Is your child old enough to have a cell phone? If you said no, a handful of companies are out to change your mind. Pre-teens are the newest targets of cell phone marketers. In fact, about one-third of kids between 11 and 14 have their own cell phone.

Most children fail to understand that time is money with phone service plans. Parents usually end up footing the bill. But phones are handy in emergencies. The line of communication is comforting when your children are out having fun.

Now companies and services are finding middle ground with creative kids' phones. They're small, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive. And they're a lot more parent-friendly.

Firefly

The Firefly phone does not have a traditional numbered keypad. It relies on a programmable contact list that holds up to 20 numbers. The phone features buttons for the list and for speed-dialing Mom or Dad. And it can be set to allow only calls from numbers on the list.