Peer pressure
 

I've considered the data and I'm still trying to work this through but can I ask all parents - at what age should a daughter be given a mobile phone?

She's using the 'all my friends have one' argument. It's her birthday soon so that's why I'm asking.

Re: Peer pressure
 

With girls in particular, i would say as soon as they start to wander away from the street, is nice to be able to ring and check where they are, have a tip for you though gayle, tell her, the first time you ring and she doesnt answer, she will lose it, because if you ring and it isnt answered, you will worry!

Re: Peer pressure
 

When she is old enough to go anywhere on her own.. including going or coming home from school. then the first time your worried or wondering where she is ....you can phone her :)

Re: Peer pressure
 

Would have been reply to if had been quick enough :)

Re: Peer pressure
 

You see, that's the problem - she's 9 and she doesn't go anywhere on her own. All she'd use if for would be to ring her Grandmas and to text her friends.

Re: Peer pressure
 

How old is she Gayle?

My grandson has one now, just gone nine, just uses it to mess about with really. He has limited credit. Uses it more as an Mp3 and a camera.

It's good to know that you can ring and find out where they are, even if it is just up the road! Beats having your kids chipped, like some folk are doing!

My 2 youngest had them at about 10, (now 18) they messed about with them for a while, then the novelty wore off, especially when they discovered they would have to use their spending money to get their credit.

But then again, you are the parent, and if you feel uncomfortable about it, you have your answer. :)

Re: Peer pressure
 

I would probably say too young then, but may consider one of the ten quid asda phones, with a fiver a month for texts, when it runs out its gone for the month.

Re: Peer pressure
 

Laura bought herself one, earlier this year, with the remainder of her Christmas money. She's 8 (will be 9 in 2 weeks). It was quite cheap from Tesco, about £20 I think, but it does everything bar cooking lunch - takes video footage, records sound etc., etc.

She uses, mainly, it to text and talk to her dad and to take pictures and videos. She also has a thing she's recorded on it that's "Radio Laura", her own version of a steal from all those kids' radio shows, that she plays with great glee every now and then. So far only 1 of her friends has a phone so she's not "networking" and she's certainly not using it on a daily basis.

Re: Peer pressure
 

Tom has one Gayle and he is 6. I call him when he is at friends or just playing around and about. It makes me feel better about letting him out of the house. I usually find if I want Rhonda its easier to phone Tom and get him to pass the phone to his mum, at least he answers it :D

Re: Peer pressure
 

Oh, heck it's bad enough with the pressure from Maddie, don't you go giving Zack ideas too. :D

Re: Peer pressure
 

Sorry :o

Re: Peer pressure
 

I agree with ringing her Grandma or ringing you, but why does she need to text her friends, whom she's probably spent all day with at school anyway.

I'd put a limit on it, abuse it and loose it, no aw mum either.

Retlaw.

Re: Peer pressure
 

Fortunately, I don't let him read posts on here so you're off the hook for now! :eek:

Re: Peer pressure
 

I could get Tom to phone him from his mobile on your home number :D

Re: Peer pressure
 

You could but he won't answer the phone - i am the only person in our house who can hear the phone ringing! weird that!