Choosing right mobile phone for my children

Madmel

I can see both sides of this debate. I'm with FBaby on this one, however, as both DDs have smartphones. Initially I was concerned, so had their login details and retain the right to look at their phones whenever I like. However, they are both sensible and know the dangers, and I rarely bother looking at them now (they are 17 & 15).

Some schools have draconian rules concerning phones. In ours, they should not be used in lessons unless the teacher approves it. I teach a creative subject and we have done some brilliant work using phones. The kids know that it is a privilege to use them, so don't mess about. Years 11 - 13 have separate buildings to the rest of the school and can use their phones sensibly in them. I find it really useful being able to text DD1 when I need to speak to one of her classmates as it saves a long walk.

Social media is something that used to concern me. I allowed the girls to have Facebook accounts, but because I teach at their school, I am not allowed to be friends with them. Trusted friends and then my dad becamw friends with them, so they know that any inappropriate behaviour will get back to me. DD2 has 2 friends whose parents "banned" Facebook. Their daughters simply registered under false names and post merrily on there. I know which I prefer! Both daughters have set up or used closed groups for GCSE revision; DD2 organised her post-GCSE prom using a closed group for communication and DD1 runs her prefect team that way.

I know it's difficult to let go, but kids need to be able to make decisions and mistakes so their develop into rounded adults. I much prefer the open and frank dialogue we have here to the subterfuge of other families. Banning something only makes it more attractive - I think supervision and trust will yield better results.

Shelldean

I think it totally depends on the child. My daughter had a phone at 11. She texted often. I knew where she was every step of journey whether to skl, a friends or into town.
The twins also got phones at 11, one texted often, the other not so much. Second twin is still terrible at communications but we're getting there cos mum calling to check is embarrassing (tho I stopped that when he left school). Youngest was also given at phone at 11, he.rarely used it, if at all. Was only last yr he actually asked for one.....and all because that was the preferred method of contact from his college tutor and senco.

All have had ' the talk' all have got Facebook accounts, which when they was younger I also had the password for, so I could monitor.
Daughter and twin one often on Facebook or what's app. Other two boys rarely so.

The amounts they pay vary, utmost expensive is currently £15 month, as she requires more data.

Always brought them semi decent phones as I was bullied at school for being poor. Not a chance I'd put my kids through that.


To OP I'd say get them a semi decent phone, buy a pay monthly SIM and cap the SIM so once they've used the allowances that's it until renew time. Also put parental locks on so they can't access things you deem unsuitable. Although as another poster said banning them from doing something rarely works, they'll find another way. I prefer them to try things with my knowledge and guidance, as I did with my kids and Facebook

LKRDN_Morgan

DS has a Nokia Lumia which I bought refurbished and unlocked from Ebay and cost a fraction of what it would have cost new. I also got him a heavy duty case so should the inevitable dropping of the handset occur it hopefully won't crack the screen! He's on GiffGaff which costs £5 a month out of his pocket money. He gets free texts, free minutes and some data although the data hardly runs down as he uses wifi and home and hotspots when we're out and about.

Oh and my DS is 10. I'm sure it will horrify some that a 10 year has a smartphone but he's not stupid and neither am I. I know the passcode to the phone and look through it. The internet settings are child friendly which cannot be changed without me being notified via email.

Whether people like it or not technology is a big part of our lives and our kids lives. Maybe not at home for some of you but most definitely at school. I'm not going to deny him a simple phone because I'm paranoid he's going to get into contact with strangers. That's no more likely to happen over Xbox with online games like Minecraft, Warcraft etc that kids seem to be completely obsessed with.
As long as your child is sensible I don't see what the issue is.

Mupette

I can see both sides to this.

My son had a mobile and he lost it, he got a replacement his mate stole it, he wasn't that interested at the time. But i wouldn't let him have one for school. It took a few more years before he got another i think he was 16 then as he had to learn to take care of his things.


What worries me is (this is anyone at any age) those that are so glued to their phones and crossing roads without looking, several times I've slammed my breaks on whilst driving because someone has stepped out. and the driver gets the abuse.. go figure.

I worry that children use the phones on snap chat/facebook etc when in lessons when they should be concentrating on lessons.

Where i work the attitude of the younger staff who can't live without physically being attached to their phones, acting like snowflakes, how on earth did they pass the tests to get an interview?

.j.e.j

I can recommend the Nokia 105. It's about as close to a smartphone as you can get without being a smartphone. And it's cheap :money:

That, and a £5 giffgaff goodybag and you're away. I doubt they'd get much internet surfing done with a fiver credit for the month.

That way you're not banning the phone (thus making it more attractive to them) but you're not enabling them to use the net unsupervised, either.

Win - win :beer: