at what age would you allow your child to own a mobile phone?

upinthesky

My son is eight i personally think this is to young but i have heard of a phone that just excepts two certain numbers it cant take photos or any thing anyone bought one of these for there child?

egan2020

I have an eight year old daughter. My father bought her a mobile phone for her birthday last year. It was a novelty for a couple of weeks and then she lost interest. She never thought to bring it anywhere with her and when my phone broke, she offered hers to me without hesitation. My niece got one at 11 years and she gets more use from it. My sister doesn't allow her have the phone stuck to her at all times and doesn't allow her use a password so she can check her messages and who's she's been calling etc.

I think the phone you're referring to is the Firefly phone - http://www.fireflymobile.com/

gcgirl

I think they are called firefly, I got a samsung clamshell one free off an operator it does not have a camera for my son is 6 nearly 7 just to have when I pop out his aunty is there with him and like any boy his quite attached to me he simple rings me for whatever and I also find it reassuring if we are out he wears it around his neck .

Fittle

Im similar to egan - my son got a phone for his 8th birthday last year and as soon as the novelty wore off, he was happy to give it to me (his uncle got it for him).

Having said that, I think it depends on the circumstances...in my case, my son plays out on road everyday and I found it very handy for those few weeks, to ring him for dinner, tell him it was time to come home etc. This was only relevant in the summer, as once the dark evenings came in, he didn't go out when I got in from work. This year, he'll be going around the corner to play in the field (he's football mad) where I won't be able to see him (no roads to cross, literally out my back window) so I'd like the idea of him having a phone on him then. However, there is a huge chance he'll lose it....

I think it depends on the circumstances - if you think it's important for you to be able to contact your child, then get them a basic phone, or the firefly one...but I agree with egan about 11 is when they (themselves) seem to start getting some use out of it.

bullvine

My 7 year old Daughter has one but she only uses it when she goes outside the house, otherwise its turned off and hanging up in the kitchen press. I use to be dead against it but now I wouldnt let her go out without it.

Most of her friends have one as well, the clamshell ones are the best because they dont have to worry about buttons so it easy for them to use.

upinthesky

egan2020 wrote: »

I have an eight year old daughter. My father bought her a mobile phone for her birthday last year. It was a novelty for a couple of weeks and then she lost interest. She never thought to bring it anywhere with her and when my phone broke, she offered hers to me without hesitation. My niece got one at 11 years and she gets more use from it. My sister doesn't allow her have the phone stuck to her at all times and doesn't allow her use a password so she can check her messages and who's she's been calling etc.

I think the phone you're referring to is the Firefly phone - http://www.fireflymobile.com/

yes thats it thank you for the link

amiable

Hi OP. There was a thread on this phone last year. See below

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056052097&highlight=firefly

Chuchoter

For the firefly I think any age, but a proper phone not until they are 11 or 12. I know 7 and 8 year olds with proper mobile phones, I just think its kind of insane tbh.

Fittle

crayolastereo wrote: »

For the firefly I think any age, but a proper phone not until they are 11 or 12. I know 7 and 8 year olds with proper mobile phones, I just think its kind of insane tbh.

Can I ask why?

My 8yr old got one (like i said, a present) and I found it really useful. He had 3 numbers programmed into it and it was topped up with 5euro credit. It worked really well for him when he was in the childminders too for example, and wanted to ring me to ask a homework question (for example). As I said, the novelty of it soon wore off him too - but while he had it, I could see no negatives in it.

I'm not being facetious here at all, but I'd really be interested in why you think it's insane?

maxwell smart

I won't be getting a mobile for my kids until they turn 12 at least.

Fittle

Again maxwell, can I ask why? What's so wrong with them having a mobile phone to contact someone in case of emergency? The phone my lad had was a very basic nokia one - no camera, and couldn't even accept photos. I'd just be interested to hear why you'd object so much when I can see no negatives - I'm actually afraid there's something I'm missing here!

I know two nine year olds who got laptops from santa this year - now that, I believe, is way OTT..but that's just my opinion because my lad uses my laptop, the odd time he wants to watch youtube or something.

upinthesky

Fittle wrote: »

Again maxwell, can I ask why? What's so wrong with them having a mobile phone to contact someone in case of emergency? The phone my lad had was a very basic nokia one - no camera, and couldn't even accept photos. I'd just be interested to hear why you'd object so much when I can see no negatives - I'm actually afraid there's something I'm missing here!

I know two nine year olds who got laptops from santa this year - now that, I believe, is way OTT..but that's just my opinion because my lad uses my laptop, the odd time he wants to watch youtube or something.

oh no way would my child get a lap top!
i am the same i was thinking of getting him a phone it would be handy if i let him walk home from school or go to a friends house so more for my benefit then his and no way would i get one with a camera just something basic

maxwell smart

I want to limit their exposure to the microwaves from the handsets for as long as possible. I think that 12 is as long as I will be able to get away with them not having one. (Of course by then mobiles will be totally different to what we use now).

I do use one myself but that's a personal choice I make for many reasons, both business and personal. I try to keep the handset away from my head as much as I can by using a carkit and the speaker when I can.

So its for health reasons mainly.

meg3178

The firefly is a great little phone and fits into a pocket neatly. If your son goes for sleepovers or to matches with his friends, he can contact you at any time and vice versa, without any cost to other people and also gives you and your son peace of mind.
If you don't like the look of a firefly, then pick up one of the simply phones for around 20 euro. They don't have cameras.

Camera/ video phones are imo suited more for older ages.

LukeS_

I think the suitable age is maybe 11-12. Whenever they get to about 6th class. If they have one before that, they'll just treat it as a toy and something to brag about to their friends.

The laptop is a whole other story, if a 9 year-old was to get one, I'd surely think they'd be supervised whilst being on it. Even then - kids are too clumsy with expensive things and might drop it!

What happened to the days where you would have to wait until you're 16 to get one of those old mobiles? You're probably too old to remember that. ha ha.

kippy

Whenever they can afford to pay for the phone and its running costs themselves.

Fittle

I think we're all being very naive here.

All of our children (under 15) were born with mobiles being the norm.

Same way as I was born with a landline being the norm. I really don't see the harm in allowing an 8yr old have a basic mobile phone -they see all around them, everyone being able to ring someone at the touch of a button. Yes, they are children and they don't need the Iphone4...but a basic nokia with no camera, is suitable for a child who might not be in the constant care of a parent at all times (at a minders/at a football match/down the road, playing etc etc). I think some of us still have this perception of mobiles being a possible negative for children (we've all heard the stories of 13yr olds getting pornography via mobiles), but a very basic phone for an 8/9 yr old, to be used to contact a parent/vice versa, can't be a negative.

I really can't see any harm in it.

stovelid

10 or 11, depending on the child.

kippy

Fittle wrote: »

I think we're all being very naive here.

All of our children (under 15) were born with mobiles being the norm.

Same way as I was born with a landline being the norm. I really don't see the harm in allowing an 8yr old have a basic mobile phone -they see all around them, everyone being able to ring someone at the touch of a button. Yes, they are children and they don't need the Iphone4...but a basic nokia with no camera, is suitable for a child who might not be in the constant care of a parent at all times (at a minders/at a football match/down the road, playing etc etc). I think some of us still have this perception of mobiles being a possible negative for children (we've all heard the stories of 13yr olds getting pornography via mobiles), but a very basic phone for an 8/9 yr old, to be used to contact a parent/vice versa, can't be a negative.

I really can't see any harm in it.

Thats fair enough but to be honest we still dont know enough about the long term effects of a mobile phone (signals) on a developing child. Never mind the other issues involved.
There are many potential negatives and to be honest I dont see the harm in at least trying to keep them out of kids hands until at least the teens.

Cat Melodeon

I won't be allowing my child one until he is going to secondary school. Not for health reasons, but for social ones. I use to work as a resource teacher in a primary school (a 'good' school too) and the nastiness some kids are exposed to through texting and malicious calls is awful. The worst group were 9 & 10-year old girls, although boys and other age groups were at it too. It was widespread too, I'm not talking about one or two incidents, it was going on on a daily basis. They have absolutely no qualms about bullying using the most atrocious insults and laguage via mobile phone.

So no, from that experience I would not allow any child to have their own phone until they (and their peers) are mature enough to handle the crap that can come with it.

Giving them something like a Firefly phone for an hour or two when you need to be able to contact them (when they're at a sleepover or at sports training etc) is a bit different and highly sensible, but I wouldn't give them unlimited access to a phone of their own until they are at least 12, for their own peace of mind.

turbodiesel

Does anywhere know of a shop with stock in Dublin. I tried the carphone warehouse and O2 shops on henry Street but they don't have any sign of stock coming in soon.

smelltheglove

I think it depends on the child. My 8 yr old is very technically minded, guess she takes after us computer nerds but she loves playing her computer games etc. She will be getting a laptop for her communion, shes wanted one for ages and she uses ours but I have no problem with her using it. I regularily remind her about talking to people online and I dont allow her go on youtube alone as I know myself the way things can be mislabeled.

Regarding the phone, yes she has one too, a proper touch screen camera phone. She has pics of cute puppies on it, takes pics of our dog and her sister and her friends. The majority of her friends of phones, all her friends on the road anyway and they often call each other before bothering to call for each other and have a wasted journey. Just last Sunday she had a text message from her friend saying she missed her as they hadnt played in a few days. Originally she was given a phone at around 5 in her daddies house, a hand me down. I lost it quite quickly. Again another one appeared about a year later and again a few months after that. It was only last year that I said right ok, I had conveniently lost 3 phones and her having one would make it easy for her to call me from her dads or whatever. She doesnt remember it all the time, she has gone weeks without it but if she is going somewhere, like a day out with friends parents or whatever I will send her phone with her so I can get in touch with her or she get in touch with me.

LordSutch

'Firefly' at age six or seven . . .

Good introduction to a real mobile phone, Mum & Dad can contact the child, & they can contact Mum or Dad, we are in charge of the phone's settings (incoming & outgoing calls), a perfectly safe option for a young child, offering peace of mind to child & parents alike.

P.S. I hate to see kids with camera phones.

cynder

My lady got her phone at 8 she never used it, she is now 11 and 3 mobile phones later, she loves it, not only for talking and texts but for taking pics and videos (of horse riding). She is now downloading them to facebook and making videos on the computer (she isnt allowed a you tube account yet). We have access to everything she does. A phone is not a right if she abuses it, it is gone.

I have a 5 year old thats after a phone but he wont get one until he is at least 8.

turbodiesel

I've also tried smyths and Easons. Anyone know where there are some in stock? Still none in O2 and carphone warehouse

upinthesky

turbodiesel wrote: »

I've also tried smyths and Easons. Anyone know where there are some in stock? Still none in O2 and carphone warehouse

maybe try online i think there is a link to them in this tread

bastados

Never , if i had my way....or offer them a wifi device instead..am not paying kids phone bills.

thesimpsons

unfortunately by not having a phone you are also potentially opening the door to bullying (by exclusion) as well. I've seen it with on particular child in my kids class who isn't allowed a phone or facebook. Consequently she is being left out for things when they are planning to meet up, when they are chatting on line or just sharing text jokes and simple harmless fun. All mine have phones (teens down to 12 yrs), they grew up with them in the same way we grew up with tv. They don't go to the bother of actually using landline to phone friend who doesn't have a mobile, child just gets forgotten about. Sad, but true. I've never come across bulling on the kids phones, no shocking photos, etc. The odd chain letter txt comes in and i've just told them not to bother sending them on and just delete them, they're just a waste of credit. The best way to deal with bullying is to teach your kids how not to be a bully or a victim.

stoneill

I have three kids
The first kid got his phone when he was 12 - he's now 17
The middle fella got his at 11 - He's now 14
The youngella is 9 and looking for one - He can wait until he's 10 before he gets one.
Certain rules apply - they own ensuring that they have credit.
No unapproved text's either in or out.
Phones available for checking content when we ask.
If the older lads are out and about - they must answer their phone if we call them. If they don't, when they get back they are grounded for one night.
No text excuses for being late - if we say be home at six, they better be home at six.
No phones at the dinner table.

gcgirl

bastados wrote: »

Never , if i had my way....or offer them a wifi device instead..am not paying kids phone bills.

Pretty useless if I'm out with them and one of them gets a lil lost

BostonB

Just to annoy them, get one of these phones

http://www.johnsphones.com/