Mobile phones

do children really need them? what age do you think a child should be allowed to have a mobile?

When i met jake his son was 8 and he had a mobile phone which i thought was abit extravaggant but jake had bought it for him so that he could phone him without having to talk to his mum but after the novelty had worn off abit it was always switched on and he just treated it like an old toy, didn't know where it was and then the next thing it was broken and he's saying he needs a new one. Me and jake talked about it and i said i thoguht he should leave it because he had no respect for it and i thoguht he was too young.

Next thing we know baileys nan has taken him out and bought he a brand new motorola V3 a month before xmas for no reason which really annoyed me. He's had it a week and he went home to his mums yesterday and left him here which I think once again shows that he is not old enough to repsect it. he has also used £10 credit in a week downloading ring tones!

I was bought a mobile when i was 11 and started to egt the train to school on y own so that i could phone my parents when my train was delayed.I think when a child starts secondary school and starts going places on their own or with friends then this is a good time to introduce a phone as a life line if you know what i mean.

Ooh spooky max!! I just did this topic in the tweens and preschoolers and came over here and youve dont it in here earlier!

Well we have judt decided to let beau have my old one for his birdhday with a new cover. He is 9 and has been asking for one for about 2 years! No I dont think he needs it but he is getting a laptop for his bday and xmas combined and I thought it would be nice for him to have something to open on his bday. I dont think it will harm him. I wouldnt buy a new one though and he will have to work for the credit to be put on each time! (massages for mummy )

i think that when hildren reach secondary school age that they should have them when walking to and from school, especially in the winter months as it becomes dark. It is just a sign of the times that we live in unfortunately

I think the age varies for children, it depends how responsible they are, my cousin had one since she was 8 and she always looked after it and used it properly. Whereas some children probably arent ready until they are 10 or 11.

ellie and kane both have one...i have to say i didnt buy them there nan and there uncle did.i dont think they needed a phone at 8 but they both have one now...the dont relaly use them now tho they play the games on the phone.....its on incase there dad rings but he never does

my 2 oldest sons have got them and they come in really handy, im really glad they have them, they are 11yrs and 9yrs. If they are playing out I can get hold of them, also they can send text messages to their dad which is really nice.

to sum sense yes it is a good idea i.e. kidnapps, needin to ring police/parents etc etc....bad thngs muggin 4 mobiles

its a 50/50 split!

I think I'm with kathrynsmummy on this one. A mobile phone makes anyone a target for mugging and a small child is just easy pickings.
There are still payphones about and so long as the LO knows their home number thats all they need now REVERSE has become more accessible.

Goodness knows what technology will be available when Spencer hits his 'tweens.