Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Original poster

would you buy a mobile phone for a 6 year old

25 replies

kerryk · 15/12/2007 16:06

dh wants to buy one for dd but it would not be used as a phone as she is not allowed out our street(so no need for it), she had my old one that she loved playing with, taking pictures/videos, listening to songs etc.

there is a pink one in argos for £25 that he is looking at for her but i think she is to young to be given her 1st phone. does anyone know if the kids digi-cam has a video recording thing on it, or if there is maybe a child friendly mp3 player that we could think about instead.

or maybe everyone elses 6yo dc has phones and i am really behind the times

OP posts:
meemar · 15/12/2007 16:09

what happened to your old one she was using?

Original poster
kerryk · 15/12/2007 16:11

it ended up in the bath one night

OP posts:
LadyTophamHatt · 15/12/2007 16:12

Good god!!
NO WAY

get her a tape recorder if she like recording herself...

cluckiemama · 15/12/2007 16:12

I've only just bought my ds a mobile phone for his 9th birthday. I would just get her a cheap mp3 player, my ds used to have one and he thought it was great

roisin · 15/12/2007 16:13

No way!

Apart from anything there are still question marks over the effect of phones on developing brains, and govt advice is to avoid children using mobiles at all.

My children are 8 and 10 and mobiles are still a future prospect for us: and I think that's fairly normal.

meemar · 15/12/2007 16:15

I think if its just for taking pics you probably would be better off not getting a phone.

I don't know how much of the reports are scaremongering, but isn't there an issue with young children using phones because of the radio waves? (don't know if this applies if not using it for calls)

Magrat · 15/12/2007 16:15

NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

Original poster
kerryk · 15/12/2007 16:15

never thought about any possible health problems

this might be a really silly question but does this only apply to phones or mpv players as well

OP posts:
TinyTimsGangGawdBlessUs1andAll · 15/12/2007 16:21

No I wouldn't. It's a bit grown up for 6 imho.

Argos have this Pink MP3 player in their sale atm if you are looking for one.

allIWannaBeForChristmas · 15/12/2007 16:30

[shoc] no no no no no.

IMO children should not have mobile phones. am even at a 9 yo having one.

and all this talk about "oh but it keeps them safe" is a load of bollocks IMO.

mumeeee · 15/12/2007 16:33

No she is much to young.

MrsGrinch · 15/12/2007 17:00

No.

Blu · 15/12/2007 17:04

I think you are right. Tell your dh to think Toys. To PLAY with. Like CHILDREN do!

Tamum · 15/12/2007 17:06

I do think, with things like this, it's very useful to hold things in reserve for when they are no longer interested in toys. There's so much else that 6 year old girls like, there's no need to get her a phone, really. I just got ds one for his 13th birthday and he was thrilled, it was a recognition of his new "status" as a teenager. I would be really stuck for presents now if he had already had all this stuff when he was a child.

chopchopbusybusy · 15/12/2007 17:07

No - DD1 got one for Christmas last year when she was 13. There are much more interesting Christmas presents for a 6 year old. Get her a chocolate mobile phone. It will last as long as her interest in a real one would

aviatrix · 15/12/2007 17:08

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Blu · 15/12/2007 17:12

Tamum's words should be printed across every credit card and bank note in the land!

ISawSantaKissingKerrysNorks · 15/12/2007 17:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Tamum · 15/12/2007 17:16

Why, thank you Blu I am posting from the point of view of someone who has to constantly rein in a tendency to go overboard with children's presents, mind!

Magrat · 15/12/2007 17:17

yes Tamum is wise indeed

I must admit I do look round friends and wonder why they are rushing their children through their childhood rather than trying to hold on to their innocence and gleeful enjoyment for as long as possible .. taking children to films that are too old for them just because they have a 12A certificate, buying them toys designed for older children, dressing them inappropriately

I find it sad

but then maybe my children are too naive .. but I like them like that

DS just said that angels don't exist but fairies do don't they mummy

Weegle · 15/12/2007 17:18

absolutely not

Original poster
kerryk · 15/12/2007 17:21

thank you for that link tinytim. it is out of stock at my local argos but there is one near my mums which has it, will just have to call her and see if she can pick it up for me.

OP posts:
Original poster
kerryk · 15/12/2007 17:24

i should also have worded the title diffrent, i seem to be making myself out to be a terrible mum. as i said in the op it is more for the music/picture side of things rather than it being a actual working phone as she has no need for this.

OP posts:
naughtynoonoo · 15/12/2007 17:29

Aparently if you leave the phone (that fell in the bath) in a bag of rice for a couple of days it shouldl dry it out. I wouldn't buy one for my 6 year old. On her wish list this year is.... a LCD TV for her room, an IPOD and a laptop. Guess how many she's getting - not!

smartiejake · 15/12/2007 17:47

No NO NOOO!
Ridiculous! Get her a cheap camera and mp3.
DD1 had her first phone at 10.5 when she started going out by herself and dd2 will have to wait for the same age.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread