Mobile phone for a five year old

[user1477078716]

My boyfriend wants to give his daughter a mobile phone. She is 5. I think this is highly inappropriate. Would welcome your reflections on this.
Not that I think it is relevant but she stays with her mother every other weekend at her grandparents house. When I asked him why he thought it was a good idea he said so she could contact him if she wanted to.

For this reason my 7 year old will be getting a smart watch this Christmas. It will be programmed with 3 numbers that she can text or call in emergencies and I can send her text messages. It will be monitored and managed.

Yes, the dogs erm
But there is a difference between s/o who has just turned 5 and a 7yo

What about a phone like this

www.ownfone.com

It's for younger kids and they can only call their parents.

Noway, why does a 5 year old need a phone. Usually their with their parent.

But children that young are never unaccompanied anyway.

Why can't they just ask an adult if they need to speak on the phone?!

Why can't they just ask an adult if they need to speak on the phone?!

Depends on the circumstances really. Like I said it works for us. But all families are different. I don't think there's a blanket answer to suit all.
And I don't think it's the evil some people are making it out to be.

I didn't mean that you were creating problems- your gf is.

Mobile phones are usually banned on overnight trips with school, Brownies etc at primary school age because it can cause the child to miss home more and because phones can be broken and be a distraction.

The usual time to get a first mobile phone is starting secondary or when children play outside the home without adult supervision. If my ex gave my 5 year old one I would be and wonder why. My children are allowed to use my phone for calls whenever and in an emergency, would know to dial 999 or knock for the neighbour to help asap.

We have just got 8 year old DS one so he can play Pokemon Go. I think 5 is too young personally but ultimately it is her mother's decision.

I don't see the problem with this. It's just a tool to allow her to communicate. It doesn't have to be a smartphone. She's not going to get addicted to texting her friends I presume.