Cellular Phones and Children

The question of when to give your child a cellular phone is often a difficult one. Parents are looking for the security of knowing their child can reach them quickly and easily at any time. However many parents have been shocked when receiving a bill with excessive overage charges.

There are many effective strategies parents can take to avoid conflicts over cell phone usage. The first step is to asses your child’s level of responsibility, and determine whether they respect the boundaries you set for them. While generally more expensive on per minute basis, many parents chose to go with a prepaid calling plan. You pre-purchase a block of prepaid minutes, preventing you from going over your monthly allowance.

For teens that are older and more mature, you can consider a family calling plan. This is generally the most economical choice. You can add an additional line to your existing calling plan for a nominal charge. You can then purchase a larger block of minutes at a reduced rate and share them amongst everyone on the plan.

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