What age do kids get mobile phones ?

Becles

My 9 year old is asking for a mobile, but I've said no. I can't see why he would need one. He's allowed to use the house phone to call friends and has an e-mail address, but he never uses either much.

I've said maybe when he starts secondary school, as he'll be travelling 12 miles each way by bus, and mixing with children who I don't know.

The two way radio's are a good idea. A boy in our street has them, and they play with them often.

I can also recommend the sonic screwdriver as my youngest (7) has one of those and he loves it.

Fait_accompli

I don't think you need a mobile phone until around the age of 16 - I'm sure you're not even allowed to take them into school (which defeats the argument that kids need a mobile to call parents if they're going to be late home).

Edinburghlass_2

Kids are usually allowed to have phones in school as long as they are switched off, they would have to search every kid in a Secondary school at the entrance if they didn't allow them :rolleyes:

My daughter got hers aged 11 as she was starting Secondary school and like Becles had to use a school bus which if she missed she had no way of getting home.

I checked with the school about this before she started and they were absolutely fine with it. I think if kids start messing with their phones in class they will then find their phone confiscated and returned at the end of the day.

Broken_hearted

An 8 year old doesn't need a mobile phone. At that age you should always know where they are and still be picking them up from school.

Lady_S

My partners ex just brought her son a mobile, and he is 7.

bargain_babe

I agree with others, we shoud only give them mobiles when they are off to senior school and are walking on their own - however saying that - I gave my 1st DD a mobile last xmas, just after she started high school - shes now not happy with that one, (it was cheap!!) she says everyone takes the mick because its not cool/new enough and wants a new one!!! Hubby says no - shes upset - DONT START GIVING THEM MOBILES - its never good enough and if it was a brill/cool phone it would probably get nicked!!!

rchddap1

Certainly wouldn't let an 8 year old have one. My partner's daughter was pestering him for one for years. He couldn't see that she'd ever use it and so refused. Her mum was the same. However, it does eventually reach a point when you can see that one would be useful. Somewhere around 11 / 12 / 13 ish. Up until then its a simple case of wanting to show off to their friends with their new mobile phone.

What my partner did one year is to get a new contract phone, and to give the old one (+ free PAYG sim card) to daughter.

wendyl1967

I have two boys. One almost 12 the other 8. The eldest got a phone when he was 10 because he was starting to go to friends houses alone. It was handy for him to let me know where he was as he had about 4 houses locally that he could be at. Before he got the phone I used to make him keep coming home to tell me when they changed house!! It was easier with the phone for him and for me to let him know when his tea was ready!

My youngest got his phone at 8. He just got a cheap £20 nokia 1100 because he copies his big brother and likes to text his friends and his cousin.

The youngest often gets to do things at an earlier age than his eldest brother but I think that is often the case!

I think 8 is an ok age to get a phone. He does not use it for phone calls and just sends some texts to friends. When he sleeps over at friends house he likes to text me and his dad. I think a cheap phone is ideal. I did not get one with games as he has a gameboy and computer for that.

black-saturn

I was livid when my parents bought my 10 year old daughter a mobile phone for Christmas last year. I made it clear that I didn't want her to have one but they still bought it. They said they were going to pay for the credit on it so I let them get on with it. Now my parents are forever topping it up with credit because shes been texting her friends. Now my 9 year old daughter wants one so I've told her she will have to wait till shes 10. She has looked after it though and she will have to start walking to school on her own soon so I am going to ask her to text me when she gets there for the first few days.

comping_cat

My son (10 in September) has been asking about a mobile phone, so i have told him that if he does well in his year 6 SATS (hes just going into year 5 now) then he will get one as a reward, and it will be useful as he will then be walking to and from school on his own, so will be handy to keep in touch with him. He will be almost 12 when he gets his phone, even if he doesnt do well, he will prob get one (due to the fact he will be walking on his own) but it will be a very cheap one, rather than a fancy one. Mind you, i will still be careful what i buy, anything to fancy would put him at more risk of being mugged, which i wouldnt want!!!! DD (a year below DS) hasnt mentioned a phone at all, but will get one when she starts the comp like her brother!!!