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Most pupils in survey own mobiles by 12 · Youngsters value phones for privacy from parents · Constant communication aids discreet dating Rebecca Smithers, consumer affairs correspondentTuesday September 19, 2006The Guardian

The vast majority - 91% - of 12-year-olds now own a mobile phone, according to research published today. The survey also reveals a sharp increase in ownership as youngsters move to secondary school. More than half (51%) of 10-year olds have one of the of gadgets, yet the issue of ownership appears to divide public opinion; just a third of adults feel children should have a mobile phone by the age of 11, while more than half of parents believe ownership at 11 is acceptable.

The Mobile Life Youth Report is the second from a forum set up by The Carphone Warehouse with the London School of Economics. Polling organisation YouGov surveyed more than 1,250 young people aged 11 to 17 who own mobile phones.
It reveals that mobile phone ownership rises sharply as children prepare to leave primary school - up from 24% of nine-year olds to 51% of 10-year-olds. By the time they are at secondary school at the age of 12, 91% of youngsters have a mobile phone. The survey confirms that young people would rather text than call by a significant margin. The 11 to 17-year-old age group sends or receives an average of 9.6 texts a day and makes or receives 3.5 calls a day. In contrast, adults make or receive 2.8 calls and send 3.6 texts a day.
But the youngsters demand their privacy, and reveal that their mobile phone is as private to them as the written diaries of their parents at a similar age. Two-thirds of 15 to 17-year-olds and almost half of 11 of 14-year-olds say they would not allow their parents to look through their text messages and pictures on their mobile phones.

Mobile phones also give many children a chance to escape the attentions of parents. One in three say they talk regularly and/or send texts to people they do not want their parents to know about, while a similar number admit that they "sometimes dodge calls from my parents". The need "to belong" is emerging as the most powerful need of all - 42% of 15 to 17-year-old girls admit they would "feel unwanted if a whole day went by when my mobile phone did not ring".
Mobile phones have revolutionised teenage dating, because texting allows contact to be made with minimum risk and maximum discretion. A quarter of 11 to 17-year-olds have received a text inviting them on a date, while 16 to 17-year-olds are almost twice as likely to have received a text inviting them on a date than adults aged 25 and over.

Charles Dunstone, chief executive of The Carphone Warehouse Group, said: "The mobile phone has become the most important electronic device for young people in the UK today, with 91% of children having a mobile phone by the time they go to secondary school at 12. It provides them with a social network, a sense of security and access to entertainment. But most importantly it provides them with a sense of belonging to their peer group."
Dr Pat Spungin, founder of the parenting website raisingkids.co.uk said: "Some people think mobile phones are like earrings and are unnecessary and inappropriate for people below a certain age. However, most parents disagree as the mobile phone offers new ways for young people to connect that many adults wish they had enjoyed as teenagers."

http://media.guardian.co.uk/newmedia/story/0,,1875865,00.html

My view....
My view on this issue would be that it is right for young children nowadays to own a mobile phone. Even though there is a risk of them being attacked in some way, there is also a advantage as they can use it for security. I think it is a good way for children to interact with others, as they can get used to using a device like this. it is also good for security reasons as children may need them for emergencies. I agree with the view from Charles Dunstone. (chief executive from carphone warehouse!)