What's the BEST Cell Phone service for KIDS and keeping prices down?!

[DarkFudge2000]

Folks,

I have a Blackberry with AT&T but I want to get my 12yr old kid a cell phone for CHristmas. But I know he'll run me thru the poor house with crazy talk times and minutes usage so I want to know what you all think would be the BEST phone service provider if I want to meet as many of these requirements as I can:

1. good phone but included in plan

2. Ability to set a minutes limit then the phone service stops so he cant run my bill up

3. Or the ability to add a top 5 caller list that he can call for free regardless of service they have

4. affordable monthly plan

5. ability to turn off text messaging

 

[KoolDrew]

Get a Virgin Mobile phone or something similar. You can set up a monthly plan and when they run out of minutes, no cell phone.

 

[Wonderful Pork]

I second getting a pre-paid phone because there is no way you can run up the bill. Put on $20 (or whatever) per month and thats it.

EDIT:

I remember seeing a commercial for T-Mobile which has online minute modification and stuff where you can divide up a family plan on the fly for different numbers, so you might want to check that out. Also, T-Mobile has the My Favs or whatever so you can add 5 numbers for unlimited calling..but I'd still go with a pre-paid. Maybe a T-Mobile prepaid if they include the above features?

 

[shortylickens]

Anything prepaid. When they run out, it shuts off. No worry about spending too much or getting one of those suprise 400 dollar phone bills.

I recommend one of the simple flip motorolas or LG's from Tracfone. They've always been good to me and are reasonably priced if you dont gab for a hundred minutes everyday.

Make sure your kids understand that too. If they talk like housewives they will burn up their time and then thats it.

 

[corkyg]

Cricket prepaid.

 

[dainthomas]

Text

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: dainthomas
Firefly Mobile

This.