Hey IM’s,
I’m wondering what age you let your kids have their own phones?
I’m trying to work out what’s normal and if I’m being unreasonable. My son is 11 and in grade 5.
I told him he will get a phone when he starts high school but a lot of his mates have their own phones and message him on my phone and he’s asking for his own because that’s embarrassing to use mums phone
9 Replies
My son is 14 and my daughter almost 13 and both don’t have phones. Only kids in high school without one and that’s how I want it to stay. With all the bullying across social media and phones, I am glad my kids are never part of it. I hear daily from other parents the bullying and anxiety the phones and social media create, it’s awful. I will hold off until my kids are working and can buy one themselves and pay for their own bills. I don’t care that they don’t have one or the only kids without one at school. I do it for their mental health and what I feel is right for my kids. What we all do is different and what suits your kids on this topic.
Wait as long as you can
16
My son is the same age and grade. They don't need a phone unless it's a dumb phone to stay in contact when away from you. If he has access to any other tech, set him up with messenger for kids.
We decided 12th birthday for our kids.
A basic talk and text phone may be an option for the time being as well just so he doesn't have to use yours.
Just remember one he gets a phone, there is no turning back. Enjoy this time without one for as long as you can. It will be forever Attached to him, once he gets one and opens up a whole can of worms amongst school friends and bullies.
He has his whole life ahead of him with a phone attached to him; make the most of these days without it, if you can. I personally think 16 is a good age.
My kids were about 11 1/2 when they got basic talk and text phones. It was around when I was starting to leave them home alone and when they were beginning to have a wander at the shops without me. Around the same time they needed iPads when they started high school. They were able to communicate with their friends on their iPads, so they were not disadvantaged in any way by only having talk and text phones. My eldest got a smart phone at about 13 or 14 because he was going on a music tour with school and it enabled him to take photos along the way. My youngest was a similar age.
Avoid it for as long as you can. Omg the drama.... Don't let your kids anywhere near social media. It's just asking for trouble.
It all depends on circumstances. My eldest got a phone when he was 8. He spent time at mine and his dads house and this was the best way for him to keep on contact with both houses. He also caught the bus to and from school at his dads house and needed to be able to contact us in an emergency. My other kids, 1 got one at 13 for highschool. My youngest at 10 because she would walk home from school. They all had pre paid that had minimal data. Phones were for emergency use and not just because.