when would you buy your kids a mobile phone? [Archive] - Bub Hub Pregnancy & Parenting Forum

FourAngelKisses

31-07-2006, 10:22

I would get them one for their 14th birthday if they want one. It will be pre-paid and they will have to fund their own credit. They wont be getting one with a camera and internet on it either.

Princess_Alisa

31-07-2006, 10:23

When she starts going to school. I am surprised myself, that I am writing this. But she wants one so badly already now (and she is only 8 months old :laughing: ).

I would get her a pre-paid one, that has pre-programed numbers in it though, so she can only call me or DH. I guess for me it would be a peace of mind as well to know I can ring her if I have (or want) to.

Every adult has a mobile phone, so why don't give them to children as well and teach them from early on to use it in moderation.

~EmsMum~

31-07-2006, 10:24

umm probably around the age of 12-15

FourAngelKisses

31-07-2006, 10:26

When she starts going to school. I am surprised myself, that I am writing this. But she wants one so badly already now (and she is only 8 months old :laughing: ).

You're kidding right?? Why does a 5yr old need a mobile phone??

jessgray

31-07-2006, 10:29

about 14-15 i would look into whether or not ds needs one.i didnt own one till i was 15 and half lol.DP didnt own one till he was 14 so we both agree 14 -15 is a good age to get one if its needed.

FourAngelKisses

31-07-2006, 10:31

I'll try an antique shop if I have too, lol. I don't need that **** on my phone so they wont either.

jessgray

31-07-2006, 10:38

that reminds me of my first mobile lol it was a brick lol

EskimoMumma

31-07-2006, 10:43

prepaid from either 10-14, depends on the situation and child and other things.

caz

31-07-2006, 10:47

I'll probably get DS a mobile when he starts high school. I also agree with it being pre-paid and making him fund his own credit.

My DSD already has a mobile and she's only 10

elissas

31-07-2006, 10:59

I voted when they can pay for it themselves.

If they get one sooner (definitely no younger than 14), it will be for essential calls only (ie. when not at home) and will be switched off between 8pm and 8am and given to me at night until they're at least 16. No sms'ing at midnight in our house :no:

FourAngelKisses

31-07-2006, 11:00

Isnt it funny that they NEED mobiles..

I think they are more of a want than a need. I have one but I never use it, I only have it so the school can contact me at all hours. $20 credit will last me 8mths or more.
There are plenty of pay phones around and if they are at a friends place, they can use the land line. Mine will only be getting one so that I can call them.

aardvark

31-07-2006, 11:10

My DD#1 started to borrow one of our mobile phones when she was 7 and spending the day at a Chess Tournament.

She would call us when they were getting ready to start the awards, so we would know when to pick her up - the tournament would take a different amount of time depending on how many people turned up.

The logical progression from that was that she got her own mobile phone when DH upgraded his, I think she was about 9 or so.

She's now 15, and she is very responsible with her mobile usage. She gets something like $15 per month to use before she has to start paying for it herself. Mostly she calls us, or SMS's us or friends, and she ALWAYS comes in under her $15. DH has her phone plan set so that any amount she doesn't use is credited towards his bill or my bill, so it is not wasted.

When she is travelling overseas at the end of the year, we will set it up for Global Roaming like we did when she went last year. She just doesn't answer it unless it is DH or I calling her.

my_lot

31-07-2006, 11:22

both my girls have their own mobile phones- they are 7 and 9 years old

grandma got the eldest one for her 8th birthday and then 6 weeks later got the younger one for her 6th birthday.

the grandparents live in another state so it was for txt back and forth between them ONLY.

grandma buys their $15 credits once every few months.

it has helped with the younger ones spelling and brings a smile to their face to wake up to a txt from grandma saying "have a great day at school i love you".....as im sure grandma gets the same pleasure from a txt from them with their news or just to send kisses goodnight.

i dont see a problem with it at all.

Princess_Alisa

31-07-2006, 12:34

My_lot, I agree with you entirely. I think there is nothing wrong with giving a mobile phone to a child and teach them to use it only for special calls or text messages and not as a toy or be on the phone to her best friend for an hour.

An other reason why I will buy one to my DD in a few years is, that we are going to move back to Austria (that's were I am from) and landline phones as well as public phones are becoming less and less, they are replaced by mobile phones. I recently got stuck trying to find a public telephone cell and I could not find one. So I rather buy my child a mobile phone in case there is an emergency. Also I will go back to work eventually and then I can send text messages with her or ring her, regardless where she is and vice versa.

I really think there is nothing wrong with it. But I happily accept that other people with other lifestyles have different opinions.

Niki

31-07-2006, 12:35

From the time they start going out with their friends.. i will buy them a mobile :yes:

yea thats wen i woukd buy, thats wen i got 1

OceBel

31-07-2006, 12:43

i would get her one when shes in high school, prepaid, and one without camera and video, just one for communication and thats it.

poshBecks

31-07-2006, 12:51

I didn't get a mobile until I was 23!! :eek: :laughing:

Whrn they have a job & can pay for it themselves, thats when they can have one.
(I dont doubt that they will borrow mine from time to time though).

I have heard of phones that the kids cant ring any number except 000 or selected numbers that the parents set in it, like home. Good idea I reckon. Then it really is just for emergancies.

Milliner

31-07-2006, 13:03

Maybe around 14 but they will need to pay for it themselves, getting a job or doing things around the house to pay for it!!

FourAngelKisses

31-07-2006, 13:05

I didn't get a mobile until I was 23!! :eek: :laughing:

Don't feel bad, I was 23 when I got my first one too. DH is 29 and never had one.

Briannabear

31-07-2006, 13:15

We will get one for our kids once they are of age that they are going out with their friends. i.e. going shopping without adult supervision, or sleepovers, movies, etc.
However, we will get a phone that has restricted calls. They will only be able to call DH, myself, and someone else in case that they cant get a hold of us, and obviously emergency calls. It will be strictly for piece of mind, and for protection.
If they want one to use for other things they can wait until they are old enough and mature enough to afford it.

bigglet

31-07-2006, 13:26

I will get a prepaid restricted phone for them mainly to use for calling us and for emergencies.

I'm still concerned about the longer term use of mobile phones especially with children - I know they said they are supposed to be safe but because children's brains are still developing quite rapidly (and babies skulls aren't even fully closed) I'm concerned about the radiation. I know research still can't find if there is a link but sometimes I think they are more of a longer term health issue - that whole RMIT phone tower tumor thing hit a bit too close to home for me. :(

natasha

31-07-2006, 13:32

I will get DD one when she starts going to school.(or about 5-6 yeras of age) Only to be used in emergancies. Im sure you can get phones these days that only allow you to ring or txt a certain amount of numbers. Its' especially designed for children. I would hate for her to be stuck and not be able to get hold of me. You never know when she might need it.

MummyCharmzy

31-07-2006, 14:07

There own not before the age of 13 however I may have one blocked to all outgoing calls except mine for emergencys once they're about 7 or 8 in case they're at school and I'm running 5 minutes late or something so they don't worry!

kymmy

31-07-2006, 18:23

Probably never!
We don't have phones ourselves so i think they have less of a need at least for now.
Maybe when they have their own money they can fund their own.

mrsd

31-07-2006, 18:32

My kids don't need one here - they can walk anywhere in safety. However, if we lived in a city, they'd have a locked one - could only call us or emergency - from 8 yrs up. They use mine when they go on excursions etc now. You can't be too careful !

rainbowbeetle

31-07-2006, 20:39

i got my first phone when i was 16, and learning to drive.

and then it was for when i was driving on my p's, just in case.

our kids will get them when they're older, dont see the need for them in primary school, year 10 + so around 15/16

meme

31-07-2006, 22:56

i am planning to get one for dd this year either b'day or xmas. she will be 10. she will not be the first among her friends to have one.
i think it will encourage her to do her chores and budget her pocket money for bills (prepaid ), important life lessons:D .
i will like the peace of mind of her having it for emergencies.
it will be a priviledge for her, not a toy, or just a fashion accessory , although i also want her to fit in with her peer group and a lot of her friends do have phones.

i am also concerned about the health of kids having mobiles, but i think they can be used sensibly.

pookiesossige

01-08-2006, 09:33

I like the idea of my kids having one of those locked phones that only 000 and parents can be rung from about 12 y/o I guess. Anything else they will buy and fund themselves but it will be prepaid only. I also agree with the person who said that phones should be handed in overnight to avoid late-night texting. This may sound strict but I worry about the potential for kids and younger teens to get sucked in by some weird/dangerous stranger, give away too much personal info via texting and be convinced they need to keep it all a secret from their parents... See, I do worry too much!

KathrynB

01-08-2006, 09:36

I don't really like the idea of them having a phone each - I think it is too distracting when they are at school, they are more interested in texting their friends.

I think we will buy a phone so that when they go out, they can use it for emergencies or to call us.

Maybe when they are old enough to work they have have their own phone to use.