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AIBU?

AIBU to give an iphone to an 8-year-old

30 replies

moofolk · 22/06/2016 10:45

Bear with me on this. Not long ago I would have thought it ridiculous to give an iphone to a child, but am considering giving one to my son for his 8th birthday.
It would be for inside the house, and he'll be getting his own bedroom soon. Would serve as pad / tablet, could play games, music, etc. I probably wouldn't get a sim card (though could work up to that). I have i-stuff so he could have access to my music through family sharing, but through iMessage on home wifi he could send messages to his best friend. She has one, mainly to contact her mum when she stays at her dad's house. Obvs would have to get on board with heavy parental controls etc, I don't want him unsupervised on the internet but don't know how that works.
It would be an older model, a second hand 4 or something cheap.
So in many ways sensible but part of me screams inside at the idea of a kid that young having an iphone. Am I reasonable or is that outdated thinking?

OP posts:
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FirstWeTakeManhattan · 22/06/2016 10:48

Has he asked for one?

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99GBPChargeToUseMyPostsJournos · 22/06/2016 10:49

If you aren't going to get a sim for it, why not get a tablet instead? Better for games. If you are getting an older second hand phone it may well be past its use by date by the time you have workef up to getting a sim for it.

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purplefox · 22/06/2016 10:50

If you're not using it as a phone just get a ipod

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WoodleyPixie · 22/06/2016 10:51

Get an iPod touch. It does everything an iPhone does except calls. You can have I messages and face time etc.

My daughter is 10 and this is what she has. She has a Nokia that's not hers but a spare in the drawer for when she goes out with friends playing in the park but I wouldn't trust her with an iPhone yet.

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cuntinghomicidalcardigan · 22/06/2016 10:51

For all the reasons you've stated I might get one to have for the 8 yo to use. However I balk at getting one specifically for a present for an 8 yo. I would worry that there would then be expectations regarding it's availability for use and battles over it. Surely there are things an 8 yo would prefer for his birthday? (Disclaimer - I don't have an 8yo) Smile

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JacquesHammer · 22/06/2016 10:52

My DD has had an ancient iphone since she was about 6. We did like you - no SIM and she basically used as an iPod.

She then got given a slightly newer old iPhone which she now has a SIM in. She has a couple of contacts in Whatsapp (me, her dad, her aunts, her grandparents) and the rest is locked down.

She is on a £4 a month contract and never goes above that.

But she likes (and so do we) that when she's at the other parent's house she can text either of us with anything she thinks of.

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EdmundCleverClogs · 22/06/2016 10:52

I agree, if you're not getting a sim and it's not leaving the house, get a tablet. I love my iPhone, but it's a dual function mini computer and phone. Anything really 'fun' I use my tablet for. It's not s good thing to strain your eyes on a smaller screen used primarily as a toy.

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CrazyDuchess · 22/06/2016 10:53

My daughter is 7 and I gave her my old samsung for christmas with a PAYG sim. she doesn't use it outside, but to communicate with her dad and play games on it.

I keep a very close eye on her usage and she is very sensible. I don't see the big deal personally.

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EdmundCleverClogs · 22/06/2016 10:54

Sorry, that should say I agree with 99GBP

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AppleSetsSail · 22/06/2016 10:54

The problem with an iphone is she can put it in her pocket and take it everywhere. A tablet seems a bit more restrictive.

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rainbowunicorn · 22/06/2016 10:57

OP if it works for you and the only thing stopping you is what others may think or say about it I would do it.
You will get people on here telling you that no way should anyone under 16 / 18 have anything other than a basic tesco brick of a phone. You will also get people telling you that all internet access is terrible unless you are sat there beside them and that screen time should be limited to 30 mins on a Sunday and nothing else.
In my experience it only works like that on here , real life is rather different, my own son has had a Samsung tablet since he was around 8 for games, music, films etc. He got his first phone at Christmas when he was 10, not an iphone however still a smartphone that does everything an iphone can.
To be honest I think the fact apple is seen as a luxury brand has people pearl clutching at the thought of children having them, ignore and do what is right for you.

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PurpleCrazyHorse · 22/06/2016 10:58

Be aware that an old iPhone might not be able to run the newer apps, if that's important. Plus their screen size is very small for games.

We're putting off DD (7yo) having her own device but we might get me an iPad and I'd let her use it for some of her apps. She can then use it supervised and at suitable times.

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PenguinsAreAce · 22/06/2016 11:01

She's 8. An iPad is fine, with appropriate supervision and parental controls. A phone is unnecessary before secondary.

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FirstWeTakeManhattan · 22/06/2016 11:09

I was coming around to the idea of screens for younger ones, and then hosted some nieces and nephews a month ago, and they were all glued to their screens for three bloody days. My kids could barely get them to play anything.

I don't mind them fiddling around ours every now and then, but It put me off again for a while yet to be honest.

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DJBaggieSmalls · 22/06/2016 11:11

The Tesco Hudl tablet is £100.

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oldharrysgame · 22/06/2016 11:33

Get an Asus Memopad. Cheap and cheerful . Set her up on email and make sure you have access to her email account on your devices. See how she goes and maybe get a family iPad later.

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BeYourselfUnlessUCanBeAUnicorn · 22/06/2016 11:37

YABU. An 8 year old doesn't need a phone, sim or not. Get an ipod or a tablet, it doesn't need to be an ipad either which I also think are ott for children. I've just bought DH an amazon fire or whatever it is for his birthday, £39.99 and added a memory card.

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1stDayOfSummer · 22/06/2016 11:39

8 years old is way too young for a mobile phone, I'd buy him an iPad/Tablet.

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RB68 · 22/06/2016 11:53

I don't see the difference if they are using them for the same thing. Would you let them use the house phone?? Its no different today - you need controls and you need to "train" them about safety and what to do and not do. DD is now nearly 11 and has had her iphone for 2 yrs payg and we have put two lots of 10 on it the rest of the time just used through wifi at home or away

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ProjectUniverse · 22/06/2016 12:57

DD2 had one when she was 8 - one of our old iPhones. She had a PAYG sim but lots of stuff is locked down on it. She uses it to whatsapp GPs and also friends. Phone size is great in my opinion as she can pop it in her pocket when we go out and play games. Only problem is she now wants to upgrade!

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JacquesHammer · 22/06/2016 13:17

These threads always make me laugh.

Posters actually mean my 8 year old is too young for a phone. Which is fine - totally your choice.

But don't project it into a general rule

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grannytomine · 22/06/2016 13:24

You can get some great educational apps for ipads, really helped my grandson to learn his tables without any angst. You can do it on an iphone as well but due to the smaller screen he finds it much easier to use the pad.

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FirstWeTakeManhattan · 22/06/2016 13:49

Posters actually mean my 8 year old is too young for a phone

I'm pretty sure some posters also make it clear that they think many other 8 year olds are too young as well.

But in fairness, it's not about it 'being a rule', it's usually just giving their opinion. I think that's fair enough. As long as it's not judgemental and rude, I think it's fine for people to hold an opinion about something and express it.

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WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant · 22/06/2016 14:21

I used to be Hmm at all the kids with iPhones.
Then ds asked for an ipod for Xmas when he was 9.
I was pregnant with dd at the time, and having health issues.
I wanted him to have a cheap phone for emergencies.
Then I saw a second hand Iphone 4 for sale. Cheaper than an ipod. So I got it for him. He has had it 4 years now.

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Believeitornot · 22/06/2016 14:24

I'm in the "why is this necessary" camp.

Screens are addictive. Many adults find it difficult to regulate screen time let alone DCs. Why set them up with bad habits for life?

I speak as someone with an iPhone who doesn't really put it down.

My DCs are 4&6 and love playing with my phone, the tablet, the laptop etc but I have to be very careful to limit it otherwise they'd be on it all the time. I cannot, for one second, imagine they'd be able to self regulate if they got their own.

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