Is there a certain age for kids to have a cell phone?

Kids’ relationships with cell phones have changed dramatically, and this change can sometimes be tough for parents to understand. I can remember when no students had their own mobile phones 20 years ago, whereas more than half of all teens age 13-17 possess them today.Every where you go today all you see is kids texting this is the most popular way for kids to communicate and hardly every see a child talking on the phone.Younger and younger children are starting to carry cell phones.Surprised when your daughter or son starts begging to get a cell phone. At 10, the fourth -grader seemes way too young to be even thinking about it.But There is no right age for a first cell phone.The environment also has changed. Pay phones are disappearing. Events such as the Columbine school shootings and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks taught parents to value the instant accessibility cell phones provide.Part of it comes from kids’ desire to connect with friends, but another part comes from parents’ desire to keep kids safe.While parents see phones as a “way to keep track of where everybody is,” kids see them as a way to be socially connected. Most kids want phones that offer games, Web access, a camera and fun ring tones, and don’t forget texting.Plus having a cell phone is a great security for children and the gps phones even give more security for you child,which allows parents to track where their child is through their phone.

Before purchasing a device, I suggests parents talk to kids about what they can and cannot do with the phone. For instance: Can kids download new ring tones? Can they text? If so, how often? Can they download games or surf the Web Parents may also want to consider a child’s ability to keep track of a valuable possession and follow guidelines. Parents should consider a child’s maturity, responsibility and need.Parents and kids should also research their school’s policy about cell phones. Restrictions on cell phone usage vary from school to school.Most schools allow cell phones on campus but can not be visible and can not be used during school hours.

The monthly bill is another topic parents should be sure to approach with kids. Some parents agree to pay a certain figure each month and require kids to pay for any extras. Others require teens to foot the whole bill.How much parents are willing to pay each month for the phone, how many minutes the child can use, how much texting is allowed, the hours the phone can be in use, what happens if the phone gets lost and when it can be used (for instance, not during mealtimes).These rules are some i have with my children.The kids have to answer if their parents call, and if they get behind in schoolwork or have a bad attitude, their phone privileges disappear.All Most kIds care for is texting anyway so a cell phone plan for your child can cheap if you get a calling plan that dont have a lot of minutes per month. Most cell phone companies you can add your child on a shared plan very cheaply.

Many companies are providing services that have created features specially designed with kids and teens in mind. Some companies offer a phone that will only call a handful of numbers, which parents can program.Many traditional cell phone providers offer controls for parents. Because these are constantly changing, parents should contact service providers or visit their Web sites to see what options are available.

Verizon, for instance, currently offers Chaperone service.Verizon also offers a content-filtering service that gives parents the ability to restrict what type of content (including music, video and Web sites) kids can access through their phones.

 

Tmobile has several diffrent parent control feature like Family Allowances is a service easily managed from My T-Mobile that lets you assign allowances for minutes, messages, and downloads to all the lines on your account.In addition to setting allowances, you can set Always Allowed SM numbers to enable unlimited calling or texting and Never Allowed SM numbers to restrict calling or texting.Family Allowances will also enable you to block usage during certain times of day (conditions and restrictions apply). Family Allowances is easily managed from My T-Mobile.T-Mobile Even More Plus plans sm offers(No Annual Contract) gives you our best monthly rate plan pricing, so you will save money over time.

AT&T Parents can set Purchase Blocker to “On” or “Off.” “On” prevents your children from purchasing premium content, including ringtones, downloads, games,set Content Filters,graphics and much more.

Sprint Parental Controls give you a convenient way to manage wireless usage and access for everyone on your account. Kids get stylish phones to keep connected with friends and family, while you can control Internet access, texting, content purchases, voice calls and camera use.

Advertisement