Everybody’s getting one. In fact, you can’t go far without seeing kids as young as nine and ten-years-old walking through the grocery store behind their mom or dad punching the buttons on a cell phone. If your own children have been asking you to put them on your cell phone plan, there are a few things you might want to take into consideration before agreeing.
Cell phone companies have designed phones for children as young as five-years-old. The Verizon Migo, for example, is a five button speed-dial model that parents program from an Internet account with important numbers like home, mom and dad’s cell phones and grandparents in case mom and dad can’t be reached. The benefit of the Migo is that kids can’t use the phone to call anyone other than the numbers programmed. This cuts down on the likelihood of your young child running up an outrageous bill calling their friends. The Migo also has a tracking device, so if an emergency crops up and you can’t find your child, you can track them.
Tracking devices and phone call monitoring are another positive aspect prompting many parents to give the go-ahead when their children ask for a cell phone. Many cell phone companies have special phones and programs parents can use to monitor their child’s cell phone usage, including both outgoing and incoming phone calls, and the amount of minutes used each month. Not only does this feature keep parents up to date with who their children are talking to, but also keeps them in control of the monthly bill.
If you’re worried about a monthly bill, you may want to consider a pay-as-you-go cell phone for your child. Pay-as-you-go phones allow you to add minutes in increments, and could become added incentive for kids to do extra chores and help around the house. Minutes can be added and retracted in some programs, which can be used as a rewards and punishment program by some parents. The cell phone itself can also be used as leverage if kids begin acting out, or allowing their grades to slip in school.
School is one factor that deters parents from allowing their children to have cell phone. Cell phones can be a major distraction, and even if the school has a no cell phone policy, kids will often find a way to use their phone anyway. On the other hand, a cell phone can be a helpful tool during a school emergency. In the event of a fire or other emergency, your child’s cell phone may be the only way you can get in touch with your child.
Cell phones are also a valuable tool if your child is out with friends or away at a school sporting event. They allow parents to check up on their kids, and give kids the chance to call home in the event that they are going to be late. While no one wants to think about their child being abducted or hurt, a cell phone is often the last link a parent has to their child in this type of situation. Last calls can be traced to help narrow down location if your child turns up missing.
Allowing your child to luxury of a cell phone simply because everyone else at school has one is probably not the best idea. Cell phones are a major responsibility, with some phone models costing upwards of $300 or more before service charges. Some children may be more responsible than others, but if you’re considering giving your child a chance to prove how responsible they are, start small with a low-cost phone and a pay-as-you-go plan. This will ensure that if the phone gets dropped, you won’t be responsible for replacing an expensive piece of equipment. It will also teach your child about budgeting their minutes, so when they are ready to move on to your cell phone carrier plan, they won’t run up your bill.
