With the many different cell phone types, data plans and mobile carrier companies to choose from, getting cell phones for the whole family doesn’t have to be a complicated process these days. But a common question is, how old is old enough to get a phone?
The Magic Number: 10
I have three children, my youngest is eleven. At about eight-years-old he started asking (aka begging) to get his own cell phone. My first instinct was to tell him no way, you’re too young. It was about a year or so later that I caved and bought him his own cell phone. The thing is, to be honest, when I did finally make the decision to get him his own phone it was more about me and less about him. It makes keeping in contact with him throughout the day that much easier on me.
Trying to explain his new phone to him was comical for me, not him. Within minutes he knew how to navigate his shiny new phone and he was out the door. That is, until he wanted to know “what is a data plan?” He further explained that his friends at school said he needed this and he needed that and they said he couldn’t get that but should get this… You know how the story goes, friends are always more wise than parents.
Naturally I had more decisions to make and he had more points to make. Nothing gets past these kids today. But I kept it simple. Again, this was more about me and less about him and a major factor for me was keeping my bill down.
Data Plans – What you do and don’t want
While I did want him to be able to send text messages to me, friends and family members I didn’t feel he needed access to the Internet; particularly unsupervised access. Thankfully I was able to do both. I added a new line to my existing family plan and with that he automatically got the unlimited texting and whenever minutes but I didn’t have to add Internet. I consider it a win for both of us, but surely you know he wasn’t too thrilled.
Each mobile carrier has different options as you might expect. I happen to be with T-Mobile and one of my favorite options is the “Family Allowances” service they offer for a minimal fee. The service allows me to pick blocks of time that the phone won’t work – although even during that time he can use it to contact approved numbers. It also allows me to assign him a certain amount of monthly minutes so that I don’t find a surprise waiting for me on the next bill. As well as blocking numbers, and controlling his downloads and messaging.
As an aside, it’s important to note that the type of cell phone you pick can dictate whether or not you need a data plan. In fact, certain phones won’t function properly without one. So if you aren’t sure which data plan, be sure to ask before, not after. Cell phones can be as affordable as they can be costly with all the different options available if you aren’t careful.
Next battle, what is the appropriate age for Facebook but that’s a whole other post for another day. The argument is ongoing as you might imagine. Once again I find that I’m on one side and him on the other. He’s my youngest child though, so I’ve been there, done that. But, I admit he is better at laying out his argument than the other two were, but shhh, he doesn’t need to know that.
Chrissie Cole is a freelance writer for various blogs, including Speedy Incorporation, which helps new small business owners incorporate online as well as offering advice and information about running their business successfully via their small business blog.
