I think I'm finally going to have to break down and get a phone for my kids to share. This soccer season looks like we're going to have a lot of dropping off and carpooling, so we'll need it for whichever kid isn't with me.
I'm thinking it might be cheaper to just add a line to my AT&T than to get a pay as you go phone. I can also do the parental controls through AT&T which I like.
So, if your kids have a phone can you recommend it? What do you like about it? I've looked at firefly but it doesn't allow text and I know I'll need that. I really just want an easy to use phone with text capability, preferably one that is rugged. Any recommendations?
Thanks everyone. I definitely don't want an iphone for them, totally overkill. I think we're going to go with Kajeet, I like the parental controls and to get the same thing with AT&T would be more; Kajeet is $15/mo for unlimited text & 60 min talk plus I can block both incoming and outgoing numbers for calls & text, GPS locator is only $8 more a month and no contracts. I do need text so if I need to send a quick message I can - it's not feasible for them to check voicemail during a water break but they can check text in that amount of time.
I added a line to my AT&T account which is $9.95 a month. I looked into the pay as you go, but the minimum for that is $15.00 a month. My son is 8 and is NOT texting, although the phone does have a limited text plan. Plus, he is not carrying it around with him everywhere. This is strictly a phone for when we need it.
-L.
When my son was finally old enough and mature enough to have a phone, I put him under my plan on AT&T with serious restrictions. I have unlimited text messaging which is great. Before I got him his phone, his uncle got him a firefly before he was ready for it and then upgraded to another phone. My lovely son downloaded "free games" which were only free for a certain time period then they had to be paid for. He also managed to get onto the internet but didn't have an internet plan which again was more money shell out. Within 3 months his uncle had to take the phone from him because of the three months of bills over $300.00.
Long story short, gift your kids the phone of your choice. Reward their disciplined use of the phone with less restrictions and put more restrictions on the phone if they are out of control until they become 16. At 16 it is a whole new ball game, they must pay for half of their phone costs. This teaches responsibility and you get to see how mature they are or are not.
Any phone will do but remember internet access costs more and on AT&T you will not be able to restrict incoming calls just outgoing. I hope this helps.
Yes they offer a deal on the iPhone but the internet access will cost you $30.00 plus the $9.99 a month for each additional line and you will be hard pressed to restrict their internet access. Not the choice I would make for my kids and their first phone. FYI two of my sons have had their phones stolen and they break too so get the insurance for the phone. It is helpful since any of the phones you will get will run you more than the $50.00 replacement costs through the insurance.
My daughter has a pre pay phone through At&T, for us it was cheaper than adding another line. I blocked texting, kids do/ say a lot of things via texting so just be mindful of that. Not saying that yours will, but it's a possibility. As for rugged, they do make a phone that is supposed to be indestructable(SP) a co-worker had one. She was able to throw it against a wall and it was fine. It was kinda chunky, ugly, heavy and expensive- a few hundred dollars. I'm not sure where she purchased it from though, sorry. They may know at the store what I'm talking about. They also make cases that help some. Good Luck
Straight talk at walmart. $45 a month, unlimited EVERYTHING and no contract. Decent phones, touch screeen, full keyboard. This is what our kids have.
iPhone 3gs is $1 right now
Rockin parental controls
$10 a month for the added line
I have AT&T.
You can add a line for $9.99 per month.
The phone? Get whatever is free.
LBC
We all carry the IPhone in my family. My17 yr old daughter is on my plan with me.
I don't have parental controls set up. We have unlimited data, texting, and minimal minutes usage because we mostly text. My monthly bill is a little over $200
Hubby has his IPhone set up with unlimited data, texts, and higher minutes usage because he is the one out on the road selling and his bill is about $135 a month.
We don't use the otterbox because we don't like the bulkyness of them. I hava a SPECK cover that works well.
It's a "life line" not an "internet toy" I'd go with the AT&T Family Talk at $9.99. Nokia phones have been EXCELLENT, we all had them for years.
I spoiled my step kids with cell phones with text, internet, and satellite, DSL, Gameboys, Playstations etc.. and I am paying for it now. They are 22 and 25, still live at home and have a sense of Entitlement. I SPOILED them. They have no drive because everything was given to them, they didn't have to work for it. Oh wait this isn't all about me is it??
Just stick to the basics, they don't need an iphone...
Sigh........
I can't recommend a specific phone but I do have an iphone and my kids play games on it (they are 4 and 5). I have an OtterBox and it s pretty indestructible. I think they make them for other phones too???
