Mobile phones for children?
By Teddy
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
United Kingdom
January 12, 2019 7:04pm CST
Mobile cellphones are becoming ever more capable and relatively cheap versions can be had which are surprisingly sophisticated in what they can do. I know of children as young as 10 who have their own phone - under the supervision of their parents and within strict financial limits.
Is this a good thing? It gives children the freedom to communicate with their parents when they are not at home and can serve as a valuable tool in case or emergencies but I have also heard of children (well, teenagers) being mugged for their phone.
There is also the danger of inappropriate use of the phone to access sites which children shouldn't be visiting and it does leave the child open to bullying on social networks or by direct messages to their phone.
Is giving a child as young as 10 a mobile phone a good thing?
10 people like this
11 responses
@wolfgirl569 (95261)
• Marion, Ohio
13 Jan 19
I dont see where they need them and if they are going to have a phone it should be a dumb one.
3 people like this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 19
A cheap phone which only makes calls and sends text would be my preference too
@wolfgirl569 (95261)
• Marion, Ohio
13 Jan 19
@ThreeTeddies I dont think they even need the texts
1 person likes this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 19
@wolfgirl569 There are circumstances where a voice call won't connect but a text message (which is sent by a different method) will get through.
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
13 Jan 19
Well, not all 10 year olds are the same. My oldest daughter who was 10 when we got her a phone acts much more mature for her age than most. She used her phone for educational apps and to talk with friends. Since my children are home schooled I wanted to give them another way to communicate with others.
Just depends on the child I think and the family.
3 people like this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 19
@LovingMyBabies Our grand-daughter who is 9-years-old is allowed full use of all sorts of technology when she is at home. She Facetime's her friends on her iPad, sends emails (to me mostly!) and surfs the web. She has been given her mother's old smartphone but is not allowed to take any of this tech outside of the home. Both her parents are very tech-savvy and they have put various filters in place on her devices and they keep an eye on what she is doing. I agree that it depends on the child and the parents.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (73473)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Jan 19
Personally, I think it is a good and bad thing. If I had children today I would give them a regular mobile phone just for keeping in touch with. I would never give them a smartphone.
3 people like this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 19
Yep - I agree. Anything more sophisticated may make them a target for thieves.
2 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
13 Jan 19
This is a great topic. You made good points which I agree with.
No, I really don't think it's good for young kids to have smart phones! Besides, they'll have many years as teens and adults to be preoccupied with their phones. Let them enjoy the simpler things in life a while longer.
2 people like this
@BloggerDi (3113)
• United States
13 Jan 19
@ThreeTeddies I like the idea that others mentioned previously- that the kids can have phones without internet access.
As far as teaching them about smart technology- yes, it's important these days. But certainly they can use their parents' phones and use computers at home, with adult supervision.
1 person likes this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 19
@BloggerDi I take your point but surely an easy way to communicate with parents if necessary is a good thing? What about introducing children to modern technology - is it not a good idea to get them used to smart technology at an early age?
1 person likes this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
13 Jan 19
@BloggerDi This is what happens in our 9-year-old grand-daughter's house!
1 person likes this
@jeanena (2198)
• Bucklin, Kansas
13 Jan 19
sMy grand daughter who just turned 10 this month has had a phone of her own when she was 9 her dad just sent it off to be fix because of a broken screen .. Her dad accidentally broke it when He dropped it . I am looking for a phone for my 12 year old grandson so he will be able to get a hold of us when he is playing elsewhere . I personally believe it depends on the child. Coops last phone had internet only and he could call me on kids messenger on it anywhere internet was available. I would like to get him a phone that he can call us from anywhere.
1 person likes this
@youless (112123)
• Guangzhou, China
14 Jan 19
If it is a normal phone, then it will be fine as the children can use it to make a call when they have an emergent cases. The parents can contact them easily and they will feel relaxed. If it is a smartphone, then I don't really suggest it as it is easy for young children to be addicted to it.
1 person likes this
@youless (112123)
• Guangzhou, China
15 Jan 19
@ThreeTeddies In fact this is the biggest problem for children to play the phone all the time. Sometimes we also can't control ourselves well and it will be harder for young children.
1 person likes this
@ThreeTeddies (2038)
• United Kingdom
14 Jan 19
@youless Addiction is something I hadn't considered but you are right, it is a real danger
1 person likes this
@mayka123 (16584)
• India
13 Jan 19
I dont think it is a good idea of giving a small kid a mobile phone. At least in the city that I live mobile phones are robbed everyday so it is risky for children to be taking anything valuable with them when they are alone. They can use the phone when there are elders around to take care of them. As far as using it inappropriately then that depends on every child. Some kids are responsible enough to know whats right and what is wrong.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (129481)
• Israel
1 Feb 19
@ThreeTeddies
I am just stating my opinion here. I feel that kids are too young to have them. I see too many of them around and kids are not paying attention to what is going on around them because they are stuck to their phone and I am sure the bills are a lot and if the parents pay for them plus their own that is a lot. They need to pay attention to their surroundings and if they are not their phone all the time then how will they learn anything. That is just my opinion.
@WiseGhots (14607)
•
13 Jan 19
I don't think is a good thing. But, otherwise, we can't hide them for it.
1 person likes this
