What age for phone calls from friends?

[Clare]

What age do you think it's okay for kids to start having phone conversations with their friends?

Emily is 6 and for the past few months has been getting phone calls from various girls at school. She hasn't made any calls yet, she's always the receipient. One particular friend calls her nearly every day after school and several times on the weekend.

I don't know how I feel about this. One part of me thinks it's harmless, another thinks it's way too early for all this! :dunno:

[TtownAnne]

Hmmmmm. I would guess I don't see a problem with it, as long as she's not spending hours a day on the phone. However, that one friend that is being particularly pesty I think I'd have to start saying "oh sorry, Emily's not home right now, I'll let her know you called!"

[Jayne]

Tylor is 11 and this past year was the first year for this (age 10.5-11) For the most part he is still the one receiving the calls but sometimes he will ask to call someone. We only allow 15 minute phone calls for now and they have to be in the main part of the house. He isn't having private calls in his bedroom or something. I know he is young and a boy and I shouldn't need to worry but we are setting things up now.

I am not sure at what age is to young or the right age and I know Girls are different then boys. I can't think though that I would have my child calling friends when he or she was 6 :dunno:

[Dennis]

I don't see a problem with it as long as it's not overdone. Calling every day seems a bit much.

[Bonnie]

I seem to remember being in about the 3rd grade when I started doing much in the way of phone calls... but kids may just grow up faster now... 6 does seem a bit young.

[Clare]

Hmmmmm. I would guess I don't see a problem with it, as long as she's not spending hours a day on the phone.

One Sunday I was out and when I got home she was on the phone. I asked Alex how long she'd been on there and he said 1.5hrs!! I cut that call off straight away. And all they talk about is what they're wearing, what's on tv etc :lol:

It doesn't bother me too much, unless it starts to become intrusive. I was not impressed the morning when one of her friends called at 5.30am :noqueno:

[LISA]

5:30 am! oh no no no :noqueno: I would not be impressed either..
I think with Cass the phone calls started when she was 8-9 but I told her she couldn't be on the phone for hours and only after her homework was done. I would go over some ground rules with Emily and she can let her friends know :)