Anyone get one of those Firefly phones for their kids?

[Deb in IA]

They were in the Target circular this week, and I saw an advertisement on TV today. They are being marketed as a "starter" cell phone for kids. It has no numerical keypad, but only has a couple of buttons you program for Mom and Dad -- and 911. And it's a pay-as-you-go plan.

So, anyone have one, or plan to get one?

 

[Deb in IA]

Here's what they look like:

http://www.mobiletracker.net/archives/2005/07/12/firefly-kids-phone

I don't know. $99 seems a bit pricey, especially when you can do an add-on with an existing family plan for less . . .

 

[Barb D]

My DD12 and DS14 have their own cell phones. We got them free and each phone adds only $10 a month to our family plan. All our minutes between cell phones are free. This made the most sense for our family.

Maybe for a younger kid (or one who can't be trusted to use the phone responsibly) the Firefly would be a good idea.

BTW, DS's cell phone took a Gatorade bath when his water bottle broke in his gym bag. The cell phone was destroyed. It was insured, but they're charging us a $35 deductible. A new one is in the mail.

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

I had considered getting this as a present for my DD who will be 9 on Sat. She dosen't need(she dosen't go anywhere without us), but I thought it would be cute. We decided to get her another American Girl doll instead. Maybe for Christmas

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

$99 seems awfully pricey. We very occasionally let DD10 and DS8 borrow one of our phones, under very specific circumstances. When the time inevitably comes when they actually need one regularly, we're likely to get an extra family phone on our existing plan. That would be $10 a month I think, with unlimited calls to our other phones and using our pooled minutes.

Although the "no number pad" feature sounds nice for really young kids, why would a kid that young need a phone? We didn't find it difficult to teach ours how to operate a standard one, which of course has numbers programmed right in.

 

[Rafiki Rafiki Rafiki]

I just got DD15 a cell phone last week, and it's going to cost us about $20/month extra after paying the insurance premiums on it. We use Sprint.

I wonder how much the minutes cost on the firefly.

 

[KimandBrian]

That price does seem a little steep since so many phones are "free" these days.
Do you like the fact that the phone can only dial saved numbers? Most cell phones have that option automatically- "Call Restrictions" is what it's called.

 

[powellrj]

My dds friend called her on sunday after she saw the ad and said she was going to get one. Now dd wants one to. Her db has a trac phone, so when she is ready thats what we will get her.

 

[Lynn CC]

My neighbor got one for her DS who is going into 4th grade. He's out riding bikes a lot now with friends, at the baseball, basketball field etc. Although he's with friends she thought it was a good idea to have him carry it with him just in case! Parents feel safer and kids think it's cool!

 

[momof3disneyholics]

99 dollars seems so pricey for a cell phone, even a prepaid one. I actually gave my 8 year old son my old cell phone this summer and programed the numbers he needs in it and taught him how to use it. He has actually been very responsible with it. I think it is a good idea in case of an emergency or if he needs me right away for him to have it.