TECHNOLOGY regulation and government relations .

Educating the future If the globe is to become truly connected and able to responsibly exploit the benefits of mobile and internet connectivity , education of future generations is paramount , and something which the CTIA supports through a number of programmes .

GrowingWireless . com is scheme designed to provide parents with tools and information to educate themselves so they may teach their children how to use wireless technology responsibly , made extremely prevalent by the fact that on average youngsters are 12 years old when they receive their first smartphone . More than half ( 56 percent ) of eight to 12 year olds own such devices .

Related to this is the On the Road , Off the Phone campaign , also backed by the CTIA and aimed at educating young drivers on the dangers of using mobiles on the road .

At the other end of the age spectrum , AccessWirelss . org is another CTIAbacked site which helps elderly and disabled people to discover and utilise the benefits of mobile and connectivity .

As the rise of mobile and internet continues to gather pace , industry leaders and associations continue their quest to get the world connected and up to speed to what may well already be to some a sector unfathomable just a few short years ago .

39