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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Phone for a seven year old? Really?

59 replies

Molehillmountain · 20/12/2011 21:55

I always get like this at this time of year as I def don't understand the present buying philosophy of my in laws. Aibu and a bit of a Luddite, or is seven still quite young for a mobile phone even in this day and age?

OP posts:
youarekidding · 21/12/2011 14:59

I actually think from experience YA and YAN BU!

Friend gave her DD1 a phone as they bought a phone with netbook deal as DSD wanted a netbook. At the time I was a bit Hmm (she was 6!) but the phone was useful for her to text her GP's and sister.

However since then the family have bought a phone for DD2 then 5yo which she used for about a month and got bored. When DD1 lost her old phone in the sea she got another and DD2 got another which again she doesn't use after 2 months. DD1 uses hers to text her sister (DSD) but also has an android touchphone which was ordered on contract for the Ipad. Now the DD1 and DD2 have 2 phones and in total a family of 4 have 7 mobiles between them.

Neither of the 2 girls go out without a parent - not even the street (6&8 yo now) and use the phone as an accessory, play games etc. Although they fight over friends Iphone and Ipad mostly!

Having said all that it's not my place to care or interfere.

I have looked at PAYG phones for DS when he starts going out to play alone (has allergies and epi-pens so doesn't as yet) but he will be getting a plain simple one if and when he does. I have said secondary school but think he'll need one sooner when he plays out alone.

perceptionreality · 21/12/2011 15:04

My dd is nearly 8 and I can't see why she would need one.

mrsjay · 21/12/2011 15:06

My dds got a phone the christmas before high school so dd1 was 11 and dd was 10 and even 4 years ago dd2 was 1 of the last to get a mobile , I fail to see what a 7 year old needs a mobile for they are not toys , Although ive seen on threads of children if they are away at a parents and having phone to contact the other parent ,

festivefireworks · 21/12/2011 15:17

YANBU go ahead with your noises on Xmas day.

moogalicious · 21/12/2011 15:23

fredfred shall I send my 7 year old out to play on the busy main road where we live Hmm

My 9 year old has just got a phone as she is starting to go places with just her friends. Also useful for when we are camping and she wants to explore the site. It cost a fiver. Don't see why she would need a fancy one.

DoMeDon · 21/12/2011 15:26

YANBU - way too young- utterly daft. You can reason your way into or outta anything it seems - people have thier own agendas and find excuses to do things. No need for it at 7.

Original poster
Molehillmountain · 21/12/2011 17:05

Thanks all! I also need to get sorted how I feel about this because dc have gorgeous gps who always offer ours the same sort of gift using what dn had at similar age. We've already said no thanks to wii and Ds (I said I was a Luddite!) and so the phone will be next!

OP posts:
Helltotheno · 21/12/2011 17:22

No phones for the kiddies in our house. Mine have been told they can get phones with the money they earn from their first weekend job (or any other money they earn along the way).

We all survived w/o phones... it can be done Grin

ArthurPewty · 21/12/2011 17:25

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cuteboots · 21/12/2011 17:33

yanbu- Far too young! My son will maybe get one when he starts secondary school and not before.

betternextlife · 21/12/2011 17:46

I used to think phones for younger children were pointless. My best friend's DD ran off and disappeared when she was 8. The first think the police asked was does she have a phone, she did. They found her by tracking her mobile. My DCs now have cheap PAYG following this.

Helenagrace · 21/12/2011 17:51

DD had a phone when she was 8. I only bought her one because she switched schools and started travelling twelve miles on a coach each way.

It has been very useful at times - like when the coach driver missed her stop out or when the M6/M61/M65 were all closed and her coach was an hour and a half late.

It makes me feel better that she's contactable so I think it's worth it.

manicinsomniac · 21/12/2011 17:55

I think it's too young personally but it does depend on what the child does - activities, playing out alone, boarding school, parents apart/away etc.

My friend's 5 year old has her own iphone and ipad!! (not that I'm jealous or anything Xmas Wink

manicinsomniac · 21/12/2011 17:55

I think it's too young personally but it does depend on what the child does - activities, playing out alone, boarding school, parents apart/away etc.

My friend's 5 year old has her own iphone and ipad!! (not that I'm jealous or anything Xmas Wink

cece · 21/12/2011 18:03

My DD is 10 and she is getting one for christmas but only because she is now out on her own more.

FredFredGeorge · 21/12/2011 21:57

moogalicious No, but I don't think all kids live on main roads...

WorraLiberty · 21/12/2011 22:05

I used to think phones for younger children were pointless. My best friend's DD ran off and disappeared when she was 8. The first think the police asked was does she have a phone, she did. They found her by tracking her mobile. My DCs now have cheap PAYG following this

Why didn't they ring her up?

exoticfruits · 21/12/2011 22:18

Much too young IMO.

Cabrinha · 21/12/2011 23:16

I'm not swayed by the 'it's a want not a need' thing... My 3yo doesn't 'need' a dollshouse for her birthday, but I'm getting one because she wants it.
I can well imagine getting her a phone at 7, if she wants one. I might limit the minutes and texts - depending on current research on radiation and RSI. phones are so much more now - camera, games, diary, notebook.

I also take the view that technology moves fast and is hugely important. Perhaps being into phones early will encourage an interest in the science behind them - or the design. Hell,if she can pay her own uni fees or rental deposit writing an app when she's 16, I'll be pleased I let her have a phone ;0)

my concerns would be about health and security, not being too young.

startail · 21/12/2011 23:26

DD will have one for her 11 th birthday because she does a couple of activities where it's a pig to park. She's perfectly happy to be dropped off, but I'd like to know if they are cancelled.
This happened once with DD1's dance class. DH had been told he just forgot to tell me.
Dance teacher had theatre tickets, I fear she was late by the time she'd rang me to ring DHs mobile and get him from Tescos.

Original poster
Molehillmountain · 22/12/2011 07:43

I guess none of us knows where technology will lead. I'm a bit concerned about the health thing too-but more in a balance of activity way. If my dd needs a phone on the odd occasion when she's quite young, I think we might get a "family phone" that she can take out with her but isn't attached to her. But I know i do tend towards the dinosaur on technology and maybe that's not healthy. I guess I don't associate lots of screen time with being technologically literate.

OP posts:
sunnydelight · 22/12/2011 07:52

It depends on circumstances. DD (8) is getting a phone for Christmas because her oldest brother has just finished school and her other brother starts High School in February so although they are both on the same site and will be getting the school bus home together, they no longer wait in the same place so it is possible that DD could get on the bus but her brother miss it. If this happens I don't want her crossing the road on her own when she gets off the bus when I'm 30 seconds away and could meet her if I knew. I don't really give a shit if people think she's too young for a phone, personally I would prefer she's not at risk of being knocked down on a busy road.

Cabrinha · 22/12/2011 07:57

I'm not saying having a phone will defnitely make her technologically literate. I have friends in senior positions in phone companies who are my age and therefore thought mobiles were Star Trek fantasy territory growng up.
But I do think there is a potential advantage to growing up comfortable with gadgets and gizmos.
I'm as pleased that my 3yo can navigate an ipad to find a TTTE game as I am that she can do a very traditional jigsaw puzzle.
It's just a phone... Really don't see why people get het up about the age.

slowestwildebeast · 22/12/2011 08:16

7year olds need to make very important calls. :)

Original poster
Molehillmountain · 22/12/2011 09:10

So it depends on the child and their needs I guess? How dull-nothing for me to get grumpy and judgemental about. Hardly christmas without that!

OP posts: