What age for a mobile phone?

I had this debate with Mike before Christmas, we were both unsure about getting Harmony (11yrs) a mobile for Christmas. She would have had one in the summer in preperation for Secondary anyway so we went for it.. She is on contract and has a lovely little phone to use the internet and text her friends.

I feel more secure knowing she will be able to contact us when she goes anywhere now.

Jas is 9 and just got one for xmas. We'd always said no , no way until she was 11 , just before going to secondary school , but now we live in our house and she has friends here there and everywhere , clubs , bike riding , sleepovers etc we decided WE wanted her to have one for security and peace of mind. She was absolutely thrilled when she opened it xmas day , it was her last pressie , even more so as she was totally NOT expecting it!

I dont think 12 is unreasonable wherever you live