Phone for Tween

Updated on June 24, 2013
V.P. asks from Columbus, OH
11 answers

Let me start by saying, I am not a fan of phones for tweens. My 11 year old also doesn't particularly want one -- she hates to talk on the phone, doesn't want an email or texting account, and easily complies with our rules about internet access. She's never asked for a facebook account, thinks her friends on instagram are crazy, and just isn't pushing those boundaries in any way. She also hasn't really needed a phone because I stay home and am always her ride and available.

In the fall, however, she will be doing some activities where I will want her to be able to phone or text us if necessary. I'll still be dropping off and picking up, but she'll be a little more independent and has talked about walking home from school with her friends. Her friends will have phones, but if there's a day they aren't at school and plans change, I need her to be able to call or text me.

I need a simple phone, qwerty keyboard that will fit that lifestyle. We have Verizon, but I haven't really seen much there that would be inexpensive. Has anyone used a cheap phone for tweens with a simple, low cost plan that they liked? Texting and voice are the only two things we need.

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

So What Happened?

Sweetchaos - that's what I was thinking of - but I can't seem to figure out what those are. Are those the TracPhones that you pick up at Walmart and places like that? I think you have to purchase a card for minutes. I know I sound like I haven't done my homework, but I actually have spent quite a few hours trying to figure it out and still seem to be missing the mark.

I appreciate the opinions about whether or not a child should have a phone - I don't even disagree, as the start of my post indicates - but we've moved beyond that decision based on the circumstances in our family and now are simply looking for the right one. I understand that kids have always done that. And parents parented without computer forums and drove cars without seat belts. Times change. My daughter is extremely anxious and shy. She is unlikely to ask to use the phone in the office, especially if it's after the last bell rings. Also, she will is joining evening activities fairly far from home. We are trying to encourage independence and responsibility. We aren't entering into this lightly and have considered it very carefully. If I thought she'd abuse it or wanted it as a status symbol, I'd never do it, but we've decided having a link to us will give her a sense of security to allow a little more independence and help with her anxiety.

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

P.K.

answers from New York on

How about forgoing the phone and have her call from where she is on their phone. From the beginning of time that's what kids did. She wants to walk home with friends. Again kids have been doing this for years and years and years. So if all her friends are all sick on the same day and not in school, if she has to call you, she asks the school office if she could use the phone. She is 11 and does not need a phone. If you must just get a prepaid phone from Walmart.

2 moms found this helpful

More Answers

J.W.

answers from St. Louis on

Usually it is cheaper to add a line to your plan. My older daughter still has a straight up dumb phone. At 23 I think she does it because if she adds data she knows she will be kicked off our plan. :-/

Samsung still makes a dumb phone, I had to replace my dad's old dumb phone and there is no way he could learn a new phone. My dad's phone was free through Tmobile, can't imagine any carrier charging for them because the demographic that uses them isn't going to pay a lot for anything.

3 moms found this helpful

J.O.

answers from Boise on

If you're going to want a basic phone, the odd's are that you will have to go with a pay as you go. Verizon and AT&T both make good versions with reasonable prices. I've done both when my kids were younger (but older then your DD) and only had texting on their phones. They could still call 911 if they needed to.

My DD works for Verizon and told me that simple phones are actually being phased out. They want people to start upgrading to smart phones, because they are changing their technology (something like that). That is probably why you are having a hard time finding what you want.

Here's some for AT&T...
http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/prepaidphones.html

Verizon....
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/prepay/processPrePayRe...

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from New York on

If you have Verizon you can add her to your plan for probably $10 a month.

Go to the Verizon store and see what they offer. You can also buy a phone over the internet for very cheap and get it added to the plan.

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Go in and talk to the salespeople at Verizon if you qualify for a free phone.

I swear every time I go in there, they look at my account and say, "You qualify for a new free phone.." I love my phones, so I am always reluctant to change. Our daughter and my husband have upgraded to these phones may times.

You can then tell them you only want the phone to take and accept calls and then decide if texting is something that you may want. I find texting is great when I have to give someone a list of instructions or a really quick reply or check in, Or when I am somewhere that I need to be quiet.

1 mom found this helpful

S.G.

answers from Grand Forks on

Will she really need one? My ten year old participates in plenty of activities but has never needed a phone to do so. All of the places he goes for these activities have courtesy phones available (school, church, community club, YMCA, library, ice rink, city pool, the homes of his friends etc). I would check to see if phones are available in the places your daughter frequents. Even if they don't have courtesy phones it is likely the adult in charge has a phone that can be used. As for walking home from school, or going to the park he knows he should come right home and talk to me in person should he need to speak to me (to change plans etc). In cases of emergency I have taught him how to go to a neighbour to get help. I see so many adults so utterly dependent on their phones, I cringe at the idea of helping a child develop such a dependency.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.E.

answers from Wichita Falls on

We have a pay as you go, cheap as they come, phone for the kids for when they are away from home. You can buy cards for minutes, pay directly to the company online, or set up a direct payment monthly. you can get the phone for as little as $10. Generally the cheapest plans are $10 a month (for 100 minutes) or 3 months for $20 (200 minutes) or you can buy a years service all at once (not sure how much). They are great for occasional use and teaching your tween to budget her/his minutes, but once they really start to use the phone, it's best just to add them to your plan.

1 mom found this helpful

S.A.

answers from Chicago on

My 11 yr old does not yet have one. A few of her friends have the cheap, pay as you go phones with no data. When my daughter gets one, that will be the kind she gets.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

AT&T has "go" phones.
Pay as you go types.
Basic phones.
My Mom has one.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.J.

answers from Washington DC on

I recommend Trac phone...go to their website, there are usually better deals for the phone and minutes there rather than going to Walmart. They have a bunch of deals where they double your minutes, etc. If you go to their website you can usually get a nicer phone for less money.

1 mom found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.P.

answers from San Francisco on

Go with a Tracphone. You buy the phone, and then pay $20 for 60 minutes. Those minutes will carryover, but the card keeps it active for 3 months. This is a way cheaper option than using a carrier. Basically $20 every 3 months.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions