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Original poster

Friend’s phone screen cracked a bit by accident

135 replies

Nousese · 23/02/2026 09:40

Hello,

My son asked his friend for a number that was stored in his friend’s phone. So, My friend’s son gave my son his phone while they were waking the stairs at the station. The floor it was wet as it was raining. My son tripped over quite bad at the stairs when he was going to give back his friend the phone. The screen cracked a bit at the bottom.

I feel i should pay for the repair. I don’t have to much money to be honest. If i had I would not hesitate to pay for it.
So i wanted to ask people for advice here.

thanks,

OP posts:
luckylavender · 23/02/2026 15:04

Off topic but another good reason why 9 year olds shouldn't have smart phones.

ThatMiddleClassFood · 23/02/2026 14:58

Does the phone still work? As long as it still works and is a small crack I wouldn't be too bothered if it was my kids phone. At 9 years old it will probably cost more to repair than the phones worth.

tougholdbirdy · 23/02/2026 14:57

What are 9 year olds doing with smart phones?

purplecorkheart · 23/02/2026 14:57

You pay.

I am just curious were you there when the accident occurred or is this what your son is telling you what happened.

WallaceinAnderland · 23/02/2026 14:54

Yes, of course you should pay.

HereintheloveofChristIstand · 23/02/2026 14:53

Prancingpickle · 23/02/2026 14:37

I've never used a screen protector nor have my kids - we look after our things. I'd be pissed off if someone broke my screen because they thought I should have a screen protector on it!

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You can look after your things and still prevent against accidental damage. Things happen, however much care you take. It costs 1,99. I certainly wouldn't pay if you CBA to 'look after your things' by using one.
I take care on a bike but I still wear a helmet in case I accidentally fall or am knocked off.

CakeMeHomeIveSeenEnough · 23/02/2026 14:52

It's an expensive lesson to not accept responsibility for someone else's phone, and especially not while walking up or down stairs.

Such young children don't need expensive phones (if they need a phone at all). The occasional accident is bound to happen.

Mh67 · 23/02/2026 14:49

You dont need to pay. Phone insurance covers that. If they didnt take insurance that was their choice

momtoboys · 23/02/2026 14:49

You absolutely have to offer to pay at least half.

HollyIvie · 23/02/2026 14:44

Yes, I would pay.

ByQuaintAzureWasp · 23/02/2026 14:40

Yes, pay for it.

Prancingpickle · 23/02/2026 14:37

HereintheloveofChristIstand · 23/02/2026 10:12

I wouldn't pay if it didn't have a screen protector. That is literally what they are for.

I've never used a screen protector nor have my kids - we look after our things. I'd be pissed off if someone broke my screen because they thought I should have a screen protector on it!

Inmyuggs · 23/02/2026 14:27

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

peachescariad · 23/02/2026 14:21

You pay

BCSurvivor · 23/02/2026 14:19

OP, it reads as if you're looking for an excuse not to pay and are now trying to justify how it wasn't really your son's fault.
Of course you should pay.
Stop avoiding the friend's mother and do the right thing.

MeganM3 · 23/02/2026 14:12

It’s probably just the screen protector that has cracked, it does look like the whole screens gone when they crack but it’s just the protective layer. The last time I had a screen protector put on it was £15. The ones with the anti theft view thing are £20. So I’d definitely pay that.

If someone gave a 9yo child a phone with no screen protector I’d think they were waiting for it to get cracked. So I wouldn’t pay a huge amount. £15 for a protector and possibly another £20 towards damage if it was a real screen. That’s it. I wouldn’t be giving over loads for very avoidable damage. Accidents happen.

arethereanyleftatall · 23/02/2026 14:05

you know full well you should pay. Why on earth would the other child who did absolutely nothing wrong have to have a cracked screen, go halves or any of the other suggestions. I feel like you posted on here to ignore the 95% who will say pay, and grasp hold of the 5% of other people with no morals in case they articulate a perfect excuse. But also, if you have afforded a 9 year old a phone - which is absurd - you can afford this. 9 year olds absolutely should not have phones.

Aquarius91 · 23/02/2026 13:32

Of course you should pay. Your son broke it.
If you also feel like you should pay, I’m not really sure what you’re asking here? Your friend hasn’t asked for money but seems annoyed. Why haven’t you offered already?

HoskinsChoice · 23/02/2026 13:31

Zebedee999 · 23/02/2026 10:34

If say the repair was £100, could you offer the lad £25 if he can just live with the small crack? That way it's a win win.

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No. He broke it, he fixes it. Or at least offers. Up to the owners whether they say yes.

outdooryone · 23/02/2026 13:28

I would pay for the damage.

BerryTwister · 23/02/2026 13:14

Seeline · 23/02/2026 11:57

This is why 9yo shouldn't have phones!

At least teach them to sit down, or stand still when using them.

But yes, your DS dropped and broke it. You pay.

Exactly! I assumed they were teens. When my kids were 9 they were playing with toys, that wouldn’t break if you dropped them!

ilovesooty · 23/02/2026 12:38

You need to contact her and offer to pay for the damage.

Ihateboris · 23/02/2026 12:31

KimberleyClark · 23/02/2026 10:16

I don’t use screen protectors but keep my phone in a wallet style cover which I’m sure most MNers wouldn’t be seen dead with.

I've got one of those as well..they are great as I can carry cards in it! Don't care if I look uncool 🥰

LightYearsAgo · 23/02/2026 12:19

I must be out of touch, 9 year olds have phones?

TeenLifeMum · 23/02/2026 12:01

I have all our phones insured through our bank account so screen repair is £50 excess. Can you check and pay the excess?