Posted by
missmuffet
19 yrs ago
Hi,
I would like to know the best age to give ur child a mobile? My daughter is 6yrs old, my husband says he wanted to buy her one when she's 7, I still think its too early. Any suggestions?
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I think it depends on the individual situation. I gave my son a phone when he was 8 because we live in Shanghai and he doesn't speak Chinese at all and I was worried that he would get lost and not be able to get to a phone to call for help.
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how times have changed!
i got my first pager at 17 when i entered junior college and my mobile only in uni. you can imagine my shock when i tutored a 12 year old for pocket money during uni days who boasted that her mum promised her a mobile if she got good results.
it really depends on what the mobile phone is for and whether your daughter will use it responsibly. if you feel it is a good idea in an emergency, then i suppose you can buy her one but only restrict the usage when she is out without you or you are going somewhere quite crowded where you might lose her. but i would think twice about letting her having it 24/7 and bringing it to school and showing it off, etc....UNLESS you reckon it's time to teach your child to be responsible for her own things, etc
just my thoughts, my kid is only 14 months so i have a long way to go! :)
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Wheelymate makes a good point. I had forgotten to mention that my son is not allowed to bring his phone to school and only brings it out when we go out together (in case he gets lost or something happens) and when he plays downstairs at the podium with his friends.
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cd
19 yrs ago
Mine got theirs at 11,once they started at secondary school and started using public transport by themselves. Why would a 6 year old need one, do they ever go out without a parent or carer?
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Totty
19 yrs ago
My 6, soon to be 7 yr old, wanted one for her birthday, i said no as she's too young.
Instead i've bought walkie talkies so as she can go to the playground on her own yet still be in contact. She really has no use for a mobile phone, waste of money if you ask me.
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I agree with the above posts, 6/7 is far too young to be having a mobile phone. At that age they wouldn't (or shouldn't) be going out and about on their own, so why would it be necessary? My kids both had them at around 11, once they had started secondary school.
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MC
19 yrs ago
I bought my daugther one about 5 months ago. She is turning 8 next month.
1. She does not take it to school except on the one day that she has after school activity where she would call me after she gets on the bus.
2. She takes it to Sat. classes and uses it to call us when the class finishes so we can pick up her.
3. She takes it when she goes out with some friends (with one adult of course). Just easier to track her.
4. She also takes it when she goes to someone's house to play (in our complex of course).
So generally she uses it about 10% of the time. The card I got costs $50 or so and lasts 6 months. I am glad I got it for her.
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