Disclosure: This shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. See why I think that my son should have #Phones4School.
I feel like a hypocrite. I really do. You see, I said I would never get a cell phone for an elementary school-aged child. But, things aren’t quite the same as when I originally stated that. Johnny is a busy kid. He has several after school activities he is involved in and has friends he likes to hang out with. The thing about this age is that I don’t have to be present for all of his activities. He is old enough to go alone sometimes. But, that also means that he needs to be able to get in touch with me or his dad. Enter the hypocrisy… I got my 8 year old a cell phone. I knew that I had to find a cheap wireless plan as money is tight and I really wanted an unlimited talk, text, and data plan so we didn’t run into unexpected fees.
We took off to Walmart for a phone. Yes, Walmart has phones and they have lots of them! You really can’t miss them actually as they are in the electronics section of the store and there is a nice big sign pointing you to them. We found the Walmart Family Mobile display and took a look at the phones available.
I had a limit on what I would spend for this phone. I wanted him to have access to the internet (more on that in a bit) but I didn’t want to spend hundreds on that access. I was so excited to see the Alcatel One Touch Fierce on rollback for only $99.88! In addition to the phone, you have to purchase the starter kit for every phone you are activating with Walmart Family Mobile and that costs $25.00.
We headed home with a very excited Johnny. I got online and activated the phone and received his new number. The plan we are under is truly the best deal I have heard of. For just $34.88 a month, you get unlimited talk, text, and web! This applies to the first line of your service only. The setup was super easy and took less than 10 minutes from start to finish. I had already charged his phone so it was time to let him have it.
So why do I give an 8 year old a phone? Well, as I mentioned he is involved in sports and after school activities. Last night he had a volleyball practice at his school.
Before he headed out to his practice though, I wanted him to be able to contact me in case I had to leave. I had both girls with me and knew it was entirely possible that I wouldn’t make it the whole practice with them in tow. We got all of his gear together but this time it also included the Alcatel One Touch Fierce!
Johnny didn’t need to call me because I made it back in time to get him but I feel so much better knowing that he can if he needs to. Being able to be in contact with him for camps, sports, or other activities makes this mom breathe a little easier.
So, what about the phone? Well, it is pretty nice! It was very easy to set up for Johnny and I was able to set the restrictions for searching and internet use right on my Walmart Family Mobile account page. I know that Johnny can’t search for things that he shouldn’t see. But this brings me to reason number 2 why I allow my 8 year old to have a phone. Johnny, as most kids nowadays, uses the internet a lot for school. He can now use his very own phone to get information when he needs it. We have one computer so this is a great thing for our family.
Finally, the third reason I allow my 8 year old to have a phone is simply for communication. We don’t have a landline and I don’t want to give up my phone every time Johnny wants to chat with a friend. He made a new friend at camp this summer and has some friends from school that he likes to talk to. He can now talk or text them from his own phone and mine can be left for my own use. I think that allowing him to be in contact with his friends is important. He can be responsible and call them if he has a question about homework or his sports schedule. He can also call them himself and make plans (with my approval).
I have restrictions on this phone, of course. I am not 100% okay with Johnny having the phone without them. He knows the rules and we will see how he does with it. In the end though, the phone is a great price, the plan is affordable, and my family is happy with the purchase. I would call that a good thing!
Petula says
I’d originally said my three youngest children wouldn’t get phone(s) until at least two of them were in middle school. Now that two of them are old enough to be home alone and they’re all riding the bus I find it much better and safer for them to have access to a phone. (I didn’t have to worry about this when my oldest, now 23, was younger.) They share one phone at this time and I’ve been looking for a less expensive plan. I’d compared Walmart to others and I think I’m going with Walmart. Still not quite cheap enough for me to get everyone a phone, but we’re on our way! Staying in touch with our children right now is so important.
Danielle says
I definitely think it’s smart when our kids are in extracurricular activities and we might not always be with them. It’s more of a safety issue so they can get a hold of us. #client
Stefany says
It is definitely a safety issue. With no pay phones or any way to access a phone except to find someone, it is different than when I was younger. I want Johnny to be able to get in touch with me at anytime!
Rosey says
He sure looks happy to have it! It’s nice to know there are affordable plans for when it’s time to outfit the kiddos with phones!
Stefany says
Thanks for stopping by Rosey!
agatapokutycka says
This is kind of stressful decision to make – kids want phone as most their friends have them but do they really need it? We are not allowing phone at school (totally no need for it), but they get it for after school clubs or any other activities which potential contact with us might not be so easy.
Stefany says
I totally agree with you about school. I will never let Johnny take one to school. There is no reason to have one there at all.
Danielle says
I think my son asked for a cell phone when he was like 5. So I gave him one that wasn’t activated and to my surprise while he was using it in the house it was connected to our wifi and the shop feature still worked and when I got my phone bill with all the google purchases I was beyond mad, at myself.
I am sure your son loves his phone and a prepaid is really a good option 🙂
Stefany says
Oh my Danielle! That would be horrible. I let my girls play with an old phone but I took out the battery. lol
Theresa says
When my 10 year old starts after school activities, we will be getting her a phone too. This day in age, I think it is becoming more the norm for younger kids to have them anyway, especially when those kids can’t be with their parents at all times.
Stefany says
It is scary enough to let my kids go off on their own sometimes. I want to ensure they can get in touch with me when they need to. Johnny is at that age that I know he can handle it and has the need to be without me more.
Kristal says
My youngest brother would freak if he saw this. He’s ten years old and I don’t think my parents are up for getting him a phone yet. However I do agree that the prices are great!
Stefany says
I don’t blame them Kristal. It all depends on a bunch of factors I think. Thanks for stopping by.
Lisa Hodges says
It’s a great way to keep in touch without giving them too much access.
Stefany says
Agreed! Thanks for stopping by Lisa!
Terri Ramsey Beavers says
Tyler and Alyssa both have a phone (9 and 10) and I think they are responsible with theirs. I don’t think every child would be, I’m pretty sure Abby would be calling china or 911 just to talk because she is mischievous like that lol, but when she is more mature, I’ll check out Walmart family mobile. Thank you so much for sharing.
Stefany says
Haha! Yeah, I will see how my girls are as they age too. I know Johnny will be good but my girls may be a different story all together.
Jaime says
I think every kid is different and would handle phones differently. I’m not sure when we’ll allow our son to have a cell phone!
Stefany says
I certainly agree with you Jaime. I didn’t allow my stepdaughter to have one until she was 12. That said, she wasn’t involved in any activities before that and, when we did finally get her a phone was when she did join a group.
Jenn says
I love how inexpensive this is. I have a 7 year old who is going to need a phone soon but I don;t want to spend a fortune!
Stefany says
It really is a good price and they have some cheap phones too!
Michele says
Times have really changed since I was young. If I had children I would surely want to be able to keep in touch with them–Of course, like you I would definitely put restrictions in place. That really is a good price!
Stefany says
We do have the restrictions in place for sure. That is something I think is important for any age child. Thanks for stopping by Michele!
Chantale says
He looks like a happy camper 🙂 It’s good to be able to stay in touch with your kids.
Stefany says
Agreed! He is happy Chantale. Thanks for stopping by!
becca says
thank you for this I need to get son a cell phone because his coordinates in marching band are online now and have been looking for a cheep plan. Do the have family plans for whole familyies to share?
Stefany says
Becca, each plan is individual, which I think is nice. If you have multiple lines on your account, the discount only applies to the first one but even at $39.88 a month for unlimited service, it is significantly cheaper than most other service providers.
Kendra says
We gave our kids cell phones when they joined teams and were away from us. That way they could get a hold of us at any time they needed to without having to find a phone.
Stefany says
Yes! It isn’t like there are phones everywhere now. You don’t see pay phones anymore.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
Oh man, I am SO not letting my 10 year old see this LOL. He has been asking since 3rd grade (so 2 years now) and I told him that he had to wait until middle school, which is next year. I know other kids have them, but I am not ready yet….
Stefany says
Yeah, I hear ya on that. We are dealing with him wanting to have it all the time so we have had to put a lot of restrictions on it.