How to Keep a Teenager's Cell Phone Bill Low

Make a deal and stick to it.

A teenager with a cell phone can be a parental nightmare waiting to happen if you do not take preventative measures. Being a teenager to some can mean not paying attention to silly things like rate plans, limitations on minutes and how much that download actually costs. It is up to you as the parent to make all the necessary adjustments and rules, and then to enforce them.

Things You'll Need

• Cell phone
• Cell phone rate plan
• Prepaid cell phone

Instructions

Check the Plan

1. Research your rate plan carefully and make sure that there are no exceptions to the plan. Often there are things that your teen might do that will cost way more then you realized. If you take the time to research the plan you are on carefully, then you can avoid these issues before they happen.

2. Inquire about plans that include everything. If you can get a truly unlimited plan, then it is not a bad idea to consider it. If the rate is reasonable in comparison to one huge bill from your teenager, then sign up for it.

3. Check with the cell phone provider about features on the phone that can be disabled. Many cell phones today have a shut down feature for the texting, as well as the Internet usage for the phone. If your teenager is out of control, utilize these features. Keep in mind that today's teenager is technically advanced and can probably run rings around you with the cell phone.

4. Review with your teenager what the limits and expectations are. If you are limiting them to 400 minutes, for example, explain that they will lose the phone if they go over. Make sure that your teenager understands every detail of what costs and what does not.

After you Give Your Teenager the Cell Phone

1. Monitor your teenager closely. If they are constantly on the phone, and you are certain they are going over their minutes allotted, then take away the cell phone. They will learn very quickly that you mean business, and they will not want to be without their cell phone.

2. Consider tying the cell phone to their allowance. For example, you might give your teenager a dime for every minute they have left over at the end of the month. Take away a dollar for every minute they go over.

3. Make your teenager buy or replace broken phones. Buy them the first one, and let them know that future phones will be up to them. If they break it, they replace it. Stick to your guns.

4. Allow your teenager to use the phone only when you give it to them for emergency use. Again, use this method if your teenager can not be responsible with the phone.

5. Sign up for the plan that only allows certain numbers to be dialed in or out. This plan is available at most major cell phone companies. This plan still allows for emergency contact, and nothing more.

6. Buy them a pre-paid cell phone with a limited number of minutes as a last resort. If they can not use the cell phone responsibly, this will force them to learn to use the minutes wisely.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not turn a teen loose with a cell phone and no direction.

• Do not allow your teen to talk you out of your rules.

• Do not depend on phone features to keep your teen under control.