wanted: Opinoins on cel phone for preteen

**Freebeemom** · 10-31-2009, 04:18 AM

So, my daughter is more involved in things and she could probably get away with having a limited phone...

Can I have some recommendations on phones that you like, that worked out well? That had problems?
We currently have AT&T as our cell phone carrier but wonder if it would be better to just have a separate go phone...or something that would limit her to the amount of time on the phone.

Thanks in advance!

**Advertisement** · 10-31-2009 04:18 AM

**sunflowers** · 10-31-2009, 05:22 AM

ATT smart limits...
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/ar...art-limits.jsp

**freeby4me** · 10-31-2009, 05:35 AM

Well, we have a Tracfone and since we pay online with our credit card to buy minites (added automatically the same day a month) we get 50 units for 9.99 and you can buy extra minute bundles anytime for only 10 dollars more for 50 more units.
Each minute used calling is a unit and you can send three text messages for a unit.
Im happy with it.

**lisarae** · 10-31-2009, 06:49 AM

My son is 9 and he has a Tracfone. I know there is no overages, if he wants more minutes he works for them and uses his money. No contract so if they get grounded and get it taken away Im not paying for it while its not in use. Or if its lost, theres no contract. You can get codes for Tracfone and it gives you free minutes. They also have a phone, which is what my son has, and double minutes for life. (or you can buy a card that gives you that also, but it was already loaded on his phone). But If you buy a 90 minute card, you get 180 plus the extra minutes a code gives you. A text is .30 of a minute. He has a camera phone and uses it alot, just not sure how many minutes it uses to send one. We have told my son that if he uses this phone and not looses it we can add him to our plan, hes had it since Feb and so far so good.

***buttrfli*** · 10-31-2009, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by sunflowers

ATT smart limits...
http://www.wireless.att.com/learn/ar...art-limits.jsp

We use this for our girls and I LOVE it.

If you already have an ATT plan this would be the way to go. Not only can you limit the number of minutes she uses each month, you also have control over the times of day she is allowed to use it and who she talks to. I use every single feature it offers and absolutely love it. I have my girls' phones blocked so they can't use it after certain hours on school nights and I have my number programed in so that she can call me no matter what limits I have on the phone.

**cathych** · 10-31-2009, 08:20 AM

well, I hate to disagree with everyone, but I think that a person does not need a phone until they can pay for it themselves, and a child needs to be with their parents at all times in this day and time. Abductions and sexual abuse are rampant, and I would never leave my child anywhere.

**ttistin** · 10-31-2009, 08:47 AM

We added our oldest to our plan when he was 9, We have Verizon. It would have been cheaper to get him a tracphone but dh did it thinking it would be cheaper to just pay the 10 a month and have him have minutes to be able to call us if needed and not worry about running out. We got it in the first place because he was going on a field trip out of state and I wanted him to be able to get ahold of us if anything happened. He does not use it much, texts mostly but if he spends the night somewhere or has a school trip I know he can contact us anytime without having to ask someone else. I also have his phone blocked from any number that is not in his contact list. No one can call him and he can not call anyone not on the list. I sometimes take it off if he goes on a school trip or a school dance in case one of his friends wants to call their parents. I believe it is important for them to know they can call anytime if anything happens.

Now saying that...he is only 11 and is not allowed to walk home from school or walk around a store alone. When he says something about not being able to I talk to him about the stories on tv about kids being abducted, hurt and worse. He understands why dh and I wont let him do certain things.

**ttistin** · 10-31-2009, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by cathych

well, I hate to disagree with everyone, but I think that a person does not need a phone until they can pay for it themselves, and a child needs to be with their parents at all times in this day and time. Abductions and sexual abuse are rampant, and I would never leave my child anywhere.

It is not about leaving your child anywhere, it is about them going on school trips, or sleeping over at friends house or another family member. It is anytime they have the need to contact you when you are not there. That is what I will be happy to pay for. It is that little extra security we both feel with him having it.

**DreamWarrior** · 10-31-2009, 08:54 AM

Originally Posted by ttistin

It is not about leaving your child anywhere, it is about them going on school trips, or sleeping over at friends house or another family member. It is anytime they have the need to contact you when you are not there. That is what I will be happy to pay for. It is that little extra security we both feel with him having it.

I agree

My son has a cell on his fathers plan. This way no matter where he is, if he needs me he can call me. he is homeschooled now, so he doesnt go on the "traditional" field trips, but if he is with his dad or staying at a friends house and things get to be too much for him, he knows he can call me and I will come running.. lol

**Explorer 4x4'r** · 10-31-2009, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by buttrfli

We use this for our girls and I LOVE it.

If you already have an ATT plan this would be the way to go. Not only can you limit the number of minutes she uses each month, you also have control over the times of day she is allowed to use it and who she talks to. I use every single feature it offers and absolutely love it. I have my girls' phones blocked so they can't use it after certain hours on school nights and I have my number programed in so that she can call me no matter what limits I have on the phone.

is this the thing that cost like $5 a month?
Son is on our family plan with shared minutes.
I'm not concerned with him using our minutes as he only uses about 10 per month.
He begged and begged for a phone so he could talk to his friends.
Now texts are a different story...between 1500 and 2000 (or more).
So it's $10 for his line a month that he doesn't talk on. plus I had to upgrade my text pkg.

Lost my train of thought here..........
can you limit the hours/times he can text too?

**Vee030473** · 10-31-2009, 04:48 PM

Explorer,just wanted to let you know AT&T gives military discounts,if you didn't know already...http://www.usa.att.com/military/acti...type?id=offers

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