Two Way Radios Vs Cell Phone

[MDTerrapin]

My soon to be 10year old has asked for a cell phone. I don't feel he needs on now and I also don't feel he is responsible enough. We are looking into two way radios for both our boys. My thought is if they are at the playground or playing at a friends in our development I can reach them. Does anyone have recomendations for a two way radio? Or do you have thoughts on pay as you go phones?

Thanks,
Karen

 

[disneystacy]

I would get them pay as you go phones. This way (god forbid) they get into trouble then can call the police. imo 2 way phones are not always reliable. We used them on a cruise once and they were poor at best.

 

[musicmama]

We tried 2-way radios about 5 years ago, when DD (then 10) wanted to go biking through the neighborhood and I wanted to be able to let her know it was dinnertime, etc. I didn't want to give her my cellphone in case it got lost.

Picked a channel and sub-channel that had no "traffic" and set them; DD went out biking for awhile and I called her and then -- bam -- the verbal filth that got spewed out from the radio was just awful. Apparently, some people get their kicks from trolling the channels and sub-channels to find out who might be using them. Ugh.

We put the radios away and they have never seen the light of day again.

For that age and responsibility level, I'd buy a cheap prepaid phone.

 

[JB2K]

Get the best of both worlds with Boost Mobile (prepaid cell phone + unlimited walkie-talkie access on the Nextel network for $1 on the days you use it).

http://www.boostmbile.com

Handsets with starter airtime can be had for under $30 at Target.

 

[kellia]

I got dd a Virgin Mobile, only $15 every 90 days was plenty of minutes for her use at that age. The radios (Motorolla, not cheapies) were supposed to have a 5 mile range, but barely made it down the street. And if she was inside a friend's house, they didn't work at all. Our sub is kind of hilly, not sure if that interfered.

 

[janni518]

We tried the radios. The one time my kids really need help they didn't work We started our kids on pay as you go phones, it's a good alternative. Although with family plans now it may be cheaper just to add them on and lots of companies now offer free phones.

Scary now that since everyone has cell phones pay phones are next to impossible to find.

 

[dimimi]

We bought our son a cell phone when he was 10. We didn't think he needed one...of course! BUT, it has been handy. We use it a lot. When he goes for a bike ride or to a friend's house, we can check on him easily. Believe it or not, many of his friends have one.

We left him at our pool with some friends. He had his phone in his swim suit pocket. Well...that phone went swimming! At 10 they do make mistakes! Now I have to say I have made silly mistakes with my phone too!

Oh, I put a lock on the phone so he couldn't download any games/music/ringtones. We learned after my first son did !