Mobile Phones- Is 10 too young?

dori2o

Eldest daughter has been dropping hints that she wants a mobile phone for Christmas.

We're not sure as she's only 10, but all her friends have one.

With my provider and with Virgin due to the Internet/phone etc, we can get her one for less than £10 a month and they will block outgoing calls/texts once the 'free minutes/texts have been used up.

Any thoughts?

Al1x

I think its too young.. i can't see why a 10 year old would need a phone.

kayandy_2

i got my first phone when i was 10 as i was soon to be going into high school and my mum thought it would be a good idea for me to have one so i could keep in contact with her if im out with friends etc or at their house and all my friends had one...
its completly up to you but if she had one you could always have contat with her if shes at a friends and an emergancy happenes etc

midnightraven3

all 3 of mine had one at 10, same reasons as kayandy above me
they went to school quite far away from home (dropped off and picked up) but i liked knowing they could get in touch with me if needs be

never have i had a big bill etc
everyone they know are on O2, everyone i know except 2 people are O2
so free texts and calls

Doom_and_Gloom

My parents got me a PAYG mobile when I went to secondary school. It was for emergencies only and only they topped it up.
I got my first contract mobile at 13 when I had earnt their trust and while they encouraged me to use my contract amounts it was very clear that if I went over I would be punished so I always made sure I had mins left.

I don't see the need for a 10 year old to have a contract mobile. A PAYG cheap phone with the odd £10 top up every 3-6 months should do it.

Hollie84

I had my first at 12 i wouldnt buy my 10yr old one

RachyD_3

Wow, I think 10 is too young. I was just fine at 10 without a mobile - I'm sure op was too )

PootleFlump_3

Personally think its too young but loads of kids have them nowadays so there is an element of not wanting them to feel like all their mates have got them and they dont. I dont think you can compare it to when we were young because its a complete different scenario nowadays. I think from a safety point of view its a good idea when they are a bit older but do think 10 is a bit young as its likely you will know where your kids are at any given time at that age. x

my3girls

My dd1 isn't 9 yet but still has a phone. All her friends do too, think its just the day and age tbh!

Dd's is symplistic (my old phone) and payg, think i've topped it up twice. Its actually really handy for me phoning her if she's at a friends, staying at her grans, and more recently on a school camping trip.

I think its good for responsibility and independence, and safety! There was a mix up at dd's dance class once and they shut an hour early and locked all the kids out (fuming but thats another subject altogether!) DD was able to phone me to pick her up.

I wouldn't get a contract, but payg. She can always earn her pocket money to top up. DD is allowed to txt her friends and texts are free, but the calls are for emergency only.

Hope this helps?

Jenni
x

tinkerbellsmum_2

my dd is 10 next week and she has a mobile but never uses it.

LJM

my daughter has one for the simple reason for me to keep track for where she is she is very sensible and knows it is not a toy,she uses it only when she goes to the shop/park or friends house.she has emergency contacts stored in there and has only used £5 of credit since last december