How many megabytes data is your child's typical use on a phone?

[mrudman]

I have an 11 yo and 13 yo dd's who are begging for an Iphone. Now they both have basic phones right now that we have the pay-as-you-go plan through PTEL.

This has really worked out well for us because it's only 2 cents per text and 5 cents per minute talk-time. In the time that they've had their phones (4 months for younger dd and about 16 months for older dd), I've only had to pay about $5 per month on average.

But now that I'm debating getting them an Iphone, they'll be using the data now, which is 10 cents per MB.

I've tried using the calculators you can find online to see how much data they'd be using, with looking at websites, listening to pandora, etc. But I have no idea if what I'm predicting is even close to being accurate.
At this time, the sites are estimating they'd use about 1 GB per month each. Does that sound right? They really don't use their phones much though, so I have a feeling I'm totally off. And most of their downloading/browsing is going to be under WIFI so won't be using up the data.

But even so, at 10 cents per MB, if they do use 1 GB like the sites say they might, that'll be $100 per month! That just sounds crazy expensive to me.

I have visited some contract sites, such as Verizon and AT&T, but those will cost me about $50 per month per phone, no matter if they use the phone or not. That's why I'm hoping to go with a pay-as-you-go plan.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[sksjasams]

My DS15 was that last kid in our carpool to get a smart phone. I am the last parent, but still don't have one! He got one for Christmas from his grandma. He is allowed 2gb of data per month. That is also what all the other kids in carpool have.

I have heard some of the kids talking that they went over and parents were not happy, so now I think they just stop using data when they get close to the limit.

DS has not had any trouble managing his data. He switched his phone to 3g which uses less data, and he just keeps an eye on it. He knows going over is not an option, especially with such a generous gift from his grandma.

The thing is with your girls, I think they will use how ever much they are allowed. You can't really estimate how much they will use based on what they use now, because they really have access to nothing now.

I would keep looking for a more affordable monthly plan with a set amt of data. Maybe try virgin mobile? I seem to remember they had a pretty affordable plan. Otherwise, if you are set on pay as you go, you will just need to set a limit and ask them to stick to it.

Good luck!

 

[pryncess527]

At this time, the sites are estimating they'd use about 1 GB per month each. Does that sound right? They really don't use their phones much though, so I have a feeling I'm totally off. And most of their downloading/browsing is going to be under WIFI so won't be using up the data.

But even so, at 10 cents per MB, if they do use 1 GB like the sites say they might, that'll be $100 per month! That just sounds crazy expensive to me.

I think this part is key. DH and I both have iPhones on a shared plan and last month we used 0.176 GB of data. With us both having access to free wi-fi at work, school, and home my actual data needs are almost non-existent.

 

[sksjasams]

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phone-plans/beyond-talk-plans/overview/

Here is the virgin mobile chart. You could get 300 min talk, and "unlimited" text and data for $35/mo. I put quotes around unlimited, because there really is a limit, but it says its 2.5gb. I know for my DS, 300 talk min would be more than enough, because he mostly texts.

With no contract phones, you will pay more for the phones. They have the iPhone 5s for $439, 5c for $359 or 4s for $279. The other thing to consider is how their coverage is in your area.

 

[tmarquez]

My 11yo has 300MB on her plan. Of course she tries to use wifi whenever possible.

If she goes over it is $20 for I think another 300 MB and she would have to pay it. But she has never gone over. She is responsible for and watches her data use.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

My kids go through alot. We share 8g between 3 of us and normally go through 95% of it each month.

They use it watching Youtube videos alot when they don't have access to wi-fi.

I barely use it unless I'm traveling.

 

[Brewersprts]

I typically don't go over 2gb and while I use wifi at work and at home, I use my iphone a lot while not on wifi. I stream pandora or YouTube while at the Y and on my hour long trips to work and back.

 

[RitaE]

I have one kid who on the highest month would only use 400 to 500MB and then one kid who hit the 2.5GB throttle limits almost monthly.

When they start streaming video and Pandora or another music service off of cells data and not WiFi, it shoots through the roof.

I know there are some Apps you can put on phones to monitor the usage but if you are really worried about it, I strongly suggest going with one of the Prepaid other other plans that do not let your teens run up a bill. There are so many low cost PrePaid wireless plans out there now that are great choices.

 

[mom2cinderella]

I have one kid who on the highest month would only use 400 to 500MB and then one kid who hit the 2.5GB throttle limits almost monthly.

Ditto!

Fortunately DH put in a wireless router at Christmas - problem solved!!

 

[tinkerone]

i think i'm the minority here. i have a corporate plan which has data but i'm not sure how much. my contract is up on the 17th of this month and i am going to a talk and text plan only. this will more than cut my bill in half. i figure with all the wifi sites now i really don't need the data and as i'm now retired, i don't need to keep the corporate plan.
i'll see how it works out.

 

[JanaDee]

Both my kids have iphones, as do I. They both use about 1 GB a month, sometimes up to 2.5 GB between them.

 

[wiigirl]

I typically don't go over 2gb and while I use wifi at work and at home, I use my iphone a lot while not on wifi. I stream pandora or YouTube while at the Y and on my hour long trips to work and back.

Same here.

 

[cathyce2]

My DD has only had her iphone since Christmas but so far is averaging 1GB per month. She has 3GB and knows she will have to pay for any overages. I'm anxious to see how much it goes up when she's out of school for spring break next week.
DH uses just under 1GB per month and I use 2-2.5 per month.

 

[MinnieForMe]

I just ordered that Virgin Mobile $35 plan today for my son. I asked about the 2.5GB and this was their response:

All our Beyond Talk Plans include unlimited data however, if you have reached the established threshold for your plan, your speeds will be reduced to 256 kbps or below for the remainder of your monthly cycle. Speed will be restored once a new plan is purchased.You will get the unlimited data with the plan. There are no overage charges even if you will exceed the 2.5GB/3.5GB of 3G data or 10GB of 4G data.

I don't know if it will help anyone. I'm new to the world of data too so it's as clear as mud to me.

 

[pigletto]

Dd has 2gb and it's pretty typical for her to ask me to send text messages instead of iMessages at the end of the month because she's at her data threshold. She is very good about monitoring it, and has never gone over. She knows when she's out she's out and that she will be paying the overages.

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

We currently have Verizon, and 3 of us have unlimited data but my son, who has an iphone, has 2 gb. He uses wifi at home and routinely bumps up against the 2gb of data cap. I think the biggest drain, maybe, is that he won't use the school's wifi because he says it's terrible.

My daughter, who is at college, uses a crazy amount of data, between needing to use apps for her nursing clinicals and getting poor internet from her cable company, and being too busy to get it seen about. Last month she used over 8 gb. In one month!

 

[MrsPete]

None. We may be the last family on the planet who doesn't have smart phones, but I don't care. It's far from a need, and too many kids are addicted to them.

 

[disneyfab]

We have t-mobile. The extra line is $10 plus taxes and fees per month. We share minutes and unlimited text. The line comes with 200mb of data free. After that, there is no charge, but the speed is extremely slow, think dial-up speed.

My child primarily uses wifi and rarely goes over that limit.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

SO, myself and DS14 have Verizon and we share 8 gb a month. We come in around 6.8-7.5gb every month.

Of that I use around 1-2, DS uses 1-2 and SO uses around 3-4. SO streams his music while at work and there's no wifi there. That's where most of the data comes in.

We have Wifi at home, I have wifi at work but SO doesn't have wifi at work.

DD has an ipad mini but she only has wifi access.