These days, teenagers tend to have a cell phone more often than pocket change, and kids are getting their first phones earlier each year. As a matter of fact, the average age that a child receives that first phone has dropped dramatically in the last five years alone, from nearly adulthood down to the early teen years. Choosing a teenager’s first cell phone is not a matter of walking into a major cell phone retail store and grabbing the cheapest thing you see, though.
1. 
What will the phone be used for primarily? Phones are now capable of a wide variety of functions, from basic talking capabilities to surfing the Internet and downloading music. Many phones have unique functions that are brand-specific, and it will cost less to buy a phone that is geared toward what your teenager will do with it most. Otherwise, you will find yourself hit with astronomical fees.
To start, sit down with your teenager and talk about what he or she wants to do with the phone. It may mean setting some limits—with penalties for not staying within the agreed upon limitations—but this is a great way to find out what packages you may need to research more fully. Examples include text messaging, video messaging, picture messages, music or movie capabilities, Internet access, Bluetooth connection, and similar ideas.
2. What type of agreement are you looking for? Many cell phone retailers offer one- and two-year contracts in exchange for a deep discount on the price of the phone. Choosing a phone based on the agreement tends to limit the number of phones available without extra cost, especially if you want a short contract or no contract at all. If you cancel the contract before the end of the agreement you could be forced to pay hundreds of dollars.
Let your teenager know that he or she may be responsible for the monthly costs associated with the cell phone. This teaches responsibility and most cell phone carriers charge $10 or less for the extra line if you choose a “family” package. You could use lawn care, babysitting, housework, or even good grades as a method for earning the cell phone, and if your teenager does not follow the rules the phone privileges can be revoked.
3. How much can you reasonably afford to spend? There are dozens of unique phone styles available, each with interesting functions that appeal to the average teenager. Unfortunately, they often come with a price tag, and your first step, before you even mention a phone to your teenager, should be to figure out how much you can spend on this venture. There will be start up fees involved, from activation fee to the cost of the phone and minutes or extra features, and these will be reflected on your next bill in most cases.
Think of it this way: there is no point in telling your children options that they cannot choose. This is not fair to them! Do your homework before they know that you are considering a phone for them, and be prepared to tell them what you can afford to offer, from text messaging to picture mail and Internet access. Keep in mind that there is nothing wrong with trading one extra for another, such as giving up one reward for extra phone options. There is also nothing wrong with canceling an extra if it is not working out.
4. Whatever you choose together, be specific about the consequences of not following the rules. For instance, many parents require that the teenager keep the cell phone on whenever they are hanging out with friends so that they can keep in contact. There are also rules about not using the phone during school hours and requirements for answering whenever Mom/Dad call. In addition to great rules like these, be very specific about what will happen for infractions.
Parents face the possibility of massive cell phone bills when teenagers do not follow the rules, so there should be consequences in case of minute overage, too many texts, excessive Internet usage, unauthorized downloads, and similar circumstances. Being forced to pay the difference can solve the problem quickly for most teens, as can turning off extra privileges and sticking to talking only. If you are unwilling to take away the phone for safety reasons, consider a phone that will only allow calls to and from specific preprogrammed phone numbers.
Born in 1980, Melanie Wymer is the parent of four active children and the owner of one basic cell phone, which she did not get until age nineteen. She is a staff writer for rangehoodhq.com, specializing in a variety of range hoods for the modern kitchen.
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