A Hamilton Parish mother is questioning the logic behind the sale of pagers to minors.

Her 16-year-old daughter purchased a pager worth $135 on Monday from Telecom, but was not able to have it activated because she was under the age of 18.

Pagers have become a popular fad among young people.

"Why did they sell it to her if they won't service it?'' the mother, who asked not to be identified asked. "Why don't they tell the children that they won't activate it before they buy the pager?'' The mother also noted that her daughter bought the pager and that the responsibility will be on her to see that the bills are paid.

The Royal Gazette understands that companies who sell pagers have policies in which minors can buy pagers, but cannot have them activated unless they have written consent from an adult or someone over the age of 18 years.

According to Telecom sales representative Rex Osbourne their policy is that they do not sell or rent pagers to minors.

"The reason why they won't activate it is because they feel that many of the young people will not pay for the service,'' Mr. Osbourne said.

"We cannot refuse sale. If they want a pager, then they can buy one. But it won't be activated.'' Robert Rovredo, sales representative at Cellular One, said his company will not sell pagers to anyone under the age of 18 years.

The policy was implemented after an incident in which a mother angrily complained about the sale of a pager to her 17-year-old son.

"Young people have to come with an adult,'' Mr. Rovredo said. "You have to have the adult's signature in order to purchase a pager.'' "There will be no purchase or activation unless they are with a legal guardian,'' he stressed.

Mr. Terrance Douglas, general manager of Unlimited Supplies, has noticed something different when it comes to young people paying their bills.

He said: "The young people who have pagers are among the first at the beginning of the month to pay their bills.'' However, he added that his company also had the policy of allowing minors to purchase pagers, but not activating them unless the youngster has the consent of a person over the age of 18 years.

Mr. Douglas explained: "Lots of times parents buy pagers so that their children are in contact.

"Before children used to stay in their neighbourhoods. Now they go two or three parishes away.'' Mr. Douglas said he believed that most parents did not want their children to have pagers because of the association with the drug trade. And he said many felt that their children do not need them.''