Japan Concerned About Cell Phone Addiction in Children

TOKYO (AP) - Cell-phone use has become so rampant among Japanese youngsters that the government is getting involved.

They've begun a program that'll warn parents and schools about the growing addiction many children have to Internet-linking cell phones.

The government says the problem is elementary and junior high school students who spend hours sending emails and become victims of cybercrimes through their phones.

An education reform panel is pushing for the development of cell phones with only the talking function and GPS, which can help ensure a child's safety.

Japan's education ministry says about a-third of Japanese sixth graders have cell phones and nearly two-thirds of ninth graders have them.

Parents typically pay about 40 dollars a month per phone per child, but can't do much when it comes to monitoring their use.