Dial M for mobile: Helping kids navigate their first phone

As a cellphone ban comes into force this term for school kids, Nine to Noon looks at the issue of when to get a phone for your child. While many - if not most - of us had a phone-free childhood, the pressure for children to get their own phones is creeping lower and lower. Many parents will opt for Year 7 and 8 - the intermediate school years - as a time when a phone can help kids navigate a little independence with the peace of mind being able to contact them can bring. Joining Kathryn to talk about this is Ellie Gwilliam is a content editor and presenter for the Parenting Place.As a cellphone ban comes into force this term for school kids, Nine to Noon looks at the issue of when to get a phone for your child. While many - if not most - of us had a phone-free childhood, the pressure for children to get their own phones is creeping lower and lower.Many parents will opt for Year 7 and 8 - the intermediate school years - as a time when a phone can help kids navigate a little independence with the peace of mind being able to contact them can bring. Joining Kathryn to talk about this is Ellie Gwilliam is a content editor and presenter for the Parenting Place. When should kids get their first phone? And what boundaries need to go with it?Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details