I am a child of the 80's I don't think this would surprise. I have noticed less and less respect from kids every few years. I have seen many parents with young kids giving into them too easily. I also hate that parents have there 8 year olds with cell phones and that they text.
I used to be in the same cell phone camp.
I am also a "child of the 80's" (born in 1970)
My 8 y/o does not have one - yet. She will next year. My 10 y/o does have one.
It makes life in general a LOT easier when she can call to tell me softball practice is running late or that art class at the rec center was canceled.
Right now she and her sister are in the same school, but next year she moves up to middle school, so I will be getting her sister a phone as well.
She does not sit there and texr friends or talk to them. The phone is a tool, and she uses it as such. Sure there is there occassional text to friends to arrange a meeting or ask about a class assignement, but nothing along the lines of "I m bored, wat r u doing?" Phones are also off and away the entire school day.
I am the same way with my kids with their Nintendo DS. They play them at home, or on car trips, but not in the grocery store, at restaruants waiting for dinner, in line at WDW, or any scenario like that. It's a big world with lots of people, try interacting with them.
Although I will admit, their new thing is playing 20 questions whenever we get in the car. Makes me want to beat my head on the dash sometimes
-dave