mobile phone

[elderado]

I need advice, is it wrong to get my 10 year old daughter a new mobile phone for christmas, as this is one of the few things she said she would like this year, she already has one of my old ones which she mainly uses to take photos, it has come in handy when she passes messages from my wife while my wife is driving,the new phone will only be an upgrade so will not cost me anything. Is she to young for one?.

[pixiepie]

my 9yr olds have phones. They use them when they are going to play outta shouting distance or in someones house. They are both useless with watches as they forget to look at them so i either set their phone alarms or ring them to come home. They were only cheap ones from tesco and i had my doubts at first about them but they have come in handy and do give me a little bit of peace of mind

[elderado]

Thank you for the answer pixiepie, it has made me think that she should have one anyway for my peace of mind,i like the idea of the alarm so she knows when to come in.

[tigwig]

Hi I don't think a 10 year old is too young to have a new mobile as long as it isn't a really mega expensive flash one. A few years ago I would have disagreed but now I have a daughter I think differently. I feel that children are more safe out if they have a phone on them so they can contact you and vice versa

[fulhamboy]

hi,i still have concerns above the radiation from mobiles.3 years ago i asked my G.P.if it was o.k for my 11 year old daughter to have a mobile,and he told me that the reports on the safety of mobile phones is still a bit "vague." but i suppose if your daughter is using it for photos and texting it should be o.k. i hope this helps mark

[taperface]

I had the same concerns as you & phoned Orange, who had just activated a "cell" at the top of my road. They sent me a video, showing all you need to know, but when I questioned why masts and cells weren't placed directly next to schools - the reply was, that "radiation probably effects the tissue in young growing children - but it was "all about money" . For me, that was enough to say no to a mobile phone. Sorry!

[bednobs]

i personally think that 10 years old is too young for a mobile. I reckon in 60 years time we will have the same attitude to mobiles as we have to smoking now - ie we will look back and wryly smile that people thought they didnt harm your health.
Where would a 10 year old go that they would need a mobile for? or does it just let you let them go further afield because you have a sense of security (false; holly and jessica both had mobiles)

as to whether she is too young for a new mobile, i think it dosent make any difference whether its new or old. However, i think very parent has the right to make up their own mind as to whether their child is "too young" for a phone, and i would defend your right to make that decision: i just dont think its right myself (and bear in mind i dont have any kids either, and if i did would either probably instantly change my mind, or want them sattelite chipped so i knew where they wer all the time!)

[mycats]

I got my son a mobile when he was 10 and found topless pictures of girls on it :-( he says it wasnt him (I do think one of his friends sent them to him) but that was the end of HIS phone

I was thinking of getting him a new one for christmas but it will be the most basic one with no camera or anything.

If you are worried about radiation from the phone you can get her a little ear piece / hand free thing.

[girlygirl2]

I think 10 is old enough, at the end of the day, you are the parent and you are allowed to make the decision you think fair.
My daughter is 2 and half and she only lives with me every other week due to mine and her dads marriage break up, at first when she was missing me, I was considering giving her my old phone so she could ring me when she wanted to.
In the end its up to you. If you would feel happier knowing she can contact you, then whats the trouble?

x

[4getmenot]

I think its too young personally. A ten year old shouldnt ever be anywhere on their own to need one anyway. And when they need to call their mates they can use a home phone. Although I do think its a good idea if parents are seperated and as girly said they are visiting

[girlygirl2]

To be honest, I know it sounds ridiculous as she is only 2.5 but I was missing her so much and it killed me to think she was lying in bed and wanting her mommy to chat to or read a bed time story to.
Like I said its down to personal choice....

[Reverandfunk]

Heaven help us lol.

[joko]

you can set a tarriff for usage that you are happy with - such as text only or incoming calls only or a very short amount of minutes allowed
tell her you will get an itemised bill and set it so she can't top it up herself - this way she won't waste the calls and only use it when necessary

radiation is not an issue with texts.

lets just say, she can come to no harm by having one, but you would never forgive yourself if something bad happened that could have been prevented if she'd had a phone.

also, you say she already has your old one... so whats the difference of her having a new one...?

[FROGGY51171]

its not exactly wrong to get her one but trust me my daughter is 10 and i got her a new one last year it is rarely used or even charged

[leighkaty]

might be a bit late in posting this but my daughters ten she has a phone, granted the novelty has worn off and she only uses it and takes it out when prompted by me, it does come in handy when i want her to come in from playing at her friends etc, my seven yr old son also has one yes he may be to young and he only got it coz his sister and cousin had one etc but ive found it really nice for him coz he stays at his aunties most weekends and i find it realy sweet when i get little messages off him saying hello mum or love you mum and vice versa, they use their phones for txtin unless in an emergency coz i was scared about the radiation thing,

[elderado]

i must say a big thanks to all the responce and it has made my mind up,a new phone she will have,i guess at the end of the day if they were around when i was younger i might of had one myself. thanks again