Mobile phone tips/things to avoid for an almost teen.

[MillieMummy]

DD starting secondary in September so getting her a mobile for her birthday later this month.

What tips/things to avoid do people have for mobiles for this age group? My thinking is to get a basic phone but DD wants the full singing and dancing model.

Contract vs pay as you go?

Help .....

(Typed a long reply but then lost it)

How much do you want her to use it?

PAYG discourages lots of use and encourages budgeting.

Cheapish phone initially in case it gets lost. You can get a fancier one second hand, but watch out for being locked to a network.

Set up rules in advance of buying. e.g.

• phone downstairs overnight (and charged downstairs)
• no phone on during homework time
• no phone during meals or family time
• no sending photos with people in (protects re cyber-bullying)

Our biggest concern is internet access without parental controls. We have blocked internet but she can still get it on wifi hotspots.

My 15yo son has payg. He uses his credit responsably, just phone & text. It all depends on how your child is. Mine didn't use face book until last year, he wasn't interested and only befriends his friend group not half the world. He has a nice phone but paid himself. His wasn't broken.
I would ask at the store what's recommended rather than all singing dancing that teens want, before you go shopping for it then you can guide dd your way.

Ds2 is 10 and he has a cheap phone from Argos because at that age, that is all he needs. To be able to ring or text me.

All my Dcs started off with a cheap PAYG and once they were in to year 8, provided they hadn't lost/damaged/taken the piss with this phone they got a smartphone on a capped contract.

The older ones, 15 and 16 have iPhones and they are allowed to take them upstairs at night etc but they have learnt if you stay up until 3am on twitter and snapchat, you will be too tired to get up the next day.

I have an iPhone 4G on contract for dd1 in yr 7, it's set to under 18 and has a block on and picture messages disabled. She can never go over the £24 contract. She uses it all the time for school and I can keep an eye on her as she's always out. I Just track her on gps lol

BTW on contract there's no many cap the phone. Mines off Three as at the time only they capped them. I also have a contract off them and have a really good deal.

Virgin have a good sim only deal for £15 you get unlimited calls texts and minutes. That way you could by a cheaper unlocked second hand or new smartphone and put in the unlimited sim. If you want PAYG I would look for a one with unlimited net as this way if they have no minutes they can still keep in touch via what's app, fb if thy have it and snap chat, plus payg with unlimited net usually works out cheaper the less minutes you getv

*Virgin have a good sim only deal for £15 you get unlimited calls texts and INTERNET

I've never had contract phones, don't trust them.

Kids simply won't use a phone that is too deeply uncool. Don't want their friends to see it!

You can buy fairly decent Android touchscreen smartphones for under £100, and monthly payg for as little as £5 (Giffgaff) or £7.50/month. When you consider the monthly costs, £95 to outright buy a phone isn't so expensive.

Most providers have some type of Net filtering/Nannygate so that's not been a worry for us.

My contracts fine off three. I have a galaxy 4 mini with unlimited net, calls and texts for £26 and DD has an IPHONE 4s which isn't unlimited but capped and once she hits her Cap she can't use it, she can still stay in touch though as has unlimited net and texts. Think she gets 300 minutes but rarely uses anywhere near 300 as they tend to be online talking not calling each other. Had it 14 months and never had a bill for more than the £24 contract.

The ex has a giff gaff sim and seems to have a good deal on it

If you go for a contract sim or phone make sure the provider offer a genuine cap. Once you get the phone u still have to call them and enable the cap on the line. You are also charged for picture messages so also disable picture messages. AFAIK only Three offered a genuine cap when I done research but that was 14 month ago now. Some offered a warning but his is no good with teens, you need a cap as soon as they hit the contract amount.

Wow, thanks all for the top tips.

Ideally I just want her to be able to make emergency calls and exchange (a few) texts with mates.

Like the idea of a promise of a future upgrade if she uses it sensibly.