A cell phone question in two parts

Frightened Inmate #2

a) Any one have any experience with MetroPCS, specifically the Atlanta area people.

b) What potential problems could I run into by getting my almost 14 y.o. daughter her own phone. Mostly I'm concerned that we'd never know who she was talking to anymore. It's not that we know every last one of them now, but if she had her own phone, we'd be completely clueless.

Member

I'll tackle B. First off, her having a cell phone gives her instant safety in those situations where she doesn't know what to do...etc.

You could think about prepaid service. It's just a bit more costly but at least it's controlled then.

If you put her on some kind of plan that nights and weekends that start at 7pm, you could 'train' her to wait until 7 to make her calls. Plus, you will receive detailed billing every month so you'll know EXACTLY who she is calling and when she is calling them.

good luck!

Big Daddy

a) No.
b) Phone Bill and/or she may need medical attention for ear cramp. Smile

Frightened Inmate #2

I'm thinking about ditching the land line and going for the "cellular family". The 14 y.o. would want/need unlimited minutes. It's mom and dad that don't have any friends and could get away with pre-paid phones. Neutral

Excelent

With B

The phone bill will have detail of whom she called and for how long. It doesn't tell you who called her though. You could also look at the phone itself and check the incoming and outgoing phone numbers

Member

Member

Am I the only one that thinks 14 sounds a little young to have a cell phone?

Member

Member

I understand the argument that it feels young. On the other hand, 14 is just into the age where getting in trouble could really be limited by having a phone on hand.

You could make sure she knows that's really what it's for, and the other stuff is a fringe benefit, and if a situation comes up in which a phonecall to you would have helped a lot but never came, the bennies will be gone.

Frightened Inmate #2

We're having problems with our land line right now and we're going to have to pay to get it fixed. Land line = $40ish / mo.

Two cell phones (one MetroPCS and one pre-paid) = about $55 / mo.

Being @ school with the phone is one of my 'issues'. I think we'd make her leave it at home during school.

Member

well, instead of a cell phone....i'd like a beeper on my 8 yr old. When I get in the parking lot to pick him up. I'd like it to go off and flash "get your butt outside or mom is leaving".

Member

Member

All of my nieces and nephews have phones. The youngest is 8 the oldest is 13.

Their parents all have disposable income too.

Sheldon

Hipster Doofus

a) No

b) See Shelf's reply. Especially about detailed billing.

Kermitologist

i havent heard anything good about the metro PCS in the area...

i agree with shelfie, get a prepaid plan so that the phone isnt glued to her ear. or only let her have it when shes going out...

if youre worried about who shes calling, cant you look at the call history? even the least advanced phone i had would let me see the last 10 numbers that called me and the last 10 that i called...