I was never allowed to have a mobile phone until I had a job and could purchase and pay for the credit myself. In the meantime, mum and dad would lend me their mobile phone if I was out and about so I could get in contact with them if needed and they could call to check in, kwim? I think for an 8yo that's probably a sufficient solution at least some of the time? I dunno, I've got a while to go before I have to start thinking about kids and mobiles lol, but I definitely don't want my kids to have Crackberries in prep lol