Archives: Phones & Cell Phones

With the recent announcement that Disney will be partnering with Sprint to market cell phones to kids and their families, it is clearer than ever that kids ages 8-12 have become the new focus of cell phone companies.  Certainly, there are many benefits to children carrying a phone, not least of which is a parent’s ability to know where their children are.  But, before putting this powerful device in the hands of a child, consider these tips.

Should you sign up for a “family plan”?  Most cell phone companies have service plans that allow you to put multiple phones on the same contract. 

Watch Out:

• Shared plans can share minutes, if there are four members of your family working from the same pot of minutes, be careful to not exceed your monthly allotment. Overage charges can add up quickly.
• If you want to exit your service contract before your one or two year agreement is up there will most likely be a per line early termination fee.
• Changing your contract to include a new phone will most likely require you to renew your one or two year contract. 

How responsible is your child? Will your child know when if they are roaming? Will they curb their calling because of minute overage charges?

Watch Out:

• All the added features on cell phones can rack up the charges, text messaging, picture phones, email, ringtones – new features are being added all the time. 

Consumer Tip:

• If your are concerned about your child overusing the phone and ringing up big monthly bills consider starting with a prepaid cell phone, that way you can monitor the budget and if the phone is lost.

Read more about what you need to know before and after you buy cell phone service.