The rule when I was a kid: If there's a monthly bill, I can't have one (unless I pay for it myself 100%). I had a pager, which I paid for on my own. Certainly not one of those expensive cellular phones. I guess I can't apply the same rule to my kids, eh? I'll have to get them a cell phone?
Honestly, what had a monthly bill when we were kids? I can't think of anything other that your own phone line, and no kids had that. However, as land lines go the way of the dodo, everyone having their own phone is more of a necessity than it was at our age. That said, if you have kids, just keep a land line for now.
You should probably talk to me about how that little plan is likely to work out. I'd hate for you to be wildly disappointed in a few years.
I can't believe the nerve of all the lousy parents in this thread. I mean all children deserve Iphones and at worst maybe the G1 phone. How are the kids (who are our future) going to build any self esteem without such necessary tools of success?
Why does a kid need a phone for besides texting? And besides, if he's going to text, it's most likely going to happen during school which isn't permitted in most schools. If they want, they can come home and "text" on the computer and that will solve that texting issue. They aren't really going to call a lot.
I am 22 and I got my cellphone when I was 21. Parents where never willing to pay for my own plan. I never seen I use for one until I got into trading and my work. So I got a Blackberry. And I love that beast.
Kids dont need a phone they can text. The need a phone to call mom and dad or some other for an emergency. My kids wont have a cell phone until they get a car. And its gonna be text disabled. If they wanna text. They can get there own phone and plan.
I used to see these articles back in high school before I had a phone and wondered how in the **** could you send that many messages? I don't care how many friends you have, no one is that popular without just craving around the clock attention. Hell, 5 years later, I've barely SENT 10000 messages, lol. My kids will be locked up in a dungeon if they ever do this.
No one texts that much unless they're an idiot, lol. I know all about the teeny bopper phase and I never did that nor did ANYONE I knew. Can someone explain how this is possible? Then again I didn't have many friends in HS either
I should note though, the unlimited text message plan is worth it's weight in gold for any service. I think it's like $15 more a month for unlimited texts for everyone on our family plan. Still, if my son/daughter ever sends 10000 messages in a time period of less than 3 years, they are finding a foster home
I think it's the amount of the charges vs. the cost to provide that service. If a cellphone company can offer $15-$20 unlimited texting without losing money, then the idea that it costs the cellphone company anywhere near 50 cents per message to provide the service. It seems suspicious, too, that it is apparently so difficult for the CSRs at various cellphone companies to actually block texting when asked.
I know T-Mobile lets customers block texting via their online account. Not sure about the other companies.
