Now that your tweenager is back in school, get ready to be asked: "Mom, can I have a cell phone?" It's a question many parents dread.

As kids get busier with their after-school activities and social lives, a cell phone is the best way to stay in touch.

Kids might be more savvy than their parents about high-tech gadgets, but parents understand the responsibilities that come with the technology. When it comes to cell phones, you often hear horror stories of astronomical phone bills generated by kids going bonkers texting and calling.

Giving a 10- or 12-year-old a cell phone is a lot like giving a 16-year-old a car. It represents freedom, but it also demands a sense of responsibility. Enter kajeet: a pay-as-you go cell phone service created specifically for kids - and parents looking for peace of mind.

The kajeet service was created by three fathers who wanted to develop a cell phone service focused specifically on super-serving kids (and of course, their parents). Kajeet gives kids the freedom they crave while offering parents easy ways to manage phone usage and costs, plus the tools to teach kids the responsibility that comes with owning a cell phone.

"Kids are using more advanced mobile devices than even their parents," says Daniel Neal, founder and CEO of kajeet. "They're adept. They're swimming in technology and they're comfortable using it. In building kajeet, we're helping to build the mobile devices and services I want my own daughter (and her parents) to have."

With kajeet, kids get stylish, full-featured phones they can use as they wish, whether talking, texting or picture messaging. The service offers lots of fun stuff: kid-appropriate games, wallpapers and ring tones kids can use to express themselves. Meanwhile, parents appreciate kajeet's pay-as-you-go system, which obviates long-term contracts, wasted minutes and hefty activation and termination fees.

How will your kid be able to use the phone? Who can call and text your child (and vice versa)? What features can and can't be used? The kajeet Configurator is a suite of easy-to-use online tools that lets you work with your kids to tailor the kajeet service for your family's unique needs.

Worried that your kid might spend too much money on texts to friends? WalletManager lets you set up distinct account "wallets" for kids and parents that allow you to determine together who pays for what. The parent wallet can pay for family calls while your kid's wallet can fund calls and texts with friends. Money in the parent wallet ensures that your kids can always get through to you, even if they've used up all the money in their wallet.

Worried about phone use during school or late at night? TimeManager lets you set up when calls and text messages can and can't go through to the phone. With just a few clicks on the easy-to-use kajeet Web site, you can manage phone use during math class or after lights-out.

For more information about kajeet, visit www.kajeet.com. Kajeet is also available in Best Buy and Limited Too stores.