Phone options for 10 year old

Counting_Pennies_2

I never, ever thought I would be considering giving my 10 year old a phone.


However, he has started being invited to the park with friends and yesterday was invited on a bike ride with friends.


Many of his friends are now going out, and much as the mummy in me wants him to stay safe at home. I don't think I am doing him any favours refusing to allow him out.


However I found myself wandering the streets looking for him for a good while when it was time to come in. I couldn't find him anywhere. He had cycled round to his friends house, which was absolutely fine.


I would however be happier if he had a phone and I called him or he could call me to ask if it is ok to go somewhere other than I had thought he would be.


Does anyone know what options are out there that would be suitable for a 10 year old.


I am not looking to provide him with the latest accessory, just something that will function.


Has anyone been in this position? What did you go for? What would be the cheapest option?


Many thanks

balletshoes

i'm going to be honest and say getting him a phone may not solve your issue - as he might forget it, not have it charged, or simply not answer it.

i think it would make more sense to impress on him the importance of knowing the time and knowing when its time to come home as agreed - and do it. Discuss consequences with him too.

Kayalana99

I really don't see the big deal with kids having phones - I wasn't allowed one till I was 13 (although 10 years back it was more frowned upon and less kids my age had one)

Walk into Asda etc pick one up for £20-£30 ...it will be a very simple standard pay as you go phone but it will be ideal for a starter phone / to simply know where he is. (I know you are seemingly wanting people to tell you models but a phone is a phone - unless you are looking for the latest fashion accessory then people can advise )


Also don't go for a contract phone - even if he doesn't now you might find him chatting to friends more and more and then the £100 phone bills could start... :-)

greenorange

Kayalana99 wrote: »

I really don't see the big deal with kids having phones - I wasn't allowed one till I was 13 (although 10 years back it was more frowned upon and less kids my age had one)

Walk into Asda etc pick one up for £20-£30 ...it will be a very simple standard pay as you go phone but it will be ideal for a starter phone / to simply know where he is. (I know you are seemingly wanting people to tell you models but a phone is a phone - unless you are looking for the latest fashion accessory then people can advise )


Also don't go for a contract phone - even if he doesn't now you might find him chatting to friends more and more and then the £100 phone bills could start... :-)

I agree/I'm another one who doesn't see the big problem with kids having mobiles. Even if he forgets it, doesn't charge it etc, the few times he does have it is better than not having one at all.

Just pick up a cheap pay as you go, give your child some rules, and off you pop.

If you was asking whether to buy your 10 year old an iPhone 5S on a 24 month contract, I'd have a different response.

balletshoes

if you do want to get him a phone, I'd start with a basic of basics, then he can earn the right, with showing responsibility for it etc, of getting a better one for secondary school.

I just bought this as an emergency phone for payg use (it has no internet or camera, just a basic text and call phone) -

http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/mobile-phones/SAMSUNG_E1190/PPAY?colourCode=SILVER

it takes me right back to 10 years ago, when i had a very similar model .

lilmiss1982

http://shop.tescomobile.com/mobile-phones/pay-monthly/samsung/galaxy+young?deal=11349

This is just £7.50 for 250 mins 5000 text and 500mb data and can be capped so no surprise bills at the end of the month

Kayalana99

lilmiss1982 wrote: »

http://shop.tescomobile.com/mobile-phones/pay-monthly/samsung/galaxy+young?deal=11349

This is just £7.50 for 250 mins 5000 text and 500mb data and can be capped so no surprise bills at the end of the month

I suppose also more advice would be not allowing him access to internet - and OP doesn't need to spend £7.50 a month on a phone that he will hopefully be using less then a few times a week to send a text / odd phone call.

[Deleted User]

Rather than a phone, have you considered a walkie talkie? I have recently bought a set of 4 for £40 off Amazon, but you can get multiples of 2 or 3 etc. I like the fact that I can stay in contact with the children, but I haven't got the worry about them using the phone/internet etc. Ours has a 2 mile radius and it appeals to the kids as they have an earpiece and a built in torch. They play out in the garden pretending to be cops and robbers!!!

theoretica

Some phones you can limit which numbers can be called - if you want him only able to call you, for instance.

Nadstar

lilmiss1982 wrote: »

http://shop.tescomobile.com/mobile-phones/pay-monthly/samsung/galaxy+young?deal=11349

This is just £7.50 for 250 mins 5000 text and 500mb data and can be capped so no surprise bills at the end of the month

Just what I was going to suggest. My Ex-Step-Daughter has one of these and has worked really well (We have had issues with the internet but that was on a laptop/tablet and in front of allegedly responsible adults, sigh! )

Spendless

Do you not have an old disused payg lying around, that can be given to him for now, with a review when you see how much he uses it or not?