MUMBAI: While one out of four seven- to 10-year-olds already has a phone today, almost 17 per cent more kids own phones in 2009 over 2006, reveals the latest study by Cartoon Network.

The study also states that with phones like Firefly and Teddyfone available for children, the figures are expected to register an increase rapidly. 
 
Industry experts believe that while few parents can say a ‘no‘ to the phones, they may anyway buy it if the machine is cute enough and like a toy.

Many of the new phones are expected to allow parents to keep track on the numbers that can be dialed or even stop text messaging and some will come with a GPS tracker.