Cell phone for the kids

bayman · Nov 24, 2011

Not sure if this is the right place or not(may not get many views). Anyway, just resently became a single dad of two girls (10 & 11) who are going to need a cell phone (i think) to get a hold of me at any time.

Wondering if there is anybody on here that could suggest something,some plan or which providers are better. My cell is a company phone that they pay for and have for years,so not really up on all the new grap out there. Just want a phone that has access to like 5 numbers or something, maybe be able to text. Thanks .

suzuki_ryder · Nov 24, 2011

My 12 year old brother had a simple gsm flip phone with koodo that was like $20 a month. He's got a smartphone and is with telus now so I don't know what my parents are paying.

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magnet · Nov 24, 2011

suzuki_ryder said:
My 12 year old brother had a simple gsm flip phone with koodo that was like $20 a month. He's got a smartphone and is with telus now so I don't know what my parents are paying.

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wow lifes tuff, your parents looking to adopt?

suzuki_ryder · Nov 24, 2011

Lol. Never said it was tough. He just wanted to fit in with every other Kid in school with androids and iPhones.

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Bogger · Nov 24, 2011

My daughter has been bugging for a phone for over 2 years now, she's 13 now 14 next month.... Last night was the first time I ever left a parent teacher conference smiling and full of pride. I think too many kids are getting phones way too young now days, My ex was hoping to get her one for christmas although the effort is definitly there the marks are not quite there yet but she is close. Realistically my daughter already has an app on her i-pod that allows her to text for free whenever she has wifi access so the phone is more of a status thing than anything.

Thier mom tried to preach to me that she needed a phone to get hold of me at any time but realistically when she's at home she has the home phone, when in school there are phones, friends houses have phones and basically any other time shes with one of us who have a phone... at 10 & 11 legally they should not be anywhere without an adult close by anyway...

I remember my mom used to let me go play with friends, hang out at the pool/mall/arcade, play basketball and soccer cruise all over hell and creation on my bike....and I never had a phone.

Often people confuse wants with needs...

Just my 2 cents

magnet · Nov 24, 2011

our son has a phone 14 going on 15 next month, chit next week, he also owns a rifle and a qaud and a sled. ............................................. however he pays for his phone with his own money he works for, has a job, paid for his qaud with the money he saved this summer working, sled is a hand me down from me, and the rifle is his birthday/ christmas gift for this year.
like bogger said wants for needs he says he is probably going to shut his phone off soon cause it costs too much. lol

sunshinesmiles · Nov 24, 2011

My son has had a cell for about 2 years now and he's 12. Telus has a fav 5 plan out which is about $30 a month I believe..........but mabey they have something cheaper a family plan or something if your setting up 2 phones. My reasoning for getting my son his cell was I changed jobs and he was having to walk to school..........I wanted to know he arrived there safe and sound and home after. Now as he's older, and with it being winter I like to know the bus came and picked him up. In my line of work I'm not always readily available for him to call me from a regular phone........................so him having one gives me piece of mind and..........I always know where he is at all times. These days are certainly not like 28 years ago when I was his age and mom would holler for us when it was dark..........times have changed, more children going missing, bullying etc.........

bayman · Nov 24, 2011

sunshinesmiles said:
My son has had a cell for about 2 years now and he's 12. Telus has a fav 5 plan out which is about $30 a month I believe..........but mabey they have something cheaper a family plan or something if your setting up 2 phones. My reasoning for getting my son his cell was I changed jobs and he was having to walk to school..........I wanted to know he arrived there safe and sound and home after. Now as he's older, and with it being winter I like to know the bus came and picked him up. In my line of work I'm not always readily available for him to call me from a regular phone........................so him having one gives me piece of mind and..........I always know where he is at all times. These days are certainly not like 28 years ago when I was his age and mom would holler for us when it was dark..........times have changed, more children going missing, bullying etc.........

Exactly why I want to get them a phone, I cant take them to work with me. Ill have to drop them of at a good/close friends house at 6:30am or so. Then not pick them up till 5:00pm. Thats a long time for me not to talk to them and vise versa. Sometime they may have an issue,hopefully never,but chit happens. A couple of numbers she could call just in case would be a good piece of mind.

sunshinesmiles · Nov 24, 2011

bayman said:
Exactly why I want to get them a phone, I cant take them to work with me. Ill have to drop them of at a good/close friends house at 6:30am or so. Then not pick them up till 5:00pm. Thats a long time for me not to talk to them and vise versa. Sometime they may have an issue,hopefully never,but chit happens. A couple of numbers she could call just in case would be a good piece of mind.

Yes always now a days piece of mind for a parent.............if they get in trouble...........we or the police if necessary are a call away !!!! I figure what I pay for his cell bill, is irrelovent to his safety now a days. If I know he's on that bus when it's -30 I feel better............and knowing he's home safe and sound after school makes me not freak out so much...............and the inbetweens....................where he's stopping, gaming,playing ect........I know where he is at always................and instill in your girls this is a privlidge for them not a treat !! This is for communication purposes and safety !!!

Cyle · Dec 3, 2011

If they are old enough they are riding the bus to school, walking alone, etc old enough for a phone IMO. Had one at 12, but a lot different from phones now. That was when texting was new and ch!t I don't think any friends even had phones. The only reason I had one was because my parents were divorced and to keep in touch with my mom, remember getting $10 30 min phone cards, good for a month and sometimes expired.....Shows how much it was used.

ch!t Magnet, my dad STILL pays for my phone at 22.....I have not paid a phone bill yet.........In my defense I do work for him so I can say that's why....

Cyle · Dec 3, 2011

Bogger said:
My daughter has been bugging for a phone for over 2 years now, she's 13 now 14 next month.... Last night was the first time I ever left a parent teacher conference smiling and full of pride. I think too many kids are getting phones way too young now days, My ex was hoping to get her one for christmas although the effort is definitly there the marks are not quite there yet but she is close. Realistically my daughter already has an app on her i-pod that allows her to text for free whenever she has wifi access so the phone is more of a status thing than anything.

Thier mom tried to preach to me that she needed a phone to get hold of me at any time but realistically when she's at home she has the home phone, when in school there are phones, friends houses have phones and basically any other time shes with one of us who have a phone... at 10 & 11 legally they should not be anywhere without an adult close by anyway...

I remember my mom used to let me go play with friends, hang out at the pool/mall/arcade, play basketball and soccer cruise all over hell and creation on my bike....and I never had a phone.

Often people confuse wants with needs...

Just my 2 cents

Isn't that because your so old phones weren't invented yet?

If it's for safety, emergencies very easy to limit it so it's not just a toy. Not like it has to be a smartphone or anything either. But then again at that age they can have the maturity of a 5 year old or 18 year old.

Come on only 13? Marks are overrated at that age.....Grade 9 is the important year for marks for high school! Not 8. ch!t I failed some grade 8 courses (mind you on purpose) and left 9 with honors.....Only thing i'd encourage at that age is attendance and liking school as much as possible.

At 10 and 11, depends how close you mean. At 10 I got myself to school alone, and home for lunch. Granted the school was only 4 blocks away and that was a lot different from today.

Phones are becoming more of a staple all the time. Even if it's for just checking in/emergencies. If they are old enough to be alone going places they need a phone.

Rneddel · Dec 3, 2011

make sure they pay for the plan like me!!!! :rant:

Bogger · Dec 4, 2011

She is in grade 9, and work ethic not attitude are what is important, good work ethic and the marks will follow, but she's not there yet....how bout you go argue with a dealer/salesman/contactor/builder etc. and let me raise my daughter....

Sorry but I don't see a phone as a necessity for children, talk to jr/sr high school teachers and ask them about kids having phones, in most cases it's a distraction... In case of emergency there are phones everywhere and most people are still willing to help...

Just my 2 cents...

Cyle said:
Isn't that because your so old phones weren't invented yet?

If it's for safety, emergencies very easy to limit it so it's not just a toy. Not like it has to be a smartphone or anything either. But then again at that age they can have the maturity of a 5 year old or 18 year old.

Come on only 13? Marks are overrated at that age.....Grade 9 is the important year for marks for high school! Not 8. ch!t I failed some grade 8 courses (mind you on purpose) and left 9 with honors.....Only thing i'd encourage at that age is attendance and liking school as much as possible.

At 10 and 11, depends how close you mean. At 10 I got myself to school alone, and home for lunch. Granted the school was only 4 blocks away and that was a lot different from today.

Phones are becoming more of a staple all the time. Even if it's for just checking in/emergencies. If they are old enough to be alone going places they need a phone.

overkill131313 · Dec 4, 2011

when I renewed my Blackberry I got the kid one also......he is always in touch with BB messanger (which if free).....and he get weekends free.....and free to call me anytime.......and since I moved to Bell from telus I get what I had, plus unlimited long distance, plus 10 free numbers, plus my kids plan for the same price! so when I pick him up at school I just BB message him and I dont have to go look for him! oh and it makes his social life so much better in grade 6......lol he has quite the list....in my day the BB stood for black book but now all his friends are in his Black Berry! lol

Bogger · Dec 4, 2011

That right there is what I'm talking about... grade 6 really??????

overkill131313 said:
when I renewed my Blackberry I got the kid one also......he is always in touch with BB messanger (which if free).....and he get weekends free.....and free to call me anytime.......and since I moved to Bell from telus I get what I had, plus unlimited long distance, plus 10 free numbers, plus my kids plan for the same price! so when I pick him up at school I just BB message him and I dont have to go look for him! oh and it makes his social life so much better in grade 6......lol he has quite the list....in my day the BB stood for black book but now all his friends are in his Black Berry! lol

Cyle · Dec 4, 2011

Bogger said:
She is in grade 9, and work ethic not attitude are what is important, good work ethic and the marks will follow, but she's not there yet....how bout you go argue with a dealer/salesman/contactor/builder etc. and let me raise my daughter....

Sorry but I don't see a phone as a necessity for children, talk to jr/sr high school teachers and ask them about kids having phones, in most cases it's a distraction... In case of emergency there are phones everywhere and most people are still willing to help...

Just my 2 cents...

Not telling you what to do it's advice and nothing more.

People willing to help? Sad to say but that is less likely everyday. Phones are around but I mean if they are catching a bus home, what if they happen to get on the wrong one and end up lost somewhere? Rare but could happen, and a lot of bus drivers are not helpful at all. But obviously depends on the kid, I mean some don't even take the bus.

Being in high school and no phone is almost unheard of today. By that time so many have a job, if you have a job a phone is pretty much a must. Plus if your mature enough to pay for it, gotta be mature enough to have one. Plus by high school kids are driving i'd sure want them to have a phone if they have that means of transportation available to them. Junior high not a must, but high school is a big jump. Ipods can be just as bad as distraction anyway....

Teachers views can be skewed. But then again I have a huge grudge to this day against a educator who really screwed me up. Almost screwed up my entire education, so I can be bitter on how they approach parents, and others on what is best for the kids (if that is their true intention).

Cyle · Dec 4, 2011

Bogger said:
That right there is what I'm talking about... grade 6 really??????

Grade 6 is way to young I will say that.....

overkill131313 · Dec 4, 2011

but he also lost it for 3 weeks because of his atitude......so it works as a great "learn to be good or your blackberry is gone" aid lol.......

and since I dont have a land line.....his is great to phone and say he made it home from school if I'm not there........more for a safety thing since we dont live in town.........phones are just any where here!

Bogger said:
That right there is what I'm talking about... grade 6 really??????

overkill131313 · Dec 4, 2011

oh and he uses it for his work too........he makes more money than most 11 year olds......he needs a phone so his clients get a hold of him when he needs to work in the neighbourhood! lol really! and dont say he is to young to work.....I had to work to pay for my toys at his age.......he has a sin number so he can work! lol

kingkris06 · Dec 4, 2011

for a first phone , no contracts , no smart phones . odds are they will lose it or brake it . and probably need to change plans with in 6 months. im not sure if its available in canada, but they do make a cell phone that can only dial 5 numbers .

you can get special family rate plan from most carriers , some can even share minutes and data . but might not necessarily be worth while .

as for the whole "do kids need cell phones" no, they don't need one. but its nice to have one . i know its hard for us pre- cell phone age but consider this : if your in trouble and all of your friends have cell phones , the last call is to your parents, if any at all . also remember you get a call from a cell phone they could be anywhere .

Cell phone for the kids

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