Mobile Phone contract for teenager

Threebabes

Hi

My son who is 14 1/2 wants a contract mobile phone (like all his friends). I was wondering if anyone had any advice or guidance on what to get him. We dont really want to pay more than £10 a month for him. Would rather have a 12 month or 18 month contract if possible.

He would like a good phone but not top of the range (not for £10 a month anyway ). He said he would like unlimited text msgs.

Hes got a orange LG KS360 at the minute which we just top up. Would we be better off just getting him one of those £10 - 30 day sim cards?

Thank for any guidance you can give.

DrScotsman

There are MANY horror stories on MSE from parents whose children have run up huge bills. Obviously you're the only one who ultimately can tell how trustworthy your son is, but nonetheless with this caution in mind:

- Don't rule out PAYG. o2 PAYG Simplicity is much like a 30 day contract except it's paid by topping up, and is fairly competitive (if not really competitive) with none of the risk. I think a lot of the networks have similar deals.
- For contract, phone up any network you're considering and see if they can enforce a credit limit (although it probably won't be 100% accurate)
- If the phone is a smart phone make absolutely sure data is switched OFF if you don't have an unlimited data plan - that trap is fallen into by many ADULTS on these forums.

seaniboy

giffgaff runs on o2, unlimited texts £5 a month

lurkylurky

I have recently signed my DF up for an O2 18 month contract through Dialaphone. He is paying £20 a month but there's a cashback redemption on it so the effective monthly price after redemptions is £3.33. For that he is getting 100 minutes, unlimited texts and a Samson Tocco Lite

With his permission, I signed him up online with O2 so I can keep an eye on things for him. In his first month he used 36 minutes. He really only signed up for it to get £5 discount on his broadband

The whole process with Dialaphone and O2 was very easy. Calls to O2 customer services are free and UK based. However, when ordering you automatically get free insurance and access to a gadget helpline both of which we cancelled during the first month otherwise they start charging from month 2.

I am seriously considering signing my DS (11 1/2) up for the same. He loves the phone - was hoping Grandad wouldn't like the touch screen so he could have it but Grandad likes it. He is currently on Orange PAYG and checks his balance regularly so I'm not worried about him using too many minutes. But just to be on the safe side I check regularly as well. £10 lasts around 3 months but I'm sure he'll be using it more when he starts secondary school in September.

Tony5101

I've just added my daughter to my account - I'm with Vodafone, and they gave me/her an HTC Tattoo/unlimited texts/300mins/500mb fup internet - all for the princely sum of £10pm.
This was only valid as an addition to my account - but this might be an option for you?

Threebabes

Good point, he is trustworthy and he would be in so much trouble if he went over his limit. Again I could sign him up online so he could monitor his usage.

I will have a look about online following these suggestions. Thanks

seaniboy

lurkylurky wrote: »

he'll be using it more when he starts secondary school in September.

To relieve shock later (hope you have not got auto recharge against a card) I will provide a buffer now, at high school they comminicate via text between classrooms - that will soon be £10 per 3 days

4743hudsonj

If only blyk was still going, i remember when i got 42 free minutes and 300 odd free texts each month for nothing! After that you topped up and got cheap 02 rates.

seaniboy

^giffgaff - PAYG

£5 unlimited texts

£10 100 mins, unlimited texts & internet

£15 300 " " " "

£35 unlimited calls, texts & internet

8p 01/02/03 most 07 numbers, 0800 numbers are FREE, texts 4p, free giffgaff to giffgaff

UNLIMITED really means UNLIMITED on giffgaff

Threebabes

seaniboy wrote: »

^giffgaff - PAYG

£5 unlimited texts

£10 100 mins, unlimited texts & internet

£15 300 " " " "

£35 unlimited calls, texts & internet

8p 01/02/03 most 07 numbers, 0800 numbers are FREE, texts 4p, free giffgaff to giffgaff

UNLIMITED really means UNLIMITED on giffgaff

Hi, Ive never heard of giff gaff. Is it a sim that you put in your own phone?

lurkylurky

seaniboy wrote: »

To relieve shock later (hope you have not got auto recharge against a card) I will provide a buffer now, at high school they comminicate via text between classrooms - that will soon be £10 per 3 days

Thanks for the warning - we don't have auto recharge. In true MSE style I always buy top ups at Boots and get 40 Ad Card points and whatever the current coupon giveaway is - e.g. £5 off No7.

It's the unlimited texts that's tempting me with the O2 deal. I was at the house once when my 14 year old neice's bill was delivered. I thought it was a catalogue landing on the mat. Fortunately, she has unlimited texts and makes good use of 'em - around 3000 a month!