Mobile Phones...

[Hollybolly]

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

[Nicambhar]

Holly, all my kids have mobiles and are pretty responsible with them. Our youngest being 10 in July. We use a prepaid system with them JIC they do anything stupid, such as sign up for dumb ringtones that end up costing more than my weekly salary.
The only reason they have them is because one uses public transport and also they don't attend the same school, so if I get caught picking up the first or the traffic is bad I can call them straight away.
I do think 10 is too young if there isn't a good reason to have it and I would probably say 14 or 15 if it were just to keep in contact with friends.

[Phteven]

There is phone called gecko designed for kids - only 20 numbers and parental controls. I saw it at the supermarket last week.
Gecko - The mobile phone for kids

I don't think you're mean. If he doesn't need it to call you then there's no need for a 10 year old to have a phone. Delayed gratification never hurt anyone. If he's really, really passionate about it maybe you can offer him a way of earning it over 6 months to a year ie extra work around the house and garden to earn the cost of a cheap pre-paid and ongoing chores to cover his call costs each month. I think that 10 is a good age to start learning to save to reach goals. Don't forget to put his superannuation aside

[blue_hebe]

I was talking with my DH about this tonight. Neither he nor I have a moblie phone and we just hope our children won't want one either....I'm sure they will, but I can live in denial for a little longer!

Personally, I think 10 is too young. I figure that there are landlines at school and at home that can be used when/if required.

15 or 16 years old makes sense to me because they can then earn their own money and pay for it themselves.

Good luck with whatever you decide and I hope your son respects your decision.

[aussienic]

We have been thinking about this for our son as we have just started letting him have a bit more freedom about things..

I like that gecko phone.. Will check the link out properly in the mornings