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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

DD (age 7) wants an iphone

50 replies

frankie80 · 05/02/2015 21:46

because all her friends have one Hmm

its her birthday in 2 weeks. DH is saying lets just get her one. DM says the same (although I don't think DM fully understands!)

So DD now thinks she's getting an iphone.

I am adamant she's not getting one. 12 yo maybe, definitely not 7.

I'm suggesting instead a phone for her room, allowing us a bit of control over who she phones and who she answers the phone to.

AIBU? Any other 7 year olds out there with mobiles??

OP posts:
QueenofLouisiana · 05/02/2015 21:48

nope! YANBU.

I hae agreed to a SIM card for my old iphone at 10. At the moment it doesnt even have wifi on unless i can see what is going on. DS is 9.

BlackeyedSusan · 05/02/2015 21:48

bloody school got i pads... guess what ds asked for from age four. tha answer was and still is no.

apparently all his friends get pocket money, except jane...

Maidupmum · 05/02/2015 21:49

An iPod touch possibly? Does everything an iPhone does without the phone element and only works with wifi

Charley50 · 05/02/2015 21:50

No! ITouch maybe but 7 is a bit young for that. They don't need any phone at 7 cuz they aren't off on their own.

howtodrainyourflagon · 05/02/2015 21:50

Ds is 7. He'd like a dragon. He'll be getting some sports kit, lego, and a few books and dvds.

I think this is one of those times when you get to make the decision as the parent because you're the adult...

Personally I think your dh and dm are barking but if you usually spend tgat sort of money on a birthday present and provided you put in place parental controls and some screen time limitations - who am I to judge.

MegBusset · 05/02/2015 21:51

I know plenty of 7yos with tablets (not mine though). None at all with phones. Who on earth does she need to call?!

Mintyy · 05/02/2015 21:51

I'd like an iphone. I am 52 Smile.

Original poster
frankie80 · 05/02/2015 21:52

she has an ipod touch and a kindle.

I say enough is enough. She doesn't need an iphone.

OP posts:
Doyouthinktheysaurus · 05/02/2015 21:54

Terrible idea. Why would a 7 year old need a phone?

Ds1 (12) has a cheap smartphone and it's never used. He and his brother have iPads which are very useful but neither will be getting an expensive phone for a very long time!

I only just got an iPhone and I'm 40!

Original poster
frankie80 · 05/02/2015 21:54

(In case of any flaming, she got them cos DH used to work in a technology place so got them cheapo. We've put in place lots of restrictions. She's definitely not getting a phone. I won't allow it and I'd KILL DH if he went behind my back).

OP posts:
ChocolateBiscuitCake · 05/02/2015 21:54

Who on earth are they going to call at 7??? And why would they want to call anyone (surely they see the majority of friends during the school day?)?

What is wrong with good old fashioned toys or crafts?

badoomtish · 05/02/2015 21:55

NO! Honestly, what on earth could a 7 year old want with an iPhone? Leave yourself some room to get decent presents in future. The potential for disaster when a 7 year old has access to the internet and all it contains is too great IMO.

kilmuir · 05/02/2015 21:55

No, do not get one. for starters who is she going to ring? i have an 8 year old and she is never left in a position to need to use a phone

PenguinSalute · 05/02/2015 21:56

What the Jeff?! Is this a thing now?? Who do 7 year olds have to call? It would be a definite no from me OP and I think I'm generally quite lax about technology for younger children. What does she want it for? Music- maybe a more basic mp3 player/karaoke machine? Games- a basic tablet- my niece and nephew both have hudls and think they're great.

kormachameleon · 05/02/2015 21:56

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

morethanpotatoprints · 05/02/2015 21:58

YANBU, she doesn't need one yet.
My dd hasn't got one and she is 11, she has one of our old ones, still touch screen.
If her friends are calling each other, I don't see anything wrong with a cheap pretty one that doesn't do much. My dd sends quite a few texts and calls friends now.
I always think if they have everything they want when little there's nowhere to go when they are older, but thats just me.

Original poster
frankie80 · 05/02/2015 22:01

that's my argument - who will she call? Other than her GPs and her cousin maybe!

I wonder if her friends have one because some of them have separated parents?

OP posts:
Dancergirl · 05/02/2015 22:01

Frankly I'm amazed at buying any expensive electrical devices for such young children. Quite a few of Dds friend have itouchs, she is year 3.

They're 7 years old FFS! Buy them TOYS while you still can. Plenty of time for gadgets. All in good time.

And what really annoys me is that it's probably the same parents who complain how quickly children grow up these days. Yes, because they're encouraging it. Childrens and adults 'stuff' is all a blur these days, it shouldn't be that way, and children should learn to wait for stuff.

I'm old fashioned though.

PopularNamesInclude · 05/02/2015 22:05

She already has an ipod touch. Why do you think an iphone is a step too far? I understand not wanting to give a child an internet-enabled device that is designed to be used without your direct spervision... but you've already done that. So frankly after a Kindle and an ipod touch.. why not an iphone?

IKnewYou · 05/02/2015 22:08

If your DH got her an iPhone for her 7th birday goodness knows what he would get her when she is a teen.

Original poster
frankie80 · 05/02/2015 22:09

I don't want her calling everyone and anyone, or receiving calls from strangers.
We have privacy settings on her touch and kindle. She uses them to play games, read and listen to itunes.

OP posts:
Mehitabel6 · 05/02/2015 22:09

Far too young.

TheHermitCrab · 05/02/2015 22:11

At 27 I would love an iPhone, but sensibly, I don't need one, all I do is ring and text people, so I have a piece of crap phone that everyone mocks. What 7 yr old needs a phone? YANBU...

hoobypickypicky · 05/02/2015 22:13

There's another angle to this, aside from the obvious 'what on earth does she want with an iPhone?'. Consider this - if she has an iPhone at 7 just what will you be able to think of to buy her when she's 11, 12 or 13?

Toys. Seven year olds have toys, books, craft stuff. Not iPhones.

mamapain · 05/02/2015 22:14

My DD is 7 and has an iPhone, its an old one. She chose this over a newer iPod Touch.

It has Wifi, but can't make/receive calls. It cost us nothing and entertains her as much as any other toy.

I wouldn't bother putting a phone in her room, she won't have anyone to call.

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