What kind of mobile phone to get for kids?

[Ichigokun]

KiasuNotEnough:

I thk one of the main issue is self control. Not easy for many kids. Just got a HP for my ds. Though Hv work out some terms n cond w him but realise he can get quite addicted when on a game n Hv to restrain him...

Hmm... The novelty will wear off sooner or later ba. Every time I play a game, I play for like two weeks and I get bored of it

[phankao]

Isn’t the iPhone rather expensive even with a plan? Maybe I’m quite a cheapo. With the plan that is suitable for my usage, I would need to pay like high S$300+ to S$400+ for an iPhone with any of the mobile service providers. And I checked all the student/youth plans, the pricing is similar too.


So, well, I cannot bring myself to buy a phone of that pricing. I only feel comfortable paying no more than S$150 for a handphone with plan. And I don’t feel comfortable buying for myself, certainly I don’t if it’s for my teenagers, much less my primary school kids. So only Dh has an iPhone in our family bc he signs up for Unlimited Plan as it’s highly used as he works too, so that’s fine, and monthly plan subsidised. With unlimited plan the iPhone is less than S$100.

How much do you pay for your iPhones for your children then? I see many secondary and even Primary 1 kids using iPhones, or Samsung Galaxies, or even Blackberry.

[beanbear]

KiasuNotEnough:

I thk one of the main issue is self control. Not easy for many kids. Just got a HP for my ds. Though Hv work out some terms n cond w him but realise he can get quite addicted when on a game n Hv to restrain him...

I agree that the issue is self-control rather than which brand of phone. Smart phones have access to many apps and internet. Do we allow our children to surf internet freely without our supervision? Even if they don't have a data plan, they can still access wifi in many places.

It's also the values that you want to emphasize. The retail price of an iphone or other smartphones go from several hundreds to more than a thousand. If you buy just the iphone without any contract, it's $1,200. Would you let your child carry an item worth $1200? What messages are we sending to our children that they can possess items of high value at school-going age?

[dicky]

Usually we wait till able to upgrade hp, then pass the iphone to children loh… If not get a new cheaper touchscreen phone.

[titank]

Which is the cheapest touchscreen HP? Maybe an android where can counter Apple?

[phankao]

titank:

Which is the cheapest touchscreen HP? Maybe an android where can counter Apple?

Samsung or LG or HTC, all can get for \"Free\" when sign up new plan. I very *stingy*, I have a LG.

[titank]

:imcool: Applications need to pay $$ also can downlaod free?

[TENTEN]

Any idea which is the cheapest prepaid card in the market that doesn’t expire quickly? How soon do prepaid plans expire?


Just need 8 yo DD to have a line to keep handy when she stays back so we can get hold of her in times of urgency.

She will get a basic clamshell phone which won’t even have net access.

[lauragallon222]

Well, In my opinion keep your kids stay away from the phones.






https://www.laptopoutlet.co.uk/mobiles-phones.html

[janet88]

TENTEN:

Any idea which is the cheapest prepaid card in the market that doesn't expire quickly? How soon do prepaid plans expire?


Just need 8 yo DD to have a line to keep handy when she stays back so we can get hold of her in times of urgency.

She will get a basic clamshell phone which won't even have net access.

if the prepaid card doesn't have a free in coming plan, it should be cheaper and lasts longer. prepaid cards expiry would be 6 months...telcos keep changing. what I know is to extend the card expiry, it would be necessary to make a call out once a month. don't know if this is still applicable. check out M1.