Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hi
Can I ask at what age you give your children mobile phones?
Here in the UK it would seem to be ( when they go to the big school) about age eleven.
In Spain much later.
My grandchildren are revolting.
No! That’s not right! It should be my Spanish grandchildren are complaining.
The respective Mum’s and Dad’s will make the final decision, which I will respect.
However as a Grandfather I consider it my duty to throw a spanner in the works.

With World wide opinion on my side I will present their parents with solid evidence.
I must admit that I have been influenced by hugs and kisses.
However I will respect your opinions.
Is age eleven about right for a child to have a mobile phone?
Titus

Hi Titus
My oldest is 11 years and we gave him him a mobile phone.
It was our decision , not because he asked.
Reason. Times have changed from when we were children. Crime everywhere, really bad people everywhere.
Just knowing he can contact us at any time gives you that little more ............ (you can put in there a word that comes to mind that comforts you the most)
But: The phone has a parent lock so no facebook, twitter, youtube etc
Just call and messages.
Just my opinion.
(Also remember that if the friends have phones and he/she doesnt, then they are not in the "cool" crowd)
So short answer yes but with rules and regs.
]

I was about to say way Bam Bam said. There are also specially made mobiles that are just for kids too, so very basic, that just call & message. But it's not too hard to lock out the apps you don't want them to have.

I think start of high school is a pretty good idea. Maybe younger if they have to catch a bus/train and their parents are worried about not being able to contact them.
My son is only 6, he already wants one but I have very firmly said "no way" and "not anytime soon either!", so I have a few years to make my final decision yet.

I think this is where parents need to band together and support each other instead of trying to outdo each other.
If all the parents only gave their children phones that can call and send text messages, until they are old enough and have proven they are responsible enough to upgrade, then that would cut out a lot of the bullying that can come from not having the latest and greatest iPhone.

At 11, kids definitely should not have access to Facebook or any picture-sharing apps. It's just too dangerous, and in our litigious society it could have major consequences if technology is used the wrong way. Really, all they need is to be able to call and text until they are much, much older and more street-smart.

That's my 2 cents as a Generation Y mother, who grew up when all this technology was only newly available to the masses. I see older parents being much more lax with providing unfettered access to the internet and other technology that children just don't have the street smarts for yet.

I guess because I grew up seeing first hand the mistakes you can make, and made some myself, I am more aware of the pitfalls.

Bullying is probably my number one concern - once you have a smart phone it's not just a case of "so-and-so is really mean to me at lunch and on the bus", all of a sudden so-and-so can send facebook messages, and make snide comments online (which other children can join in on just by hitting "like") 24 hours a day, and make the victim feel very isolated very quickly. Because they don't see the face-to-face reactions and have to deal with that reaction, kids will be much crueller than they would if they were likely to make someone cry right in front of them, or if they were likely to get smacked in the face. It's an interesting dynamic. There are some horrible things occurring in the world as a direct result of people not seeing the hurt that they cause with their online vitriol.

The kid got one at twelve when she went to England and Europe with grandparents, at my insisting. By age 14 she was living with me. At 15 and four dead phones latter, I brought her first I phone. For her 15 birthday. She has killed four more phones since then, but after graduating year 12 she got a good job and has paid for her last three phones herself. She even brought a jeep!

I could talk about her all day as I am so proud off her. Too think so nearly failed year 8. And ended up with four of the highest marks at year twelve. With awards.

I give it the big thumbs up! Titus. In only a few years time. It will be almost impossible to do anything without a mobile phone. Even banking or paying for the groceries at the shop.