learned life lessons by making mistakes or taking on responsibility. Now kids will also learn by having something that has to be taken seriously. Also setting limits on texting and calling can teach kids to set limits on items when they get older.

Parents, since the costs of things are rising, giving a teen a cell phone is not on the top of your list, but knowing that your kid could be a lot safer with one may ease your mind. The cost is important to think about but if you get a family plan you can save and also have an easy way to contact your child.

From an AT&T survey, 94 percent of parents agree giving teens phones are good options, they also said that cell phones are becoming huge life lines for themselves and their teens. Giving your child a cell phone, knowing that they can be safer and learn responsibility at the same time is a great plan.

Sarah Smoot,

Southwest Junior High