Mobile Phone for Kids - Opinion

Hello Skunks, I'd like to seek your opinion here, and lo! I am already mentally prepared for what might come my way:) My daughter, 7 years old, wants a mobile phone. I am thinking I should accept her request and provide one. Which phone it is is my current dilemma, but besides that I'd like to know from you if this is a good idea at all. And why it is not. My justification: 1. I am tired of fighting with her over my phones. These kids find their way into games on any phone. Not sure how they find them when I, the owner, have never gone for them. 2. She already knows how to call people - has their numbers in her hear (well, she has mine, her mums, her grandma's and grandpa's, not sure who else) 3. She says she wants to play games and to be able to call her parents whenever they are not near... I have her already running Qimo 4 Kids Linux on a small NoteBook, which has enough *games* and learning material, which I do believe is good enough computer for her. While I am at that point of "what the hell does she still want a phone for", I am still thinking it's right to just get her one. Does anyone have a compelling reason for or against me getting her a phone? If I have to get her a phone, which phone do you guys recommend for such a kid? -- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. Please consider the environment before printing this email.

I have a friend with a 6 year old and she has a phone. I think it is a wise idea to give children phones, but they must be phones that you can control and monitor and let her know that you will monitor it. I personally think a phone with a GPS and an app where you can find their exact location (iPhone's Find My Friend app for instance) is a plus! My 2 cents ./Ok3ch Sent from my iPad On Feb 6, 2012, at 5:57 PM, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Skunks,
I'd like to seek your opinion here, and lo! I am already mentally prepared for what might come my way:) My daughter, 7 years old, wants a mobile phone. I am thinking I should accept her request and provide one. Which phone it is is my current dilemma, but besides that I'd like to know from you if this is a good idea at all. And why it is not. My justification:
1. I am tired of fighting with her over my phones. These kids find their way into games on any phone. Not sure how they find them when I, the owner, have never gone for them. 2. She already knows how to call people - has their numbers in her hear (well, she has mine, her mums, her grandma's and grandpa's, not sure who else) 3. She says she wants to play games and to be able to call her parents whenever they are not near...
I have her already running Qimo 4 Kids Linux on a small NoteBook, which has enough games and learning material, which I do believe is good enough computer for her. While I am at that point of "what the hell does she still want a phone for", I am still thinking it's right to just get her one.
Does anyone have a compelling reason for or against me getting her a phone?
If I have to get her a phone, which phone do you guys recommend for such a kid?
-- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. <image001.png>Please consider the environment before printing this email.
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Both my kids (7 and 13) have cheap and simple mobile phones in additional to their laptops. That is so I can reach them anytime, anywhere. Just sayin' ;) On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 12:12 PM, Okechukwu <okechukwu@gmail.com> wrote:
I have a friend with a 6 year old and she has a phone. I think it is a wise idea to give children phones, but they must be phones that you can control and monitor and let her know that you will monitor it. I personally think a phone with a GPS and an app where you can find their exact location (iPhone's Find My Friend app for instance) is a plus!
My 2 cents ./Ok3ch
Sent from my iPad
On Feb 6, 2012, at 5:57 PM, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Skunks,
I'd like to seek your opinion here, and lo! I am already mentally prepared for what might come my way:) My daughter, 7 years old, wants a mobile phone. I am thinking I should accept her request and provide one. Which phone it is is my current dilemma, but besides that I'd like to know from you if this is a good idea at all. And why it is not. My justification:
1. I am tired of fighting with her over my phones. These kids find their way into games on any phone. Not sure how they find them when I, the owner, have never gone for them. 2. She already knows how to call people - has their numbers in her hear (well, she has mine, her mums, her grandma's and grandpa's, not sure who else) 3. She says she wants to play games and to be able to call her parents whenever they are not near...
I have her already running Qimo 4 Kids Linux on a small NoteBook, which has enough *games* and learning material, which I do believe is good enough computer for her. While I am at that point of "what the hell does she still want a phone for", I am still thinking it's right to just get her one.
Does anyone have a compelling reason for or against me getting her a phone?
If I have to get her a phone, which phone do you guys recommend for such a kid?
-- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. <image001.png>Please consider the environment before printing this email.
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-- Crystal Watley Kigoni Africa Liaison Voices of Africa Foundation crystal@voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/ Facebook page: Voices of Africa <https://www.facebook.com/VOA4SD> Facebook group: Voices of Africa<http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_103722386364001&ap=1#%21/group.php?gid=139035902779599> Facebook cause: Voices of Africa<http://www.causes.com/causes/102634-voices-of-africa-for-sustainable-development?recruiter_id=16731206> Twitter: VOA4SD Skype: crystal.naliaka YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/CrystalKigoni LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=20585778&trk=tab_pro> "You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi

One that has games and can support educational apps (if they exist). Just be keen to offer parental guidance..... On 2/6/12, Crystal Watley Kigoni <crystal@voicesofafrica.org> wrote:
Both my kids (7 and 13) have cheap and simple mobile phones in additional to their laptops. That is so I can reach them anytime, anywhere. Just sayin' ;)
On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 12:12 PM, Okechukwu <okechukwu@gmail.com> wrote:
I have a friend with a 6 year old and she has a phone. I think it is a wise idea to give children phones, but they must be phones that you can control and monitor and let her know that you will monitor it. I personally think a phone with a GPS and an app where you can find their exact location (iPhone's Find My Friend app for instance) is a plus!
My 2 cents ./Ok3ch
Sent from my iPad
On Feb 6, 2012, at 5:57 PM, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello Skunks,
I'd like to seek your opinion here, and lo! I am already mentally prepared for what might come my way:) My daughter, 7 years old, wants a mobile phone. I am thinking I should accept her request and provide one. Which phone it is is my current dilemma, but besides that I'd like to know from you if this is a good idea at all. And why it is not. My justification:
1. I am tired of fighting with her over my phones. These kids find their way into games on any phone. Not sure how they find them when I, the owner, have never gone for them. 2. She already knows how to call people - has their numbers in her hear (well, she has mine, her mums, her grandma's and grandpa's, not sure who else) 3. She says she wants to play games and to be able to call her parents whenever they are not near...
I have her already running Qimo 4 Kids Linux on a small NoteBook, which has enough *games* and learning material, which I do believe is good enough computer for her. While I am at that point of "what the hell does she still want a phone for", I am still thinking it's right to just get her one.
Does anyone have a compelling reason for or against me getting her a phone?
If I have to get her a phone, which phone do you guys recommend for such a kid?
-- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. <image001.png>Please consider the environment before printing this email.
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
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_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Crystal Watley Kigoni Africa Liaison Voices of Africa Foundation crystal@voicesofafrica.org http://www.voicesofafrica.org/
Facebook page: Voices of Africa <https://www.facebook.com/VOA4SD> Facebook group: Voices of Africa<http://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_103722386364001&ap=1#%21/group.php?gid=139035902779599> Facebook cause: Voices of Africa<http://www.causes.com/causes/102634-voices-of-africa-for-sustainable-development?recruiter_id=16731206> Twitter: VOA4SD Skype: crystal.naliaka YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/CrystalKigoni LinkedIn <http://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=20585778&trk=tab_pro>
"You must be the change you wish to see" - Gandhi

Think ahead. What do you think it will be like when she is a teenager and has a phone? On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 5:57 PM, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo@gmail.com>wrote:
Hello Skunks,
I'd like to seek your opinion here, and lo! I am already mentally prepared for what might come my way:) My daughter, 7 years old, wants a mobile phone. I am thinking I should accept her request and provide one. Which phone it is is my current dilemma, but besides that I'd like to know from you if this is a good idea at all. And why it is not. My justification:
1. I am tired of fighting with her over my phones. These kids find their way into games on any phone. Not sure how they find them when I, the owner, have never gone for them. 2. She already knows how to call people - has their numbers in her hear (well, she has mine, her mums, her grandma's and grandpa's, not sure who else) 3. She says she wants to play games and to be able to call her parents whenever they are not near...
I have her already running Qimo 4 Kids Linux on a small NoteBook, which has enough *games* and learning material, which I do believe is good enough computer for her. While I am at that point of "what the hell does she still want a phone for", I am still thinking it's right to just get her one.
Does anyone have a compelling reason for or against me getting her a phone?
If I have to get her a phone, which phone do you guys recommend for such a kid?
-- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. Please consider the environment before printing this email.
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Regards, Mutua Nicholas *He owns, I manage.*

I made a deal with my kids (3 of them) that they would only get phones when they got to 9 years old. My daughter turned 9 in 2010 so I kept my promise and got her the phone. A small, cute (pink) Nokia "slider" that cost about 4k. She loved it - calls her mum, myself, grandparents, aunts and one or two of her best friends when she has airtime. We have made certain rules, through - she only uses the phone over the weekend and on holidays as they are not allowed phones in school and we are with her at all other times. She also has a small netbook, which surprisingly she uses more for writing short stories and downloading cooking recipes from the internet. (She cooked us a fabulous banana cake on Sunday). Which we encourage. Her brothers will occasionally whine about their lack of a phone but we remind them about the minimum qualification. 2nd born turns 9 this year so he gets it. 3 born still has a 4 year wait. To keep them happy I promised them a Gameboy at age 7. I have also bought them a cheap, chinese android tablet on which I've loaded a bunch of games and they love it! We have agreed that I will start teaching "how computers work" i.e. simple coding and under the hood stuff over the holidays... hope I don't rear a bunch of script kiddies!!! Mblayo On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 5:57 PM, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo@gmail.com>wrote:
Hello Skunks,
I'd like to seek your opinion here, and lo! I am already mentally prepared for what might come my way:) My daughter, 7 years old, wants a mobile phone. I am thinking I should accept her request and provide one. Which phone it is is my current dilemma, but besides that I'd like to know from you if this is a good idea at all. And why it is not. My justification:
1. I am tired of fighting with her over my phones. These kids find their way into games on any phone. Not sure how they find them when I, the owner, have never gone for them. 2. She already knows how to call people - has their numbers in her hear (well, she has mine, her mums, her grandma's and grandpa's, not sure who else) 3. She says she wants to play games and to be able to call her parents whenever they are not near...
I have her already running Qimo 4 Kids Linux on a small NoteBook, which has enough *games* and learning material, which I do believe is good enough computer for her. While I am at that point of "what the hell does she still want a phone for", I am still thinking it's right to just get her one.
Does anyone have a compelling reason for or against me getting her a phone?
If I have to get her a phone, which phone do you guys recommend for such a kid?
-- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. Please consider the environment before printing this email.
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe@gmail.com cell: +254715964281 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com

Heeheheh ... Wish I was a Kid again :-) at this time and Age would not be climbing trees and fabricating wire and mabati cars ... I believe kids should be introduced to technology early enough expose them while young, they will learn alot since their brains is growing, my family friend bought the kids phones at very young age by age 8 the son had a phone and a laptop. Last year he turned 13 so they went on a school trip to dubai, well ok, guess what the kid bought on that trip ... an Ipad 2 :-) On 7 February 2012 10:05, Brian Munyao Longwe <blongwe@gmail.com> wrote:
I made a deal with my kids (3 of them) that they would only get phones when they got to 9 years old. My daughter turned 9 in 2010 so I kept my promise and got her the phone. A small, cute (pink) Nokia "slider" that cost about 4k. She loved it - calls her mum, myself, grandparents, aunts and one or two of her best friends when she has airtime.
We have made certain rules, through - she only uses the phone over the weekend and on holidays as they are not allowed phones in school and we are with her at all other times.
She also has a small netbook, which surprisingly she uses more for writing short stories and downloading cooking recipes from the internet. (She cooked us a fabulous banana cake on Sunday). Which we encourage.
Her brothers will occasionally whine about their lack of a phone but we remind them about the minimum qualification. 2nd born turns 9 this year so he gets it. 3 born still has a 4 year wait.
To keep them happy I promised them a Gameboy at age 7.
I have also bought them a cheap, chinese android tablet on which I've loaded a bunch of games and they love it!
We have agreed that I will start teaching "how computers work" i.e. simple coding and under the hood stuff over the holidays... hope I don't rear a bunch of script kiddies!!!
Mblayo
On Mon, Feb 6, 2012 at 5:57 PM, Odhiambo Washington <odhiambo@gmail.com>wrote:
Hello Skunks,
I'd like to seek your opinion here, and lo! I am already mentally prepared for what might come my way:) My daughter, 7 years old, wants a mobile phone. I am thinking I should accept her request and provide one. Which phone it is is my current dilemma, but besides that I'd like to know from you if this is a good idea at all. And why it is not. My justification:
1. I am tired of fighting with her over my phones. These kids find their way into games on any phone. Not sure how they find them when I, the owner, have never gone for them. 2. She already knows how to call people - has their numbers in her hear (well, she has mine, her mums, her grandma's and grandpa's, not sure who else) 3. She says she wants to play games and to be able to call her parents whenever they are not near...
I have her already running Qimo 4 Kids Linux on a small NoteBook, which has enough *games* and learning material, which I do believe is good enough computer for her. While I am at that point of "what the hell does she still want a phone for", I am still thinking it's right to just get her one.
Does anyone have a compelling reason for or against me getting her a phone?
If I have to get her a phone, which phone do you guys recommend for such a kid?
-- Best regards, Odhiambo WASHINGTON, Nairobi,KE +254733744121/+254722743223 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ I can't hear you -- I'm using the scrambler. Please consider the environment before printing this email.
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
Skunkworks Rules http://my.co.ke/phpbb/viewtopic.php?f=24&t=94 ------------ Other services @ http://my.co.ke
-- Brian Munyao Longwe e-mail: blongwe@gmail.com cell: +254715964281 blog : http://zinjlog.blogspot.com meta-blog: http://mashilingi.blogspot.com
_______________________________________________ Skunkworks mailing list Skunkworks@lists.my.co.ke ------------ List info, subscribe/unsubscribe http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/skunkworks ------------
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-- Watson Kambo
participants (7)
-
Brian Munyao Longwe
-
Crystal Watley Kigoni
-
John Doe
-
Nicholas Mutinda
-
Odhiambo Washington
-
Okechukwu
-
Watson Kambo