**Full Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #Phones4School #CollectiveBias
My kids head back to school next week. Colin will start kindergarten and James will be in 5th grade. While I don’t feel like I’m old enough to have a 5th grader, I realize I can’t pretend it isn’t happening. James is spending more and more time out and about – at church or with his friends at their homes. I didn’t like not being able to reach him, so it was time to start looking at the lowest priced unlimited plans for his {gulp} very own cell phone. I found that plan at Walmart.
The Walmart Family Mobile plan is $34.88 a month for talk, text and web.
James and I purchased the Alcatel One Touch Fierce phone on Rollback for $99.88 and the starter kit (sim card) for $25 at the counter in the electronics section of our Walmart. The plan I signed up for is paid at the end of each month, so that made the initial cost a little easier on my wallet.
There was no wait to make the purchase. The two employees behind the counter had us checked out and the phone set up in less than 15 minutes. James couldn’t wait to play with his new phone but I made him wait until the next day.
We had to set up the phone ground rules first:
- The phone wouldn’t be just his phone but it would be the ‘safety phone.’ Something that he would only use while he was away from the house.
- He could only call and text the numbers that we programmed in the phone (mom, dad, grandma, geezer, etc.).
- James would have to have permission before he could use the web.
- Only approved apps could be installed.
I am a little less anxious about sending James out on his own now because when he is headed out, he can take the phone with him so we can reach each other at all times. I like that the One Touch Fierce is a reliable phone that doesn’t cost me an arm and a leg every month.
At what age did you (or will you) give your child a phone?
I think allowing your child to have a phone is essential these days. It’s nice that they have affordable family plans.
I like the idea of a “safety phone” instead of a younger child having a phone to use all the time. That way several kids can share a phone if they go to the park or one goes out with friends.
I would say around 10 is now pretty average in my circle. It depends on the activities of the child. If he/she is away from parents it becomes more essential.
I think it’s so important for kids to have phones these days. I used to think it was a luxury, but it’s necessary.
This is so much better than using an expensive device and worrying about it! I wouldn’t mind switching to their affordable plan myself.
My oldest just got this phone too. And, we stress the importance of using it as a safety phone also. My daughter is going into sixth grade and has had different phones over the last 2 years. Nowadays, I think it is necessary.
Ugh. My 8 year old is already asking for her own phone. Thank goodness she’s happy with her iPod Touch at the moment. I’m hoping to wait a few years before making the jump to a phone!
I am working on getting my daughter a phone as well, she just turned 8 so that price is very attractive.
Wow! This made me think, what the heck did I do when I was a kid? Is my son (7) ready for a phone…Good gravy it won’t be long…
My kiddo is only 4, I am not ready for him to have a phone yet!
Very good to know. When my son gets a cell phone, I will look into this more!
Great ground rules! I think those are a must for any child with a phone (or electronic device). #client
My son is 11 and does not have a cell phone yet. As much as I would like the piece of mind of being able to reach him at any time, I am also not sure he is quite responsible enough yet for a phone. a $100 is a good deal but I don’t have the kind of money to replace it so easily if he lost it or damaged it. Those are great ground rules that you have set for him.