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Mumsnet users discuss getting their child’s first mobile phone with musicMagpie

289 replies

EllieMumsnet · 05/12/2018 11:50

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Buying your child their first mobile phone can feel like a big milestone; it’s one of their first steps to becoming a little more independent. With so many different types of phones out there and with a lot of information to sift through on when and how to go about getting your DC their first phone, whether you hand them down their siblings old one, buy a refurbished phone or even get a new one, musicMagpie would love to know your tips, experiences and thoughts on buying your child their first phone.

Here’s what musicMagpie has to say: “With the latest smartphones costing up to £1,000 or more each year, it’s not feasible for many families to be able to afford the latest Tech. You can still get your kids great quality phones without the hefty bill when you buy certified refurbished mobile phones from musicMagpie. You can literally save hundreds of pounds! For example, you could pay £449 for a brand new iPhone 7 or you could save over £170 for a very good condition iPhone 7 with musicMagpie. It’s not just the price – all of our phones comes with a 12 month warranty and go through a thorough 70 point check to make sure they’re in full working order. Here’s how we refurbish our phones. Keep the kids happy and save money… why wouldn’t you?”

What age did you decide to give your child their first phone? Or was it more about them starting secondary school or walking places by themselves that was the deciding factor? Have you/did you ever consider getting them a second hand/refurbished phone? If you did was it a hand-me-down phone from yourself or did you purchase a refurbished one? How did decide which phone was best and what type of package did you get e.g. pay-as-you-go or contract? Have you put any rules in place surrounding the use of their phone? Do you have any tips on where to shop for their first phone?

Whatever your thoughts, tips and/or experiences are, comment them on the thread below and all MNers that do will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will win a £300 voucher of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw!
MNHQ

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Mumsnet users discuss getting their child’s first mobile phone with musicMagpie
OP posts:
pfcpompeysarah · 10/12/2018 22:04

My DS is 11 and had his first phone bought for him last xmas by his grandparents, we made sure the phone met his needs and ultimately that we had good insurance so that if he should drop it or lose it then its not the end of the world!

feeona123 · 10/12/2018 22:19

My kids are 4 and 2 so I hope it’s a long time before they get one! I can’t imagine buying them a brand new one as I’m be too worried that they lost it.

LeeR1985 · 10/12/2018 22:49

I've not bought my daughter a mobile yet, however when it gets to that point, she'll be getting a basic feature phone purely for staying in touch with when she's out. She doesn't need a smartphone. She's 9.

MrRichTea · 10/12/2018 22:50

I think phones are a good idea, for contact with your child, but not OTT, esp at younger ages

helly27 · 10/12/2018 23:25

When they need it for safety and security issues i.e the start of high school when they go by themselves

ecomousey · 11/12/2018 00:20

Think stylish enough to deter bullying. cheap enough to deter theft.

asuwere · 11/12/2018 03:34

I had thought that I would get DS1 a phone when he started secondary but he's already there and still haven't got him one. I rarely use a mobile so it's not a huge priority. When he does get one, it'll probably be new but not a ridiculously priced named brand - my phone was only £25!

mave · 11/12/2018 06:03

A refurbished one is cheaper and just as good, then we bought a cheap contract!

SilverDoe · 11/12/2018 06:36

I think children should have phones by the time they start secondary school. Any younger and I’d stick to tablets. I remember not having a phone when starting secondary school and most of my friends had one which was a bit embarrassing! Plus from a practical view point they are obviously useful by that age.

I’ve bought refurbished phones for myself in the last which have been great, so I’d definitely buy a refurbished or old contract phone for an 11 year old.

Battler1126 · 11/12/2018 08:03

My daughter got her first phone when she was 4. It was my iPhone. I decided to get a new one and gave mine to her as she knew how to use it and I put educational apps on there for her. Last year I got the samsung galaxy s8+ for Christmas. She will get a new phone next year when shes due an upgrade.

happysouls · 11/12/2018 08:15

My son had a simple mobile phone when he was very young for any time he wanted to phone his Dad. As he has grown up and smart phones have developed my son has pretty much helped me buy mobile phones rather than the other way round! haha!

Beamur · 11/12/2018 09:31

I got a refurbished iPhone (from music magpie actually) for DD aged 11 when she started school. We have a Mac at home so can keep tabs on her messages, etc, which she knows about. She's too young for social media, but can use facetime with Apple. Phone is smart looking and has good functions but was also pretty cheap, so less stress about damage or loss.

SuzCG · 11/12/2018 10:55

DH gave our DS a phone when he was 11 and going away on a swim training camp so he could stay in touch with us. He didn't ring once! It has just become something to game on. Worst decision he ever made!!

He was given a reasonably cheap and basic smartphone (no way an iPhone) and it does everything he should need it to.

PickAChew · 11/12/2018 11:00

DS1's first phone was an old one of mine. He saved up birthday and Christmas money and replaced that with a lower mid range phone, costing about £130.

£450 is still a lot of money to spend on a phone that might easily get lost, nicked or broken - DS1 lost his last phone on a school field trip. I don't even spend that sort of money on phones for myself - I have an Honor 9, which I bought on offer at £160 and it's excellent - launches apps quickly, great screen and takes a good photo - plus has loads of storage, if I need it and is dual SIM, which I always look for in a phone.

southernsun · 11/12/2018 11:19

We have recently bough ds1 a phone. He is 9 but the phone is only a basic PAYG phone and it is switched off in a draw 99% of the time. It is used only when he goes out on his own to a friends house to let us know when he gets there and leaves.

xcxcsophiexcxc · 11/12/2018 12:52

A second hand phone or not something flash would be appropriate. Great for keeping in contact and keeping safe

littlemonkeyz · 11/12/2018 13:15

I think I will wait until my son is at secondary school before I buy him a mobile. It will definitely be a cheap one that doesn't matter if it is stolen, broken or lost!

daisyduke66 · 11/12/2018 13:54

Starting secondary school for first mobiles - pay as you go. A safety issue first and foremost but helps with responsibility issues too.

SummerOgilvy · 11/12/2018 16:35

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TheWomanTheyCallJayne · 11/12/2018 17:15

My eldest two got theirs when they were 13 as they were off to boarding school. Both were second hand. One bought on local selling pages, the other having gone through both dh and I.
Dd was going to be going to school more locally so we got her one when she was 11 as she would be going on the bus. She changed schools and now rarely uses it but may again in the future. Again it was second hand bought on selling pages. We have a family contract that saves us quite a bit. We keep quite strict control, relaxing as they get older. Our eldest two are pretty sensible so there was never much worry with them.
Our youngest (9) will get one when the need arises.
I don’t think small children need a phone. We have a family basic pay as you go that was always there if someone needed to take it. It made calls and sent texts and that was all that was necessary.

Cailin7 · 11/12/2018 17:34

High school was when ours go a phone, but just cheap pay as you gos.

HannahLI · 11/12/2018 20:39

My son is 8 and he is already asking for a phone, I haven't got him one. However we are thinking that the summer of year 6 is probably a good time as part of that tranisition to secondary school. Our plan is to give him one of our older handsets in a really good case (so he can't break it) it also makes it look less attractive! It would be on a pay as you go as he has to learn what he can do on it and the value of the service I don't think we would consider a family plan until he was older.

Ranita · 11/12/2018 20:48

My eldest got a phone at 12. He had started secondary and was starting to go out for longer periods with his friends. He is on a pay as you go, we bought the phone outright but secondhand.

Marg2k8 · 11/12/2018 21:34

My children are older now, so this was not an issue when they were young, as no other children had them.

fishnships · 11/12/2018 22:20

Waiting until 11 has worked well for us. A basic phone with a simple contract to begin with - that's all they need at first, upgrades later.