Back in journalism school, I covered telecom for the student news service and wrote a piece about teens and cell phones. I remember one of the teens I interviewed calling cell phones "electronic leashes" because their parents could always at least try to reach them. Now that cellphone companies are beginning to integrate GPS tracking into cellphones, parents will be able to track their teens movements down to the speed limit at which they are traveling. This was the example given in today's L.A. Times column (reg. required) that explores the advantages of GPS tracking vs. the price of privacy. If adoption becomes widespread, I wonder if cellphones will take on a different meaning with teens. But of course — today's teens get along with their parents so well, it shouldn't matter, right?

In other wireless trends, The Sydney Morning Herald (registration required) reports that for Japanese teens, who are already using their phones in every way possible, are now obsessed with accessories "like straps, antenna rings, photo stickers and fake gems reflecting the owner's personality."

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