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This post is sponsored by Pantech. As always, all opinions and ideas are my own!
Michael received his first cell phone when he was 10 years old.
It wasn’t a necessity, like it is for most kids that age. He wasn’t walking home or staying by himself at home after school. He wanted one more than we had ever seen him want something, and we decided that it was good for our family for different reasons: he could text and message with family across the country, we could start teaching him early how to be digitally responsible, and we could connect with him on a different level. Little did I know that giving him a cell phone would be such a good decision for our family. He did connect with family members, he is learning (slowly) how to be digitally responsible, and it’s fun to text with him while he’s riding the bus or at lunch during school.
Jack will be 10 years old in a few days, and while Michael was mature enough to own a cell phone at 10, Jack isn’t quite there yet. We allowed him to install iMessage on his iPad and he sent 40 or so messages to Michael and several other family members within 30 minutes.
We have, however, started talking about what kind of phone we would get for Jack when the time comes. Michael’s first phone was the Pantech Jest. We loved the simplicity of it, and that it was easy to navigate. Easy for Michael, but more importantly, easy for me. I want to be able to check his phone every night without becoming frustrated.
When Pantech reached out and told me about a new phone they have, the Pantech Vybe, I jumped at the chance to tell you about it. The Pantech Vybe is a durable and easy to use phone for kids, and I highly recommend it as your tween’s first phone.
Purchasing your tween’s first phone is a big deal. You want something that can withstand their backpack and a few accidental drops. Something they can easily use, because what good is a phone that they can’t call or text on? And as I mentioned before, you’ll want something that you can easily navigate. A frustrated parent won’t check a cell phone if it’s too difficult.
Enter the Pantech Vybe.
It’s affordable and easy to use. It’s made to take a few drops and a live in a messy backpack. Sold exclusively at AT&T, you can add it to your monthly rate plan without breaking the bank.
- Slide-out keyboard
- Large touchscreen display
- Quick camera button on the side of the phone
The coolest feature of the new Pantech Vybe? In my opinion, it’s the Dual User Mode, which allows parents to easily access the features/areas they look at most. You can switch back and forth from full mode to easy mode so if your child wants to customize their screen, they can do so.
When it’s time for your tween to get a cell phone, it’s important to give them your expectations. We did this by using a parent/child contract. I have one especially for my teen with a smartphone, and I recently made another one for tweens–perfect for those with new phones. You can download the tween cell phone contract here. Here’s what the contract looks like, but don’t print directly from here. In order for it to be formatted correctly, download the tween cell phone contract here.
If all of these rules aren’t applicable to your tween, that’s ok–pull the ideas that you like and make up some for your home!
Pantech Vybe Giveaway
Pantech has generously given me a Pantech Vybe to give to one of you! To enter:
Mandatory: Leave me a comment on this post saying what rule would be a non-negotiable in your cell phone contract with your child.
Optional: For an additional entry, “like” My Crazy Good Life on Facebook, then leave me a comment telling me that you did (or already do!)
Optional: For an additional entry, “like” Pantech on Facebook, then leave me a comment telling me that you did (or already do!)
Optional: Follow me on Pinterest for the latest information about tweens & technology, parenting tweens and teens, and more! Leave me a comment telling me that you did.
Note: You’ll need to leave a separate comment for each entry. The program I use to choose a winner counts comments, so make sure each entry of yours is a separate comment!
This giveaway ends August 14th at midnight. I’ll contact a winner on August 15th. Good luck!
This post is sponsored by Pantech, who is sending a Vybe phone to one giveaway winner.
6, 13 and 15 are biggies. Thank you for the chance to win.
Already liked you on fb via Missy Marie
Like Pantech on fb via Missy Marie
follow My Crazy Good Life on Pintrest via Missy Schutz
using manners is my favorite, we are pretty strict with manners at my house… and everything else seems to fall in line after that!
No cell phones at the dinner table is non-negotiabl
I would say, I get to see the phone at anytime I ask, at any moment.
I would have a rule of I would have the pass word to everything and no apps that I dont know about
No cell phones at night or at the dinner table.
I like Pantech Mobile on facebook
I already like your page on facebook as amy williams
I follow you on pintrest http://www.pinterest.com/aaltw515/
My rule would be ALWAYS TEXT THINGS THAT YOU WOULD’NT BE ASHAMED TO SHOW GRANDMA!
I like you on facebook! Allyson tice is my FB name!
I follow on Pinterest. http://www.pinterest.com/sunflowerally22/
Not adding numbers would be important to me. I would want to know everyone my kid is calling.
My rule would be that I monitor/supervise my child’s phone and the applications. My child would have the phone with that understanding. Supervision is important.
I follow Pantech Mobile on Facebook.
Rules 2, 6, and 9.
I like Pantech Mobile already