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Original poster

What age are people giving their children their first phone?

119 replies

LemonChiffon · 15/09/2022 17:51

Dd has been asking for a phone for her 10th birthday, which is coming up. I have no idea when people start giving their children phones and whether 10 is reasonable or not! So please let me know when you gave your child a phone!

Btw it would be an old phone of mine, with some v cheap SIM only contract.

Thanks!

OP posts:
Afonavon · 15/09/2022 19:48

Mine are grown up now, however they had old style mobile phones (before smartphones were invented) on their 11th birthday in preparation for walking alone to secondary school.

In my friend’s school the children seem to be getting smartphones aged 7. That is bonkers IMO

LER83 · 15/09/2022 19:53

Eldest dc got them for their 10th birthdays at the end of year 5 (summer birthdays). Ds got an iPhone 8 (3 yrs ago now) and dd got an iPhone x (this yr). I think only a handful of kids don't have them in yr 6 at their school.

Jenniferturkington · 15/09/2022 19:57

Start of year 6 for my eldest two. My youngest is in year 5 and quite a few of her friends already have one (but she can wait a year!)

AndAnotherOneJoinsTheQueue · 15/09/2022 20:12

We had planned on birthday of Yr 6 but due to not being happy with school's safety arrangements on school trips have ended up giving them one earlier than planned (DC1 by half a year, DC2 by1.5 years). They are sim only and contacts are locked down so only I can add someone. None of DC2's friends have a phone yet so she just has family on there. She uses it to listen to music and takes it to netball as she has to wait 15 mins for me to collect her.

caringcarer · 15/09/2022 20:29

I know others won't agree but their own phone 16. If they went out they could borrow a phone to text me to collect them.

TheChosenTwo · 15/09/2022 20:38

Ds got one aged 10 at the end of year 5 for the last 2 weeks because he was practising walking home alone and using his key in preparation for year 6.
He’s now in year 6 and let’s himself in every day (although there is usually at least one person home, once since he started back at school has he come home to an empty house), but the other day he bumped into his Granny and decided to go for a walk with her so he just called me at work to let me know what he was planning.

GreenLeavesRustling · 15/09/2022 20:39

Still not. 13.

canyouextrapol · 15/09/2022 20:53

End of year 6 when she started going out on her own. In hindsight I wish I hadn't. It just becomes an obsession and has caused so many problems

Gooseysgirl · 15/09/2022 22:05

DD 10.5 yrs, in Y6 as she is walking home by herself from school. However it's practically an antique.. an old but functioning iPhone 4 that we had knocking about... she's disgusted 🤣 We have promised a better one for Christmas - going to get all the aunties and uncles to contribute as their gift to her.

Gooseysgirl · 15/09/2022 22:09

Forgot to say, at the moment it is strictly for the walk home from school and she hands it

Gooseysgirl · 15/09/2022 22:09

Over as soon as she gets home.

ElephantsintheCupboard · 15/09/2022 22:18

A "dumb" phone that only does phoning and texting is a completely different thing to a smart phone with internet access.

vroom321 · 15/09/2022 22:21

8 and 10

vroom321 · 15/09/2022 22:24

How can a 13 year old not have a phone. My child's timetable and all her class work is on her phone.

MintyChipton · 15/09/2022 22:36

vroom321 · 15/09/2022 22:24

How can a 13 year old not have a phone. My child's timetable and all her class work is on her phone.

My DC school have banned phones, got rid of the apps and gone back to paper planners.

Original poster
LemonChiffon · 15/09/2022 22:38

Thanks everyone! Lots to think about...

OP posts:
Watchthesunrise · 15/09/2022 22:43

Start of high school. So 12.

Watchthesunrise · 15/09/2022 22:44

Can anyone recommend a 'dumb phone' suitable for 10-12 year olds please, that won't allow internet access or social media but can be used for texting?

Girliefriendlikespuppies · 15/09/2022 22:46

My dd got a phone when she started secondary however I wish I had held off a bit longer tbh.

If I had my time again I'd wait until she was 12 or 13 at least.

If you do get them a phone be prepared to police it and put certain restrictions on it.

FunnysInLaJardin · 15/09/2022 22:47

around yr 5 for our DSs. However now in yr 12 and 8 they are a neccesity

YerAWizardHarry · 15/09/2022 22:48

Mine is Primary 6 (Year 5?) and doesn’t have yet. Feels like he’s in the minority though

ShockedConfused1980 · 15/09/2022 22:48

Mine will be Year 7 and 12 as Sept born.

Marymary987 · 15/09/2022 22:49

11th birthday in preparation for starting high school.

vroom321 · 16/09/2022 06:39

Watchthesunrise · 15/09/2022 22:44

Can anyone recommend a 'dumb phone' suitable for 10-12 year olds please, that won't allow internet access or social media but can be used for texting?

Nokia?

LondonQueen · 16/09/2022 07:06

Based on working in a school, about Y4 (8-9) when they are allowed to walk home.