This is a pretty old device by todays standards, but worth mentioning that it could well have a place in your home, or at least your kids pocket. My two wanted mobile phones when they were as young as five years old. They had seen Daddy using his, listening to music, clicking buttons, you know how it is. The hard decision for parents is at what age does your child need a mobile phone. To re-phrase that, at what age is it safe to give them a mobile phone?

Giving one too early could be dangerous... they could use up all the credit too quickly, or even worse, be knocked on the head by some bully who wants the phone.

The Palm Z22 is very cheap now. For around the £20 to £30 mark you can pick up this little device. It has a nicely lit colour touch screen. You can install little applications on it, view photos, store contact details, even play music and little games. In my opinion it is a nice introduction to organisational skills for your youngster. They can enter calendar reminders, important phone numbers etc. It also allows them to feel important and to develop technology skills. And, if they need to call you, they can look up your phone number and give it to the adult supervising them, for example whilst at an after-school club or party.

All this functionality and fun for £20... can't be bad.