Cell Phones for Kids?

[DVCLiz]

I know there have been some heated threads about providing pre-teens with their own cell phones. In the August 1 issue of Time magazine, there's an article about a new type of cell phone marketed at this age group (under 13s, I think). These phones can be programmed by parents to call mom, dad, 911 or other specified numbers. Even Disney is going to market with one!!!!!

I was curious how people feel about these. Is this a good thing as opposed to the unregulated use of a regular cell phone, or still something pre-teens should go without?

 

[kelljacques@aol.com]

well my son was just in wdw with his nana.. I would love a cell phone where he can only call us..

 

[zulaya]

They already have them at Target for $99. It's called Firefly. I checked out the features and if my kids were old enough, I'd consider it.

 

[stinkerbelle]

They already have them at Target for $99. It's called Firefly. I checked out the features and if my kids were old enough, I'd consider it.

yeah - I saw this too...it's actually pretty neat.

they can only call 2 stored numbers (there is a 'mom' button and a 'dad' button) and it's a pre-paid service.

also - parents can set up to 20 phone numbers in the phone...and those are the only ones the phone will receive. (so - example - my number isn't on the list - so if I call your kid...the phone won't recognize my phone number and won't let the call ring through) I think this is the best feature of it all.

 

[DVCLiz]

They already have them at Target for $99. It's called Firefly. I checked out the features and if my kids were old enough, I'd consider it.

Yes, Firefly was one of the brands mentioned. I think it's an interesting idea.

 

[kelljacques@aol.com]

They already have them at Target for $99. It's called Firefly. I checked out the features and if my kids were old enough, I'd consider it.

I wonder where you buy minutes from

 

[preb]

I just wanted to bump up this old thread because my DH brought home a flyer today about the Firefly phones for kids and is interested in getting one for our DD. Has anyone bought one yet? Where do you get the minutes from and how much do they cost?

I think it's a great idea and I really would consider it, but I would like to hear from someone who has tried it!

 

[preb]

Adding a link to the info on the phones...they have them at Traget, but it doesn't say anything about buying minutes?

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.htm...189516-5552648?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B000A1GTRW

 

[bsnyder]

Here's the company's website:

http://www.fireflymobile.com/

 

[trappednabox]

I just wanted to bump up this old thread because my DH brought home a flyer today about the Firefly phones for kids and is interested in getting one for our DD. Has anyone bought one yet? Where do you get the minutes from and how much do they cost?

I think it's a great idea and I really would consider it, but I would like to hear from someone who has tried it!

I bought one for my little sister. She loves it, we got it at Target. They have everything you need there. It is a pre-paid phone so you have to refill the minutes. You can either buy the cards, do it online, or you can set it up to have minutes paid for with your cc, they only put the amout you specify after all of there min. are used. I feel a world better knowing she has it in case of an emergency

 

[mom2boys]

I looked at them at Target. My cell phone plan expired last week. DH's expires in two weeks. When DH's is up we will get a shared plan & for $9.99/month we can get an additional phone. I plan to get one to keep on hand. On those rare occassions when are boys are not with us but we'd like to communicate with them, they will take the 3rd phone. I don't plan to give the number out - not even to them. I couldn't justify the cost of the firefly when we have this option available. Our guys are 10 & 11. The oldest is starting middle school. They don't have a whole lot of freedom right now.

 

[trappednabox]

Like the website says, it only has a few buttons, it can only recieve calls from the # in it's phone book. The emergency button has to be held down for 3 sec. b4 it calls so if it just gets bumped or acc. pushed it won't call

 

[LisaR]

I like the idea but I think it needs to be able to call a few more numbers besides two. Maybe it does and I missed that. Their website isn't overly informative.

Lisa

 

[trappednabox]

You can program 20 other numbers, not just the 2 mom and dad numbers
Oh yeah, you have to program the #'s in for the kids, it is code accessed

 

[golfgal]

I looked at them at Target. My cell phone plan expired last week. DH's expires in two weeks. When DH's is up we will get a shared plan & for $9.99/month we can get an additional phone. I plan to get one to keep on hand. On those rare occassions when are boys are not with us but we'd like to communicate with them, they will take the 3rd phone. I don't plan to give the number out - not even to them. I couldn't justify the cost of the firefly when we have this option available. Our guys are 10 & 11. The oldest is starting middle school. They don't have a whole lot of freedom right now.

This is what we have. Our plan allows us to add additional phones for $9.99/month and then the phones share minutes. The extra phone has really come in handy for when the kids are places and need to be picked up. They can call me when they are done. Also, DS is in sports and he can call us when they are close to town after away games and we can meet the bus at the school. He has been very responsible with the phone so far.

 

[LisaR]

You can program 20 other numbers, not just the 2 mom and dad numbers
Oh yeah, you have to program the #'s in for the kids, it is code accessed

So they can not only receive calls from those 20 other numbers but they can call those 20 other numbers as well, right? I like that.

Lisa

 

[Beauty]

John-Cole is on our family plan, his phone is $9.99 per month and an additional $4.95 for text. J.C. has had his phone since the 6th grade. He has NEVER abused it. When he started Jr. High Football, Basketball, and Baseball practice it was so much easier for him to just call me to come get him instead of me sitting out there for 45 minutes waiting.

He does take his phone to school and takes it in the office first thing in the morning and picks it up after school when practice starts. He also takes it to all of the away games that we can't go to. He is manager for the High School so hes gone alot for school. I have never ever once regretted getting him his phone. He does call friends sometimes but he almost always uses text instead and for $5 per month its well worth it.

 

[trappednabox]

So they can not only receive calls from those 20 other numbers but they can call those 20 other numbers as well, right? I like that.

Lisa

Yeah, and those are the only number they can call or get calls from other than 911, I has a special button on the side for 911

 

[callahanjulie10]

I said I never would but when we changed cell services they had the add a phone for $9.95. My DD will be 14 in October and I decided that it would be nice to have a floater phone. If my parents go out of town, they take it- if my DH and I vacation, we take it and leave his cell with his worker- when we go with friends shopping, the girls take it and we call when we are ready to leave the mall or they call when the movie is over, etc. It isn't hers totally but it has come in very useful. I also let her take it if no one else has claims on it!

 

[littleclover]

I also was not a fan of getting my DS11 one but since he had to walk to summer school and camp and back to home, I just wanted a form of comfort. I got him a tracfone and he has been very good about it. I also think he doesn't use it too much since he is a he and not a she.