Teenagers and mobile technology

[ramblingsidrumpo]

My son (16) is asking for the new iPhone 5c. I'm not sure what to do - my other kids (12 and 14) have contracts; my daughter has a BlackBerry, and my other son has an iPhone 4s. I'm happy to pay for their contracts (£15.50 each, per month), but my eldest son wants the 5c. The contract he wants is £33.97pm, and is happy to pay the difference if I pay £15.50. There are two problems with this:

1. I don't know where he got the money from, and I don't know if he can get all of it, despite his pleas and assurances that I'll get six months up-front payment.
   
2. He rarely helps out at home. I understand why he can't help during the week - we planned his routine, and it's impossible to fit 'chore' time in. On the weekends though, he can do seven hours. He suggested the times he was free on the weekend, so he's prepared to help.
   
   So my question is:
   
   Should I give him what he wants?
   
   
   I'm not sure what to do - suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
   

[lukebsf1]

Personal advice here however there is no point getting that contract. It seems awful value. You can get top range android phones for £25 a month.

He may be saying, oh well its cool to have an iphone. Agreed at secondary school there is that kind of view, however at sixth form there is alot less of that from peers (In my experience anyway) so the paying extra for the brand is no longer really "worth it".

Of if he is set on an iphone, buy the 5, it has the same internal spec as the 5C and you can get it much cheaper.

[louby44]

My DP has just had an iphone for and got it on contract with O2 for £28 per month.

You can get android phones loads cheaper. Both my DSD have cracked the screens on their iphones. I just don't think kids are responsible enough. My experience is that they promise the world but then once they have the object of their desire the promises soon get forgotten!

But its your call!

[bigTillyMint]

I would need to know where the money was coming from and be assured that he could definitely pay the extra for the full length of the contract.

I am not sure what the chores have to do with it

My DC have contracts ATM, but DD's will expire in 18mths when she is 16. I would not be willing to spend more than about £15 a month on another, so she would have to top-up. She does earn money coaching/babysitting, and will probably earn more by then, so it will be her choice. I don't know that she would be willing to blow £15 a month just to get the newest iphone

[thecatlikesmebest]

So £400 a year just for a phone....


DS1 has a 6 year old phone which is broken. I'm buying him a £60 handset for Christmas and his calls and texts cost £6 a month.

[bigTillyMint]

And if it's a 2yr contract....

DH just got his mate's old iphone 4 for £50 and has a £7.50 contract 100mins, 5000 texts, 500MB data!

[Claybury]

I wouldn't be happy with my kids having data. I wouldn't know how to monitor internet usage. For example, in the night, as well as content. Access to porn etc.
we ensure no wifi at night at home - there would be no point if they had data

[thecatlikesmebest]

Claybury, how old are your DC? At 16 they are almost an adult. You can't police their activity forever, at some point they need to learn self regulation.