Just wanted to get everyone's thoughts on mobile phones for kids - at what age do you think is appropriate??

Luke is going to be 10 in July, and I think he is FAR too young to have a mobile phone - he is only just learning how to spell properly, yet he wants a phone to text his friends???!!!

I would have thought that this was something that was far too mature for a 10yr old, but lately I have noticed students coming to lessons with them - that are Luke's age - and quite a few of his friends have them as well

In his arguments to have one Luke has tried everything - 'So I can call you if I miss the bus from school' (Uh, the teacher stands with them all until they all get on AFTER escorting them from the classroom...) "So I can call you if I'm at home and you're at the shops and I need something...' (Uh, he isn't left at home alone - he's 10 - and if that weren't the issue, we have a home phone!)...

We have told him there is absolutely no reason why he needs one - if he isn't with one of us, he's with another adult - who have phones - or he's at school - where they also have phones....!!!!!

What age do you think mobile phones are necessary??

Clearly he wants one, not becsuse they're necessary, but because its what everyone else is doing... we are the meanie parents that won't fold to the trend.... are we in the minority???

We've told him to ask us again when he's 15 :P