At what age should a parent start allowing thier child to take responsiblity over thier cell phone bill? ?

Question

I ask for a general opinion for when you feel a child should start paying for thier cell phone bill. I believe that a child in college should be paying for thier own, to help build credit, face the onslaught of bills in the real world, and take responsibility. If they can't afford it due to irresponsibility then they don't need it. I feel that parents hovering and paying all the bills, sets up the child for a very harsh reality check. Building trust adn letting them take on something like a freaking cell phone bill is small compared to the ones waiting for graduation day.

My point, college kids should pay for thier bills, children in highschool or younger, can on the parents plan.

your thoughts please!

Answer 1

I think when they have a job then they can take over their OWN cell phone bill.They need to have their own plan though. The parents can request that the child's phone bill be seperate from their own (since they can't technically have their own until they are 18) so they can see what they owe and pay it out of their check. I think no matter what age they are as long as they have a job to pay for it they should be able to take over their own bill for a cell phone. and I absolutely agree with you about teaching them responsibility for bills,because when they move out they can not depend on mommy and daddy dishin out money for their child's electric bill and cable bill because the child does not know how to have the responsibility to take care of it themselves. They need to have a bit of understanding how the REAL world works.When I was 17 me and my b/f(husband now) moved into our own apartment and did it solely on our own with a daughter...so I know if I can take care of my responsibilities PLUS a child and a husband then anyone can take care of their own as well.

Answer 2

Im 14 and im paying my own bill,I have a sidekick and that bill is very big,but I try my hardest to pay the price every month.and I learn if I don't  pay on time or something like that,My phone gets shut off by the company and it's fair.it teaches me responsibility as my grandparents like to tell me.

Answer 3

I think if they are working then they can pay there on bill it will teach them how to manage there money and not go over there minutes

Answer 4

i think when they get a job.. but not past 18

Answer 5

My children can have a phone when they start paying their own phone bill.

We have no need for them to have one, so why bother buying them one. If they act responsible with it, they obviously aren't mature enough to have one in the first place.

I agree with you many parents are setting their kids up for failure in this harsh world, with money. When I got my first mobile for work, a *friend* got one too. In the first month she clocked up a $5000 bill. It was disgusting, and her parents bailed her out & left her with the phone.

It's been 6 years and she has been in the debt collectors at least 3 times, for matters over a $1000.

Answer 6

I think that college would be a good age.  I began paying for mine as soon as I got a job (16).  

Answer 7

College kids pay for enough things. Unless you are paying for all their other expenses, you should want the best for your child and not want them to go into debt if you are able to prevent it.

Answer 8

I think once the child is no longer a child and turns 18 they should have to pay for their cell phone use age. I think it helps the kid to see hey i need to pay this monthly and i can't be partying all the time and i need to start saving my money. I agree with you. (:

Answer 9

when  they r allowed to enter in to the work force they should at the very least help with a portion that grows each year until they are on their own.

Answer 10

First job after 18.

Answer 11

When they turn 18 and get a job.

Answer 12

For mine, I'll pay until they get out of college because their job is to be in school and do well and not to worry about bills. But, if they want to be irresponsible, I don't see why I would continue to pay. My thing is, it isn't enough to be in school, I want to see straight A's and a job will take away from educational time.

Answer 13

I have always paid for my cell phone...I got my first one when I was 16 and I got a pre-paid one and bought my minutes with my allowance. Then when I got a job my aunt put my cell phone plan in her name but I still paid the monthly bill.  

Answer 14

The moment they are given one, the moment they should start to pay for it.

(their not thier)

Answer 15

My oldest daughter has been begging me for a cellphone (she's 14).  But, I hold firm to the statement I told her and the statement which is my answer to your question:

You can have your own cellphone when you can pay for it yourself.

Of course, if she's going somewhere with friends where there aren't public phones, I allow her to use my phone - but I think it's unnecessary for her to have her own at this point.  

Answer 16

I was paying for my own cell phone since the day I got one, that was part of the agreement for me having one. My parents told me that if I was responsible enough to pay for it then I was responsible enough to have it. At first I started out with one of those pre-pay phones and worked my way up to a regular one. I don't think that children who are not in high school need a cell phone period. They are mostly with their parents and if they need to be picked up someone else will have a phone they can borrow for 2 seconds so I don't see the need for someone under the age of 13 to have one.