Enabling prompt communication, offering access to a multitude of worthwhile apps, and unlocking a number of entertainment options to boot, cell phones have cemented their status as a major part of contemporary society.
In part because of their prevalence and many features, mobile devices are increasingly common for children and adolescents. According to some studies, more than half of the U.S. population receives a smartphone by age 10, with that number jumping to 95% by age 14.
To help those searching for the perfect cell phone and the perfect plan, here’s a quick look at why prepaid phones are ideal for kids.
Table of Contents
1. From a Cost Perspective, Prepaid Phone Plans Are Well-Suited for Minimal Use
It’s not unusual for children to use phones to play games, try new apps, and stay in contact with family members. For obvious reasons, though, younger phone owners make fewer calls than adults.
Consequently, from a financial perspective, there are often substantial savings associated with using a prepaid plan (thereby paying only for actual texts sent and calls made) as opposed to an unlimited plan.
2. Prepaid Phones Are Generally Less Expensive
From a pricing perspective, prepaid phones’ overall costs are far lower than those of cutting-edge devices. Especially because of the considerable wear and accidents that all electronics face at the hands of younger owners, prepaid devices make excellent starter phones.
3. Prepaid Phones Are Accessible and Easy to Use
When it comes to phone use – making calls, sending messages, and more – prepaid devices are ideal for kids. In short, the phones, though reliable and equipped with all the main features, have simple and straightforward interfaces.
This means kids won’t be overwhelmed during regular use, and they’ll also pick up valuable phone knowledge that will prove useful well into their adult years.
4. Prepaid Phones Help Prevent Service Disruptions
Cell service providers bill traditional packages (like unlimited talk and text, for example) on a monthly basis. As many customers have found out the hard way, failing to pay on time, whatever the reason, will result in a suspension of service.
To put it mildly, abruptly losing access to cell service can leave one – and especially young users – between a rock and a hard place. But with prepaid plans, customers purchase calling minutes and text messages themselves, which carry over from month to month and can easily be refilled online.
In other words, it’s easier to plan and monitor usage on prepaid phones, and the advantage comes in handy on multiple levels for kids.
5. Prepaid Phones Have Better Coverage Than Ever
Admittedly, years back, prepaid phones and plans didn’t necessarily boast the same coverage as big-provider alternatives. Dead zones, dropped calls, and unsent text messages were relatively common.
But now, multiple cell-tower upgrades later, that coverage is excellent. Kid and adult users alike can rely on devices to communicate and access the web on their own terms.
6. Prepaid Phone Providers Offer a Variety of Affordable Plans
Last but not least, every child – and every child’s phone preferences – is different. Today, prepaid phones boast a wide selection of plans, which can in some instances be tailored to the customer’s unique budgeting needs.
For young users, that means parents can get the best of both worlds: affordable service and reliable coverage for their children.