First question: do you even have kids that age? If you don't, you really don't know what you're talking about.

Now, phones can cause a lot of issues. That's certainly true, and parents need to be vigilant. There should be no expectation of privacy on a cell phone provided by the parents.

But, my kids are heavily involved in extra curriculars. Them having a phone is extremely helpful when play practice runs long, or when choir council has a meeting, etc. Plus, I have a daughter with Type I diabetes. A cell phone for her is actually life saving, and has done exactly that on many occasions.

Until you're at that point, it's pretty difficult to judge. And even then, it's really next to impossible for you to make a general statement about a cell phone policy and have it be worth anything more than for your specific family.