Mobile phones and children

cuddlyewok · Mobile phones and children

Mobile telephones have only existed for twenty years. In the past decade they have become very widespread with almost every adult in developed countries now owning a small portable phone.
Modern phones can perform a wide variety of functions, such as taking and sending photographs and video, playing music and games, and even surfing the internet. Their main use, however, remains for voice calls and for texting short messages.
As prices of both phones and calls have come down in the past ten years or so, they have become much more affordable for young people.
This has raised questions about whether children should be able to own phones, and if they should be allowed to take them into school.
In some schools students can carry them as they like, as long as they are off during lessons. Other schools allow them to be carried, but they must never be turned on in school hours. Some ban them entirely.
Also, considering the rise in crime involving the theft of mobile phones, should children (under 14 years) be allowed to own a mobile phone, and if yes, take one to school?

Please give reasons for your comments, as this is a debate discussion, and I would prefer to have thoughtful answers. Thankyou.

Fizzy

I know this is an old topic but no one has answered it so I thought I would!

I got my first mobile phone when I was 14 I think, which is pretty late by today's standards. I've seen kids of the age of 8 and 9 who have them and in my opinion that's not right.

I personally think from about the age of 13 it's ok to have a mobile phone but it should only be a basic phone that makes calls and sends text messages - not expensive camera or video phones. I say basic phone because it is much less likely to be stolen and less of a problem if it gets broken, and also the child will be incapable of receiving inappropriate photos or video by having a simple phone. Young teenagers in the possession of video phones have also contributed greatly to the craze 'happy slapping' which seems to promote bullying.

As for taking phones into school, I see no problem with it whatsoever providing that the phone is switched off during school hours and it is kept in a secure place like your bag or a locker. Most teenage children travel to and from school alone without adults, so being able to call home to say you've missed the bus etc is very important.

Twitchamoo

from secondary school age onwards, they SHOULD have a mobile phone.

Amazing_swaps

Mobile phones are well amazing! I only use my when I am like far away from like my mum and dad then call them to let them know where I am! I don't use them much for my mates!

Fizzy

I only use mine as a phonebook and to text with, I rarely make calls and probably only use about £5 a month sometimes less.

MCR Rule

I use mine for family and some times mates i have a Z310i i take that to school and i am 15

Fizzy

When I was at school I don't think I actually brought my phone in, maybe in Year 11 onwards but rarely before that.

Hayley

I Had My First Phone When I Was About 11, In Year 6.

It was Only One i Could Play The Games On And That Thgough So It Didn't Have Credit On Or Anything. I Needed A Phone When I Went To Secondry School Becasuse When You Are Walking Back From School I Suspose It's A Good Idea To Have One, So Really I Actually Needed It. I Think Now Phones Are More About Like Having The Latest Style And Everything.. Which i am Guilty of Following.

I Think From Around The Age of 11-12 You Should Be Able To Have Phones, What Do Kids Much Younger Need Them For Anyway?

xx

Reaper

I own a mobile, and I believe it is ok, as long as you are not allowed bluetooth or wap until your 18 or something.
About school, e have to lug around our stuff all day, so it can't get stolen, but e always have peoples phones going off in class.

Peew4K

It's up to the parent I suppose, lol I know someone who is 7 years old and owns a new phone! I own a samsung E900

humandalek91

It is riddiculous the number of kids under 11 that have mobile phones. I got my first one in year 6. I think it is the responsibility of the owner of the mobile phone whether they take it into school or not - i believe very expensive phones shouldn't. I think all children from year 6 or 7 onwards should be able to have a mobile phone and not before

oj-the-man

Please don't bump topics older than 15 days; this discussion ended several months ago.