Parents have been sharing the age they think youngsters should have mobile phones.
As with many issues in the world of parenting, the age that mums and dads think is the right one for kids to have their own phone is a divisive one.
The discussion was sparked by singer Charlotte Church's refusal to let her 14-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son have one.
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In an interview on Kate Garraway's Life Stories, she said: "I'm quite stuck in the mud about my kids having a phone. They're like 'come on we're teenagers now, everybody's got a phone'. That's something I'm pretty immovable on."
After the presenter suggested her actions were 'quite controlling', she replied: "It's not controlling. My viewpoint, and it's not just my viewpoint, it's where all the science is leading to, tech addition, addiction to your smart phone even from a physical point.
"They've got a phone at their dad's, so they do have access to that world, but young people need to have some headspace to be bored some of the time as well."
We asked parents on our Manchester Family Facebook page about the issue and were inundated with comments.
Many said they gave their child a phone in Year 6 or 7 when they started walking to school alone, including Nicola Croft, who said: "My children had them in year 6 when they started walking home from school on their own in case anything happened they could ring me or if in danger the police."
And Louise Watson, who said: "When my kids started high school they had a phone. They suddenly have this new found independence and in this day and age it is important they can be contactable and be able to contact.
"I grew up in the 80/90s and my parents didn't have to worry about half of what we do. I asked my mum recently if she would want to raise kids now instead of then and she said a very firm NO."
Others suggested it's not safe for youngsters not to have a phone.
"Is she mad!" said Marie-Paul Lopo. "How will she contact them when they go to school or go out with friends!!! Have you seen the world we are living in?"
And Emma Burns, who added: "What happens if there is an emergency and they are in trouble... especially what today is like. Really irresponsible!"
Some said that while using phones is mostly banned in school, at other times pupils are asked to get them out to use them for their work - something that proved controversial in itself.
What age did/would you let your child have a mobile phone? Have you encountered any problems from them having one? Do you agree with Charlotte? Let us know your views in the comments here.
"My kids school you can't use your phone, it gets confiscated if you're found with your phone out. But then certain classes you have to get the phone out and use it," said Joanne Webb.
"It is madness that they make such a song and dance about NO Mobiles but then you have to have one for certain classes."
"My son certainly won't be using a phone in a lesson I would be furious," said Zoe Derrick. "There are devices called calculators, laptops, even spell check devices ABSOLUTELY no reason to be used in a lesson IMO."
Other parents told us their children had used an old phone from a younger age, but mostly to play games, or to have some contact with people during lockdown.
"My eldest 2 were Yr 7 but my youngest got one at 9," said Helen Loynd.
"It was primarily just going to be to stop him using my phone to play games, but his birthday fell on the day we went into first lockdown and it proved invaluable for him. Keeping in touch with his friends.
"He is now nearly 11 and Yr 6. He doesn't take it to school or have Facebook or Tik Tok on it, but he does use it to WhatsApp his friends and cousins. It is supervised though."
However, some parents are firmly on Charlotte's side, saying they agree there is no need for youngsters to have one, or at least not until the later years of high school.
"Aged 14 so end of year 10," said Saima Hanif. "This was with both my children. On a school day can have it after school until 9pm then I turn off and put away. Weekends until 10pm. Not allowed phones in school and doesn't need to take one as he gets dropped off and picked up.
"During school holidays/going out with friends have it during the day. I think the longer you can get away with giving them a phone the better but that's my personal opinion."
