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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

So tell me - does yr KS2 child have a mobile phone? Am I singling DS1 out?

37 replies

Clary · 04/10/2009 01:17

This is in primary ed because it's a school issue, in a way.

Pal of Ds's (he's 10 and in yr 6) came to tea t'other day and brought his mobile phone - no worse than bringing his DS or his football I guess .

I am very not keen on mobiles (don't even have one myself) but I can see of course why adults do. But children?

Why do they need them I wonder. Asked the pal this and he said "to phone people". But who?

Yes, DS goes out on his own - to the shop for me, to the park - but I know where he is and he knows when to come back. I can't see why he would ever need to ring me. If he was in some kind of accident, then the mobile is not going to save him...

But do all other 10yos have one? I really don't want to single DS out as being odd in any way (heaven knows we have already done that by supporting a non-Big 4 team, eating proper food etc).

Am I going to have to get him one for Christmas? (sigh)

Opinions genuinely needed - I know this seems like a rant but it;s not meant to!

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Pyrocanthus · 04/10/2009 19:15

DD1 got one at the end of year 6 so she could accumulate some numbers before the end of term. Most of her friends got one sometime in year 6. She takes it to school now in case of bus emergency, though in fact they can phone from school anyway.

I lent her mine once or twice when she was out playing before that, but decided that on the whole I'd rather she learnt to use her watch to get herself home on time rather than waiting for me to call her in.

It's not (or shouldn't be) a big deal not having one yet.

pointydoug · 04/10/2009 19:32

yes, both dds had one at 10.

You do not have to get your ds one for christmas but I don't see why you wouldn't

applepudding · 04/10/2009 21:45

DS in Y4 doesn't have a mobile and I think the children in his class who do are from homes where they only live with one of their parents, so often use the mobile to communicate with the other parent.

DS doesn't yet go out anywhere without me (unless with friends' parents) and I don't think he will walk to his primary school alone (traffic concern), but by the time he is mature enough to be out by himself I am sure that I would get him his own phone.

cat64 · 04/10/2009 22:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Madsometimes · 05/10/2009 10:05

Very similar to cat64 at our school. Parents have to write to the office if they require their children to bring a phone to school. Only those children are allowed to bring mobiles to school, and they have to be handed in to the office during the school day.

dd1 has a summer birthday and will get one for her 11th birthday. She does have enough money in her piggy bank to buy her own, but she does not have permission to do so. I have an old PAYG phone which she can use if she goes out on her own (which she never does).

cory · 06/10/2009 07:51

I only let dd have one because of very special circumstances (disability which means she can collapse at any time). Otherwise I see no reason not to wait until secondary. Am not planning to let ds have one in Yr 6.

ICANDOTHAT · 06/10/2009 07:54

My ds1 had a mobile phone as soon as he started traveling to school on his own - year 6 aged 11.

hippipotamiHasLost69lbs · 06/10/2009 07:59

Most Y6's here do not have them. But I know many parents are planning on buying them for when their dc starts secondary school.
Ds is in Y6. He will not be getting one until just before starting secondary.

I think (certainly around here) a Y6 with a mobile is an exception to the 'norm'. (And I am glad, it is one less thing for ds to pester for )

Original poster

Clary · 07/10/2009 00:40

Thanks for input all.

Am going to canvas a few more parents (have thought of a few where I think "ooh if XXX has got one then everyone must!") and also ask DS!

Should add I am not talking about school. They are not allowed to have them in school nor do they AFAIK.

This is just when kids have ben at the park/round at our house.

OP posts:

hotpotato11 · 07/10/2009 09:40

Most people here by their DC phones during Y6 in preparation for secondary school where they have a long journey on an unreliable bus service.As we are in an 11+ area it is often given as a reward for doing the 11+.

hotpotato11 · 07/10/2009 09:41

but just to add they are not allowed to take phones into our primary.

LetsEscape · 07/10/2009 10:23

Our primary school had a no phone policy up until last term of year 6. This is when the children are expected to go to school alone in preparation for secondary school and there is an expectation that they will have a mobile phone.
I was a bit concerned at first for health reasons really but am now totally converted. My child now travels by tube and bus to school (we're in London) and I feel very reassured that he can contact me if say the trains are cancelled etc. It also has given him a lot of confidence. Interesting he very rarely rings , he uses texts which are cheaper and healthwise are hopefully safer.

All his friends have one , all cheap PAYG types.. but nevertheless they are much better than my brick.

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