Mobile phone for youngster

[ATTILADHUN]

My son is going to a secondary school soon. I was thinking to get him a mobile phone in order for him to let me know his whereabout. I was thinking whether to get him a phone with 'pay as you go' plan. Is it a good idea?

Given that he always lose his stuff at school, I need something that I can rely on him to look after it.

[cazzz1975]

there used to be more phone boxes around when i was a kid so i can see the value in having a cheap phone tucked away especially if there is a significant distance to and from school or you are at work or out of the house. I would go for a cheap phone, try and go for a deal that doesnt put the heat on you if you dont top up after 30 days, I think 3 dont penalise you for not topping up religiously which would allow him to top up when he runs out rather than routine top ups.

[ATTILADHUN]

I don't agree for children to have phone especially if they want to compare with their friends who's got the better apps and bla bla bla, can't stand this... and also why does the children in the primary school need one!!
I have told my son that if need a phone, he have to earn it by passing his exam. All I'm going to get him a cheap one, haven't said that to him. Sound like everybody agree PAYG is the way forward for the children to keep in touch with their parent. Am definitely going to Asda for this!!

[ATTILADHUN]

Cazzz1975 - minimum call cost from a phone call is 60p, if lucky to get the person you need speak to. If you want to leave a message, 60p is not enough!!!

[hc4361]

It's a shame that you can't get a mobile that will call nothing but 2 or 3 preset numbers and 999 and these were the only phones allowed in school.

[ATTILADHUN]

hc4361 - couldn't agree more!!!

[sherrardk]

Boy #1 has an iPhone (himself's old one) but rarely remembers to take it to school with him. I would like him to take it everyday as the school is about 9 miles away and I would like him to be able to contact me if he needed to. For example, the bus could break down and he could be late home - I would feel happier if he phoned/texted to say he was going to be late.

[joko]

i would get a cheap contract one... but make sure he pays. it will give much more usage.

i pay £10.30 a month, and 100 mins, 3000 texts, 1gb internet and a free blackberry phone...
with virgin.

[joko]

on payg you could spend £10 in a few days...

[ummmm]

You can get some great deals now. Mine have unlimited texts for £5 a month. It just means they send 'can you ring me?'

[EDDIE51]

I walked 3 miles to school since age 5 and home again as every other kid did.
No cars no phones just 2 phone box's on the estate , until age 12 ( in 1963 ) I didn't know anyone who had a car or a phone , then if you were 'Posh' and had a phone everyone used to come round and ask if they could use it , any one else remember those days ? My gran had a fridge , very Posh in the 1950s she used to keep the milk for half the street in hot weather .

[ummmm]

My Grandad was the first landlord in town to have a freezer....so he could charge for ice :-)

[ATTILADHUN]

Eddie - I remember those day... we use to borrow the phone from our neighbour to call our dad who work in the city... Happy days!!!!

[LoftyLottie]

Just thinking about the old 'party lines' where you could hear the neighbours conversations.

[Ric.ror]

Its only a phone - its not his first edition of Playboy or whatever
Get him one I think some networks allow calls to a nominated number even when he has run out of credit
Then wait until he never stops ringing to be picked up :-/
Thats parenthood folks