At what age do kids 'chat' on the phone?

[poppiesinaline]

My DS1 has come home from school today saying that his friend X has asked my ds to ring him. I asked why and DS said 'oh just for a chat'. 'You have seen him all day at school" to which he replied 'Yes, but we can't chat!"

I said that if friend X wanted to chat with him then friend X can ring him.

First time he has ever asked to use the phone. He is just 9 years. I didn't think all this started until they were teenagers! I don't even let my kids answer the phone.

[joanna4]

Nope my dd has just started this with her friends they are all 9 -sorry! I dont get it what on earth can be so urgent it cannot wait overnight-my mum thinks its hilarious keeps saying what goes around comes around I cannot think what she means!

[poppiesinaline]

oh no really!! oh yikes!

[Spidermama]

My seven year old dd has taken to doing this. At first I thought how cute it was and how great for her confidence. Now I realise my mistake.

Hold off as long as possible I say. Preferably until they can contribute to the phone bill.

[nutcracker]

My dd1 who is 8 has just started doing this.

Her friend rings at 5.30 most evenings and they chat about what went on at school etc.

It's hilarious.

[poppiesinaline]

I am! I had no idea! I think I will try and delay this as much as I can. 7 and 8! I think Im lucky that Ive got to as late as 9 then!!!!

[Troutpout]

Lol! Can you still lock your phone somehow? In the 70's my parents used to put a wierd little lock thing on the dial of the phone to stop us (7)kids using it. Didn't work...we used to do fast hit on the buttons under the reciever to make a call

[joanna4]

oh yeah we had a lock i learnt to pick it in less than an hour!

[veuveclicquot]

LOL! I got through my parents lock too. Fools!

[katyrocks]

as i remember my dd was about 3 {wink} its all about them being confident, independent, sociable beings. don't knock it.... till the phone bill comes in.

[katyrocks]

hey how come my didn't show up?

[wannaBe1974]

my DS is 3 and answers the phone. I remember calling friends when I was about 7 I think.

As for locking the phone - you can get your phone company to put a bar on your phone, so you'll have to enter a pin to bar and unbar it - not able to use the buttons under the receiver then

I remember we used to do that as well when we were kids and you could also do it with call boxes and not have to pay, lol, those were the days.

Course now it's not uncommon for 9-year-olds to have mobile phones of their own - my DS can think again if he ever thinks he'll be getting one of those!