Raffi writes to Mr. Rogers: Just say no to kiddie cellphones

Raffi, the well-known children's songwriter and performer (and composer of "Bananaphone"), has written a letter to Ted Rogers, the Chairman of Rogers Communications, and head of the wireless and magazine publishing empire (Maclean's, Chatelaine, Canadian Business etc.), pleading with him not to market cell phones to children.

The text of the letter was published in a California blog. We have confirmed this with Raffi Cavoukian's office. The letter says, in part:

Your company's recent decision to market cellphones to those as young as eight is regrettable. Not only is there the matter of ethics, first and foremost, there's also the risk to children posed by these costly devices, which could become tools by which corporations can 'reach' kids. Today's assurances that these phones are 'protected' can't be guaranteed for long, as more and more companies join the junior cell phone gold rush and offer new 'features' to secure market share.

There's enough fear mongering at present without scaring families into purchases they don't need. The fear used in advertising costly phones to kids (and their parents) in the guise that the kids might be safer is deplorable. And how should families feel that can't afford cellphones? No doubt, cellphones for preteens has been thoroughly focus-grouped. But the idea lacks integrity, and it lacks wisdom.

Ted, now's the time to be a true hero and say NO to advertising to kids, for any reason. Call a meeting of your shareholders and scrap the cellphones for kids idea. Say it's wrong. Show us that Rogers won't join the corporate gang that targets kids, that Rogers will be a leader and will respect the rights of children and families not to be exploited.