If you aren't letting your year 7 child have a phone, what are your expectations from other parents in terms of making social plans?

[moresoup]

Just DD is busy organising getting together with her new secondary school friends on Saturday, but one girl doesn't have a phone. Luckily I know this girls mum so I've been messaging her during the week as their plans form. But the rest of the girls are making the plan over WhatsApp, and I just wonder what the etiquette is /should be?
I was the girl who didn't have a lot of "normal" things growing up (eg TV) because my parents didn't approve so I am really keen to make sure the girls without phones aren't inadvertently left out

Its significantly larger and I would say much easier to get broken if it’s dropped or thrown around in a bag

I’d refuse to contact the girls mum so that the mum realises her DD needs a phone to keep in contact with friends

stop getting involved OP

stand back and let it sort itself out

you slowing the process down for this poor girl if ever getting a phone by getting involved

The kids sorted it themeselves TBH - either text/e-mail or one with a phone knocking on the door if lived nearby.

I frankly got annoyed when one such mother - girls same age as mine - started phoning my kids mobile or turning up at our door to get in touch with her DDs when they were out. Told my DC in end to not answer as not their reponsblity and girls were often not homnet about plans with their mother and I didn't want my kids caught up in it all. Think in end they did get phones.

I unfortunately we’re at a stage of moral panic now where some parents seem to think phones are basically crack cocaine. The difference is it’s perfectly possible to use them safely and sensibly.

Phones are just a device- the issue can be with how they’re used and what they’re used for. It makes no more sense to stop DC having phones than it would to ban them watching TV because there are porn channels on there.

It’s far better for them to learn how to use phones in a supportive environment where they can raise concerns and questions.

Ironically, this woman’s DD is going to end up being stuck at home on her own when she could be out socialising in person (which has huge benefits) due to her mother’s intransigence.

Year 7s make their own social arrangements whether they have a phone or not