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 :)

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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

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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

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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!

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Spug says he bought his daughter one for her 9th birthday. Top ups she has to earn otherwise she doesnt get it topped up. It was a Motorola L6 the one he bought her. I just asked him now.

Re: Peer pressure
 

My two Granddaughters both 9 have one Gayle. One always forgets to take it out with her and don't think she bothers with it much. Our boo uses hers and loves taking pictures but she forgets to charge it up. Both gran daughters have their mum's hand me downs, but you can get some good cheep ones and give her a limited credit.

Re: Peer pressure
 

Thing is Retlaw, things have changed. As Gayle as stated, Maddie is never on her own. Gone are the days when you came home from school, had yer tea and then went out playing with friends. They come home and sit at home or have accompanied interests, so the need to keep in touch with their friends is probably important to them.

Gayle, you know full well, you are going to buy Maddie one. She is only viewing it as a 'toy' and not an emergency facility at all, although this may be one of arguments she puts forward to you (we girls are clever).

I have changed my mind about this recently as the way of the world now, just as long as she knows how to use it in an emergency and not to intrude in other people's space, then OK. 'Course you will have to restrict the money you feed into it .. best to have pay as you go. Would arrange a deal for a certain figure every ? months, etc., and that's it.

As said, try not to ring it yerself, as a no reply only worries .. my 18 year old grandaughter never answers my textes or calls (unless in her own interest), but I know full well she has seen them.

Re: Peer pressure
 

You've got me pegged haven't you. :D

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No they are not. Why should we take our children's childhood from them just because we are more informed as to what goes on these days?

By our children and their friends having phones it allows them and us to keep in touch with and feel safer about them playing out. I had fun with my friends as a child and I want my children too as well.

I don't think things have changed that much in the last 30 years. We just have much greater TV/radio/internet/newspaper coverage these days scaring us into locking our children up.

Re: Peer pressure
 

Tom's not six, he's seven......you biff.......fancy getting your son's age wrong! :p:D

Re the mobile phone thing......it's hard to know what to do for the best.

I think it all depends on your circumstances.....where you live, how far the children go on their own etc. I don't think there is a right and wrong to this, it's what you feel comfortable with.

My eldest is 8 in November and I personally will not let him have a mobile phone yet......he hasn't asked for one either so I assume only a few children in his class have one. :)

Re: Peer pressure
 

I meant to put he was 6 when he got his phone.

I am a biff though ;)