AIBU to give an iphone to an 8-year-old

[moofolk]

Bear with me on this. Not long ago I would have thought it ridiculous to give an iphone to a child, but am considering giving one to my son for his 8th birthday.
It would be for inside the house, and he'll be getting his own bedroom soon. Would serve as pad / tablet, could play games, music, etc. I probably wouldn't get a sim card (though could work up to that). I have i-stuff so he could have access to my music through family sharing, but through iMessage on home wifi he could send messages to his best friend. She has one, mainly to contact her mum when she stays at her dad's house. Obvs would have to get on board with heavy parental controls etc, I don't want him unsupervised on the internet but don't know how that works.
It would be an older model, a second hand 4 or something cheap.
So in many ways sensible but part of me screams inside at the idea of a kid that young having an iphone. Am I reasonable or is that outdated thinking?

[notamummy10]

Why not get a iPod Touch, it does virtually what an iPhone can do apart from phone calls and text messages. You can set iMessage up via an email address too!

[VioletBam]

Moo, is it because you can get the phone on a pay as you go plan or something? Because he'd be better off with a tablet.

[SheHasAWildHeart]

I think playing games on an iphone isn't great on the eyes, so a tablet would be better. DD8 has a Kindle Fire and for £3.99 she can download unlimited kids games, shows, apps and books.

[Kiwiinkits]

Another one here with nephews who have lost the ability to play or conduct basic two-way communication due to being glued to screens 24/7. It makes me, ugh.

[moofolk]

I decided to do it as I have an old iphone off contract that I though was broken but works just enough to play music, and have a few games.
It will be supervised etc. and as I have it already then cheaper than forking out for an ipod (got another DK an old scroll wheel ipod for £20 at Christmas, they are excellent and last forever).
The clincher for me was an incident at a sleepover that I was not happy with at all and will get a PAYG sim which I'll put in if he ever has a sleepover again so he can contact me if he doesn't feel safe.