What age do kids get mobile phones ?

Sparky67

My OHs ex bought their 8 year old one - I don't agree with it at all. She just keeps giving her top-up money for a continuous supply of credit (although I don't think it goes down that quickly because none of her friends have got one!)

No-one seems to have mentioned the potential health risks either of such a young person using them - my OH disagreed with the phone but couldn't do much about it - however he now does keep ringing her on it - so much for emergency use only!

ruthyjo

My 10 year old son has been asking for a mobile for ages and I've always said no. I can't understand who he would ring - I always say there's the landline ring them on that and he never picks it up so obviously not that keen to actually communicate with his friends. He's going to a school a long way away by bus next week and I'm having that dilemna of does he need one for emergencies? My main reservations are that he'll get into trouble for messing with it in class and that he'll be very vunerable to being mugged.

thebritishbulldog

I don´t think children should have mobile phones. They don´t have much use for it. Apart from getting exposed to the radiations that give long term cancer, having to pay for the maintenance of the terminal and of course getting strange calls that is if you don´t restrict them. If your child wants a new gadget in the house just to play with, then try buying him a Game Boy or the Playstation Portable. Another issue is if you want educative games or not.
Another thing is that he may be hooked on the video games and not concentrate on his studies.
Also try getting stuff that he needs.
I hope that my comment will be of some use.

Rachie_B

patchwork_cat wrote:

Hi

So my 8 year old has a phone. It is second hand, but a Nokia that you can get covers for, so she has a hello Kitty and polar bear cover for it which cost next to nothing on ebay and it looks like a different phone. She takes it with her when she plays with her friend on our cul de sac or the football field up the road.

I wouldn't have even bought her a second hand one yet if it hadn't been for her brother. Also she felt left our as she was the only family member without one.

Personally I do phone my daughter to tell her tea is ready - better than traipsing around all the neighbours gardens or bellowing for her. I don't see what is wrong with that.

its lazy IMO

and 8 yrs old is to young for having a mobile i think

what if she lost it ? or got it stolen form a gang of older kids etc ?!!!

whats the harm in her telling you where she will be as at age 8 she should do that anyway IMO

i wouldnt allow my 8 yr old to roam the close / street / cul de sac etc

thebritishbulldog

ruthyjo wrote:

My 10 year old son has been asking for a mobile for ages and I've always said no. I can't understand who he would ring - I always say there's the landline ring them on that and he never picks it up so obviously not that keen to actually communicate with his friends. He's going to a school a long way away by bus next week and I'm having that dilemna of does he need one for emergencies? My main reservations are that he'll get into trouble for messing with it in class and that he'll be very vunerable to being mugged.

It is a good idea for boys/girls to have mobile phones just in case of emergency but the problem of having it in class may distract attention from school subjects and like ruthyjo says, mugging and pickpocketing is very possible. Also addiction draws children from a open life.
Also, children could recive calls or messages from strangers that they do not know.
The SAR radiation volume is very high and I wonder if children should carry these radioactive devices everywhere they go. The phone companies should find a way to bring the radiation down.

saubryn

My niece was 10 when she got her mobile - she actually got given a relatives when they upgraded, and we just unlocked it and stuck a PayG sim in it.

She wastes a lot of money sending junk texts to people, and tried to use it to buy Habbo Hotel credits once, but she is slowly learning that she can't have as many top-ups as she wants.

patchwork_cat

I have not questioned your parenting - so don't question mine. She would not have it taken from her by a gang of kids - I would not let her out if there were any gangs around here.If she lost it she lost it - she knows there will be no replacement. My daughter does not roam , but if she is in her friends garden i don't want to be bothering them all the time . I think that you have to base your childs freedom on their intelligence and maturity - which she has in abundance,not all children do.
She will only go places that I approve of and I trust her.

kate1976

My son (11) was given my friend's old mobile when he upgraded, he only uses it if he's staying at my parents or his friends so he can text me to tell me what he's up to, I won't allow him to take it out when he's playing out or take it to school though!

Peakma

Thankyou all for your comments.
He already has quality walkie talkies,and Dr.who ones-niether of which get used.Aso already has the sonic screw driver.If he had a phone he nor his dad would want him to have a cheap simple one.He does look after his stuff very well,and would he highly unlikely to bbreak or lose it.
He doesn't go out on his own but ,thats a whole other issue,we live in a friendly village,and live opposite a park,which he would like to be allowed to go to alone,many of his friends do,so maybe I have to let go a little?
Its the health implications which are my main concern.

kittykate_2

patchwork_cat wrote:

I have not questioned your parenting - so don't question mine. She would not have it taken from her by a gang of kids - I would not let her out if there were any gangs around here.If she lost it she lost it - she knows there will be no replacement. My daughter does not roam , but if she is in her friends garden i don't want to be bothering them all the time . I think that you have to base your childs freedom on their intelligence and maturity - which she has in abundance,not all children do.
She will only go places that I approve of and I trust her.

No offence but bad things can happen on your back street and not by gangs either, other children can be quite capable of doing bad things (take, for example, recent happenings that have been in the news). You can trust your daughter as much as you like, and I'm sure you have every reason to, but you can not trust other people. You never know who anyone is and what they are capable of.

Items like mobile phones, smart gadgets, money, designer trainers are all wanted by children and adults alike and all attract crime. I think allowing an 8 year old child to have a mobile is asking for them to be robbed. Kids get their phones nicked all the time simply because they are an easy target. It's not their fault, it's not the parents' fault, it's societies fault for placing such high value and need on these kind of items. Unfortunately this is what happens and it is a shame, an absolute shame.