Phones for kids

Admiral Huddy

Admiral Huddy

Admiral Huddy

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Joined
17 Feb 2003
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Location
Chelmsford
When my two eldest were kids (eldest is now 24), we delayed getting them phones until they were 15 .. but things have moved on and lie it or not they are now a big part in a child social interaction.

We have a younger 10 year old who is desperate for a phone. 11 in March, we have under a lot o f pressure since all his friends have them but we are determined to keep him mobile free until at least next year. Our older two say we have to move on with the times..

I'm sceptical still.. but the other day , we found this...

What do you guys think?

https://www.monqi.co/
 
My son turns 10 next month. And has already asked for a mobile phone. Even though I don't want to give him one. I know deep down I'll need to give him one as time has moved on..

I have informed him that he'll get his first mobile phone when he starts secondary school. As I know few other people have done the same thing. Won't be anything expensive. And intend to keep it that way.
 
My son is 12 is on his second iphone 5s. He lost the first on last summer so had to wait for Christmas or buy one himself.
Going into secondary school all the kids have smart phone and the school will provide apps like "show my homework". which he will use to track homework updates.

My niece (same age 12) could not complete a science task because she, with one other pupil did not have a smart phone at the time. Phones have become a norm for year 7+, these days.
 
My daughter is 9, she has been pestering for a phone for some time so on her birthday we bought her a Samsung Galaxy J3 and I pay £10 for a giffgaff SIM card.

She is learning that she must do a few chores around the house, just keep her room tidy really and put her clothes away.

It's a good opportunity for them to understand that the SIM card doesn't come free and that failing to do chores means the next month the SIM card doesn't get topped up.

She only really takes it out when she is visiting grandparents and she just uses it to text or WhatsApp 2 of her friends. We set some ground rules straight away, she must allow us to see who she had been texting when asked, that's a term of having the phone as well.
 
Admiral Huddy said:
Any thoughts on the kids phone i posted? They have them in car phone warehouse so may go take a look..
Click to expand...

personally just get them a normal phone, they will grow out of the "babyish" phone quickly. Plenty of apps to keep an eye on their useage etc.

My 10 years old got a phone for his birthday, he mainly uses it for youtube/games at the moment but the deal is that every week I get to look through his phone to see who he's speaking to/texting etc. It';s also for the fact he walks home from school/walks to and from his swimming sessions etc so handy to keep in touch. Got a Moto G5plus for him - should last him a while & £9 a month virgin sim.
 
wedrum said:
Just get a second hand iPhone 5 5c or 5s
Click to expand...

I'd think that going for an iPhone would be a dangerous path as many of the other kids would have them and it might lead to competition and more pressure for regular (and expensive) upgrades. Opting for something alternative would probably be cheaper in both the short and long term.
 
thing is the iphone 5 is cheap to repair as lets face it kids drop them all the time. screens are £10 to buy and a doddle to fix.
smash that phone screen above and its written off.
 
I got my daughter a contract phone (samsung j5) last year for her 10th birthday,she never asked for one and never ever mentioned it,it was me who wanted her to have a phone.
She has been really good with the phone (nearly a year on now) and talks to her friends regularly,she rings me when she leaves school and the same when she gets there,its peace of mind for me more than a status symbol for her.
She was the first of her group of friends to get a phone,over the last 6 months her friends all have one now.
 
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