Mobile phone dilema for son?

onlyroz

audigex wrote: »

Alternately go for the £20 goodybag to start with, which has unlimited data (ish - it's 6GB at full speed 8am-midnight, then the speed throttles if you go over the limit... so no more videos, but he can still use Facebook etc). Link

£20 a month for an 11-year-old? I only spend £15 a month on myself and can't see why a child would need more than £5 a month. For this amount of money they'd be able to text each other to their heart's content. All the high data consumption stuff like video streaming should be done at home over wifi.

[Deleted User]

onlyroz wrote: »

£20 a month for an 11-year-old? I only spend £15 a month on myself and can't see why a child would need more than £5 a month. For this amount of money they'd be able to text each other to their heart's content. All the high data consumption stuff like video streaming should be done at home over wifi.

Kids don't text. They use instagram, Ask.fm, Whatsapp, YouTube.. (I've believe there's also some penguin thing that is popular) they 'should' do all the high-data stuff at home like grownups do; but they're kids who want to use the fancy toys where they want, when they want. They're the generation that will expect to have no limits on internet access where-ever they are.

Sidenote: I had a fun experience teaching my kids how to make a cup of tea on the stove when we had a powercut at the weekend.. They also get a bit miffed if they can't watch netflix if they're on a long journey in the car and I certainly expect they'll want a phone before they are 11 (currently 6 and 4).

onlyroz

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Kids don't text. They use instagram, Ask.fm, Whatsapp, YouTube.. (I've believe there's also some penguin thing that is popular) they 'should' do all the high-data stuff at home like grownups do; but they're kids who want to use the fancy toys where they want, when they want. They're the generation that will expect to have no limits on internet access where-ever they are.

Kids will only expect this if you pander to them. I certainly won't be paying for mine to have a better data tariff than I have for myself (I've got a 2GB EE tariff which is far more than I really need). If they want more then they can pay for it themselves.

susancs

Op, I had the same concerns as you when my eldest daughter started secondary school. Although they are not allowed phones in school, as long as they are turned off when in school, they turn a blind eye to them in my experience. If they are seen or the phone rings then they are taken off them and a parent has to go in and collect the phone.

It did put my mind at rest, when I used to get a text or call saying transport was delayed from school or I knew to ring the school to let them know that they were stuck on an underground train that had not moved for some time and would be late for school. Likewise, school trips, where transport was delayed so eta was later. Great for meeting them, after that must go to fav band music gig and you can't see them in the huge crowd coming out and the pre-arranged meeting place is packed. They are also really good for arranging social events. One child in my DDs secondary school did not have a mobile and during the school holidays (esp summer) was never included in any events planned during that time. I also found it a great behaviour managment tool, as the threat to take away or taking away the mobile phone for a period of time improved behaviour.

I have a virgin mobile phone and was going to get giff gaff for my girls but when I spoke to Virgin mobile the offered me a rolling sim only bundle for £6 a month of unlimited texts ( it is not really as it is reasonable use of 3000), 600 minutes and 1gb data, free virgin to virgin mobile texts and calls. I would get a cheap mobile and a sim only deal from one of the providers. Remind them to check their minutes, texts, internet to check how much they have left and use it sparingly if running low near the renewal date each month. Also set a low credit limit of £10 and then the phone gets cut off, so your child does not tun up a bill.

heuchera

consumers_revenge wrote: »

Hi,
It wont be setup for internet same as we don't let him use the internet unsupervised now ( just meaning were not sat over his shoulder he just has to use it in one of the family areas whether were sat in the same room or not.)

Very sensible but bear in mind tech-savvy teens will be able to set up internet on a mobile phone within minutes..

I'd say get him a basic one, in case he needs to call you. When we were at secondary school we used to just call from a phone box if we really needed to phone someone (which was rare) but phone boxes are a thing of the past now.

[Deleted User]

onlyroz wrote: »

Kids will only expect this if you pander to them. I certainly won't be paying for mine to have a better data tariff than I have for myself (I've got a 2GB EE tariff which is far more than I really need). If they want more then they can pay for it themselves.

We only see progress due to an increase in expectations

My key point was that kids communicate in different ways than grown-ups. Texting is old fashioned and of limited functionality, to the point I whatsapp with my parents.

I did forget to mention snapchat with my 'down with the kids but probably out-of-date already' list of systems they use.

mumps

I use a £5 goody bag but then I use a phone as a phone. Very quaint.

Madmel

It depends on the school as to how mobile phones are used. The closest to here will not allow them at all. The one I work at (attended by my DDs) takes a more relaxed view. Kids should not have them out in lessons unless the teacher allows it. I allow them to use them as stopwatches and to make audio recordings of their work.

To the OP - check the rules at the secondary school now before getting a phone. Both DDs had a PAYG when they started secondary school but switched to a contract at the end of year 7. Both had simple smartphones (Samsung from memory) on approx. £15 per month contracts BUT this came out of their pocket money. DD1 has just upgraded to a better phone than me but she has achieved 2 amazing things and this was her reward (and it's SIM only because I still won't spend more than £15 per month - this is MSE!)

gunsandbanjos

I gave my daughter my old iPhone 4 when she started high school, she walks home and is in the house for 1-2 hours before I get in from work so I like to be able to contact her and she can message me if she needs anything.

balletshoes

onlyroz wrote: »

Kids will only expect this if you pander to them. I certainly won't be paying for mine to have a better data tariff than I have for myself (I've got a 2GB EE tariff which is far more than I really need). If they want more then they can pay for it themselves.

it depends how you (and your teen) use their phones, I'm a low user of data, I rarely use more than 200mb a month out and about with it. I'm on the £7 a month giffgaff tariff. My OH uses faceache, youtube etc all the time on his phone, he's on a 3 £15 a month unlimited everything contract. Daughter is 14, is somewhat in the middle - uses way more apps and data than I do, but she doesn't need (or get) unlimited data (and I think I'm the only person she texts, and thats only because thats how I contact her). She's on the £12 a month giffgaff tariff, which currently gets her 3gb of data (although they are changing next month to a lower data allowance for the same money on this tariff) and thats enough for her. She uses around 2gb a month when I check her usage. She pays for half of this from her monthly pocket money allowance.