I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Influence Central for Virgin Mobile USA which is one of Sprint’s prepaid brands. I received two Virgin Mobile smartphones to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
With a tween in the house, the “I want a phone” cry has begun to ring through the hallways. At first I was completely against the idea. I mean, I didn’t get my first cell phone until I was in my twenties. I course, when I was Josh’s age, my rotary dial phone was stuck to the kitchen wall so maybe that’s not the best rationale for deciding if he can have a phone or not…
I had a few concerns about Josh having a phone. The first was that he would burn through the entire family’s data on his own. I’m not calling him a data hog BUT he sure does love to watch videos. Another concern was that he would be on the phone 24/7. I had visions of him surfing and texting into the wee hours of the night. Yes, I could confiscate the phone each night before bed but, let’s be honest, I’d probably forget more than I’d remember. My last concern was pretty basic – cost. I was a bit concerned about what adding another line would mean to the overall budget.
Luckily, Walmart offers the Virgin Mobile Data Done Right Multi-line Data Sharing plan.
Honestly, it’s been a while since we looked at anything having to do with mobile phones and the plans you can get so I was pleasantly surprised at how many options are available now. The Virgin Mobile Data Done Right Multi-line Data Sharing plan (available only at Walmart) has features that really appealed to our family:
- An already loaded app allows us to control how mach data is allocated to each of the phones on the plan. There’s no issues with one member of the family burning through the whole family’s data by watching Minecraft videos (hmm – I wonder who might do that??)
- The program has parental controls that allow parents to restrict app access and set usage curfews.
- The ability to access popular social media apps and streaming music without using up any allocated data for just $5 a month. (While Josh is too young to be on Facebook or most other social media networks, his parents both spend enough time on them that this would come in very handy!)
- A free mobile hot spot so we can use other wifi devices.
- Easy peasy one-touch data buy up option that will never leave you hanging.
- No contract plans. No additional monthly line fees. Let that sink in for a minute. Yep – you read that right. And it’s all on the Sprint® Nationwide Network, so you know you’re covered.
We’ve had a lot of fun with the whole data allocation feature and have set up a bit of a reward system for getting chores done.
Each family member has certain chores that need to be done in order to earn gigs of data. The more chores that are done. the more data they have to play with. This has actually gotten better results with the tween than money has! (I think we have found a “currency” that motivates him.)
Connect with Virgin Mobile:
- Virgin Mobile Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/VirginMobileUSA
- Virgin Mobile Twitter Page:https://twitter.com/virginmobileusa
- Virgin Mobile Instagram Page:https://twitter.com/virginmobileusa
- Virgin Mobile Vine Page:https://vine.co/VirginMobileUS
- Virgin Mobile YouTube Page:https://www.youtube.com/virginmobileusa
Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says
My son is 11 and wants a phone SO bad, but he’s got at least 2 years to go before he’s getting one. He’s too young.
Maureen Fitzgerald says
I was feeling the same way, but I really like him having a way to contact me if an activity ends early or gets cancelled. It’s been nice knowing he has it during summer camps, etc. But when he’s out and about, it stays in the gym bag!
Jeanette says
This is a great idea for a phone for kids. My kiddo is way to young yet, but when he does he will have controls on it like you mention here and I LOVE the whole you must earn your data!
Aubrey says
This sounds great. Now that my kids are getting old enough for phones, I have started thinking about plans. Thanks for sharing.
Brett Martin says
I love this idea! My kids kinda of felt they were owed a phone and this would show them it needs to be worked for.
Stefany says
My son has to work for his data as well. Sadly, he is not overly fond of working and hasn’t had it for a few months. This is a great system though and I love a plan that doesn’t draw from the family’s data.
Mistee Dawn says
I just gave my tween her first phone last month. It’s great that they have things like this available.
Amber Edwards says
I am seriously in love with the idea that you can control how much data goes to each phone! That would be perfect for my kid’s first phone! That way I can control and reward with good behavior. I love that you make your son earn data!
Mandi @ Moments With Mandi says
Our plan has unlimited data, so we use time as a reward. 5 minutes here, 5 minutes there for various chores and good reports at school. It definitely helps keep him on track when he knows he has to work in order to use his iPad. (no phone yet)
Autumn @Mamachallenge says
Sounds like a great plan plan for a child’s first phone. I love the idea of working to earn data!
Sabrina @ Dinner, then Dessert says
Your concerns are legitimate! Those teens never seem to put down their phones!
Ourfamilyworld says
These are the concerns most parents worry about. Making them work for it is a good idea.
Ann Bacciaglia says
There are so many great phones and plans available for young kids now. I love this data sharing idea. I would love to see who is using most of our Data. I think it would be my Son.
Tammy Roy says
My kids have also started asking for a cell phone. I am happy there are so many great ways to track what your kids are doing on the phone. Making kids work for data is a great idea.
gingermommyrants says
Chores for data is an amazing idea. I will have to try this with my kids. They just got cell phones and are really racking up the data.
Elizabeth Lampman says
I am going to share this idea with my friends. I love the idea of getting kids to do chores to earn data. Cell phones are not cheap. They should help to pay for it . Even if it is chores.
Kristin Wheeler (Mama Luvs Books) says
I love your reward system! My daughter is in middle school this year and just got her first phone. We’ll see how it goes!
Jennifer Pridemore says
Making him work for his data is such a great idea for a kid his age. It’s great that there’s plans out there like Virgin Mobile.
Tabatha Hurt says
I love that you can allocate the data. Thanks for sharing!