best cell phone/plan for 8 year old

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1

I want to get my daughter a cell phone for safety reasons. She walks home from school and I would just feel better if she had one. What if her key didn't work or she couldn't get into the house for some reason to use the home phone?

Anyway...what is the best way to go? I can't add her to our family plan because it's full. So should I go with one of those prepaid ones? She knows how to text on my phone so the option to text would be nice but not a deal breaker.

What has worked or not worked for you?

2

Try talking to other parents in your city, to see what they use.

I also would suggest not getting those texting things.
Texting kids, in itself, can cause a lot of problems.

One problem I have seen at my kids’ school is:

  1. the kids, give out their phone numbers to anyone who asks for it. They are not taught… to keep their phone number, private and confidential.
  2. Also, once another child has your child’s phone number, or your home number on THEIR cell phone, then, they can call your child or you, and make “prank” calls. This has happened at my kids’ school. Kids that age, some of them, simply are not aware or proper cell phone, behavior.
  3. Kids, also ask, for other kids’ phone numbers, too. Then they put it on their cell phone. And you won’t know, unless you talk to your child or look at their phone too. And do periodic checks of it.

These are problems, I have seen at my kids’ school.
I also know some Moms, who have gotten prank called, from other kids… and they say really rude obnoxious things, to the Mom they called or make fun of other kids. So, rules about your child’s phone and about giving out their phone number, or your home number, has to be… discussed with your child. Prior.

My daughter (who is 10), knows this. Because, I have, since she was very young, taught her about our rules for giving out phone numbers or receiving them. Kids don’t necessarily “ask” their Mom first, before they go about giving out their phone number(s) to others. And before you know it, anyone has their phone number. And then, when another kid has your child’s phone number on their cell phone… THEY also, (without your child knowing), they go about giving out your child’s phone number too. To anyone who they may not even know.

I only say all of this, because… these are some “problems” which I have seen and heard about, at my kids’ school.
Some kids have no sense, or safety or privacy or confidentiality, about their cell phone’s use nor phone number.

Also, per whatever cell phone you or your Husband has, go to your cell phone store and ask them about phones for kids. And about their “family plan.”

3

We decided to put a code key pad on our garage so the kids could always get in no matter what. If I was going to get a cell phone for a child that young I would go with a prepaid plan like those you can get at walmart.
I would also set the parental controls so that the only numbers she could call are yours or else you may see those minutes disappear fast each month.

4

I know there is one at walmart that you can get that is pretty cheep I am not sure the name. You just load it monthly but it’s superposed to be like unlimited mins and text I think. I know one of my friends uses one like that and she likes it. That way you are not locked into a contract.

5

8 year old comes home to empty house every day! I guess a prepaid phone would be the way to go. I really hope she is not alone every day. Way too young. I know u did not ask for my opinion sorry.

6

My daughter has a Boost Mobile pre-paid phone. It has most of the bells and whistles (camera, internet, music abilities, texting, etc…). However, the main reason we chose this one is because it has a GPS Tracker. So, when she is on the way to/from school, at the park, at a friend’s house etc…, we can see exactly where she (the phone) is and has been. You can disable the Internet access. Now, if you don’t want /need the GPS, you can get just a Trac pre-paid phone. Those are good, too… :slight_smile: The Trac Phone was my first cell phone! lol

7

my kids have a reactivated old cell phone of mine, it’s 10$ a month added on to my regular bill.

8

I have the same situation with my daughter she is 8 too. I got her a phone at Walmart for $49 is a go phone with AT&T. (they have phones starting from $19.99) Then I called to actived it and they have diferent plans I use $25 a month for 250 minutes and unlimited text but you can also buy the prepaid cards.

9

Hey -
You might also want to invest in a door lock with a keypad so that all she has to do is know the code to get into the house.

For more money, you can get systems that interact with your phone so that you know when the code has been activated (so you know when she gets home).

Also, I looked into pre-paid phones for my son at one point and you had to buy a pre-paid card every month. If you spend $30.00 on a card and don’t use all of the minutes, it doesn’t matter, they expire at the end of the month. Be sure you are clear on the terms before you invest.

Good luck,
Leigh

10

What about going to the neighbors house to call? That’s what I did when I needed it, and it seemed to be a great solution for me.

I think the safety reason is not legitimate. If she’s being taken, or something along those lines, she’s not going to have time to grab the phone and make a call.

I’d say 8 is too young to be walking alone, and finding afterschool care would be a better bet.

just my opinion.

11

I agree with Molly. 8 is too young to be responsible for a phone, and too young to be walking home by herself.