Mobile phones

What do parents think is the right age for a child to have a mobile phone? What do they consider? Find out here...

When most of us were children mobile phones didn’t even exist, so it can feel quite alien to us when our children feel the need to have one. The ever growing market has tapped into the technology-thirsty young generation and there are even mobile phones for four year olds! So when you start to get pestered for the latest all singing all dancing mobile phone, what pros and cons should you consider and what do other parents think is the ‘right’ age to say yes?

What parents considered when their child asked for a mobile phone…

• What would it cost them, not only for the first pay out but all the credit too?



• What would their children use it for?



• Would it be a distraction – were their children trying to be too grown-up? Would they be on their phone constantly which would cause arguments at meals or bedtime or when they were supposed to be doing their homework?



• Many separated parents could see the positives of keeping in touch through the mobile phone, whether it was the non-resident parent who could send texts or call the child directly, or the resident parent who felt reassured that their child could keep in touch during contact if they needed to.
  Some parents liked the idea their child had a safety net and could get in touch easily if they didn’t feel safe at times such as walking home from school or on the school bus.



• Some parents worried that this could be another way the bullies could get to their child, but that mobiles could make their child feel more safe knowing they could phone a parent or adult if they didn’t feel safe.



• Some parents didn’t want their children to feel left out if all their friends had phones and they were the only one who didn’t.

Saying no

• If you have decided you won’t get your child a mobile for whatever reason e.g. your child is too young or you can’t afford one, visit our A-Z topic on how to manage pester power.

Saying yes with conditions

• Ban the mobile phone in the bedroom at night. Research shows us that children or adults do not sleep as soundly if the mobile is sitting by the bed as we are always listening out for that text or phone ring – which makes us tired and less able to concentrate.



• Ban the mobile phone at other times such as meal times, or when they are supposed to be doing their homework. The phone has to be switched off or put in another room. This will save arguments and nagging at a later date if the rules are set beforehand.



• Most schools ban mobile phones in the classroom and will confiscate them if found. Make sure your child is aware of the rules and the consequences.



• Before you go out to buy the phone set a price and what you are willing to pay for credit each week/month so that you help to manage their expectations and they won’t come pestering you for more credit if they use it all up in a short space of time. Don’t get trapped into paying out lots more as your child plays the old, ‘I need more credit in case of an emergency’ line!



• Be clear with your child that if they lend their phone to a friend, give it away or swap it you won’t replace it so they understand the phone is their responsibility.

• 26% said under 10 years.


• The majority of 47% said 11-13 years old.


• 27% said 14 years and over.

• Ear piercing


• Pocket money


• Sleepovers


• Independence