Hi my daughter is 10. 11 in July. She's had a mobile but without a chip so using it in the same way as a tablet. A while back I found out that she was talking to an adult. I explained to her how dangerous it was and how hes not her friend and trying to groom her. She cried and sobbed for ages because I took her phone away /stopped her talking to him. She did not have it for about a month. Then I spoke to her she said she would not contact him again etc etc . I told her I would be watching more closely. Then I caught her talking to him again. So I have removed the phone again. This time is been about 3 months so far.
I spoke to her a couple of days ago about getting the phone back but asked her how I'm meant to trust her. Her reply: don't know. I said so when all your friends have a phone and you don't. Won't it bother you ? Her: don't know. So I said to her I can't work with you if all your replies are going to be I don't know. So we will leave it for now. So that means you cant have a phone till you discuss it with Me properly.
But to be honest she does not seem that bothered about having one. And she does seem happier without it . Less stroppy etc .
The thing I'm worried about is she won't be able to communicate with me. If she needs to. But im also thinking anything happening during in the time she's coming to and from school is pretty low. But might actually be heigher if she had the phone?
But also I know once she realises having a phone in secondary is more of a thing she will want it again so I don't know how I do that safely.
Just to add this has been reported.