Does your child have a mobile phone

[looking4pup]

If not what age are they and why don't they have one?

A bit different to your question... but DD only started using her phone as a phone, rather than a small tablet, out of the house when she was nearly 12. Even then its just to call us for pick ups etc, and when she needed it on Scout camp during free time, rather than taking it everywhere with her. She doesn't take it to school for example.

He got it in y5. In Y6 he walks to school alone so it comes useful

Mine got them for their 11th birthday. I think it would be considered unusual now for a child at secondary school not to have one.

Y6 + Y8 - no phone - no need to have one.

Got smart phone in Y6 - now in Y10

Total essential - DD has a long commute, multiple extra-curriculars and SEN

All school apps are on there for homework, messages etc, calendars, transport apps, bank card, WhatApp and a tracker.

Dts got them in the summer before y6 for their birthdays. They started waking to / from school and they all pretty much seemed to have them.

Now at secondary they are pretty much essential.

Yes, I think if they commute to secondary alone and take public transport it is a must.

Mine have had one since probably age 8 and 10 to message their dad (he works away), family and their friends. They only had a couple of contacts in their phone. The last 2/3 years they have had Snapchat, Roblox and What's app.

I read on here lots their are don't have them or if they do it's just for safety. But in RL all the kids I know of have them. I was just curious.

Yes. DD got one towards end Yr 6 but only a crappy old Samsung. Has WhatsApp but no snapchat/tiktok etc.

Your children are far too young to have the Snapchat app

I wouldn't allow an 8 year old access to Snapchat to be honest.

No they didn't have Snapchat age 8

Obviously Snapchat and Roblox are for 13 yrs + however seems many kids a lot younger than that have access to them.

And WhatsApp is 16+

Yes had it year 6 now in year 7 need it for homework, coordinating with friends and us for transport.
Essential now.
Does have WhatsApp but nothing else

Guys you are so out of date. Kids use Discord these days ...😂

Dd got phone in the beginning of year7. Ds got phone in year8 but doesn't take it to school. He doesn't really use his phone.

My intention is Christmas of year 6. Time to teach responsible use before starting secondary.
We have a long time to then though, so who knows what might change!

13 in the UK?

Got one in April of year 6. It was an early birthday present for his 11th birthday in the august and started secondary in September.

We got it early because ds has some LD and it was a really cheap deal on a data sharing plan. It gave me time to teach him how to use it and when to use it! For example ds needed to be taught that he could send a text for help or make a call for me to collect him.

A week before he started wasn't long enough.

I will add he was 17 before he use snap chat and what's app!

He use to get annoyed people sent messages 🫣🤣

Never used tik tok - he hates it!

He's 19 now

No. It used to be minimum age 13, but it was increased to 16.

GDPR legislation as WhatsApp store things like what device you are using.

Bit nuts really as I would much prefer DD used that than SnapChat which I massively dislike and refused to allow till she was 13.

Both of mine have them, DD1 was end of Y6 wanted her to get used to the phone before high school. She walks to school alone so peace of mind for us.
DD2 got one in Y5 as she started playing out with friends locally and good to get hold of her when I needed to.

No. Definitely 16+ in the UK.