texting thoughts

[cookiedough]

Sorry, off cycle topic, but what do you all think of texting in general.
More specific,  do most of you have a text plan and if so,  do you have unlimited texting for say 30 bucks per month or get by with 250 texts per month for 5 bucks or say 750 texts for 10 bucks?

Reason asking, my 14 year old wants a cell phone and texting while I will never text and my wife very limited texting per month well under 250 texts per month.  My wife is insisting on unlimited texting for a whopping 30 bucks total per month all 3 cell phones just to make the kid happy which I am totally against.  I said if our girl wants unlimited texting, pay us 20 bucks per month and get a part time job then to pay for it.  But, my wife insists on unlimited texting which I am totally against.

I'm about ready to throw all the cell phones out on the street and get rid of them entirely.  Whatcha all think, I am willing to go get her a cell phone although not needed yet until driving age 16 with limited texting, but am I wrong to not give in and spend 30 bucks per month just so our child can have her way?  If you ask me, our kids are spoiled rotten already with no chores really and need to get out and do stuff even though the misses disagrees with me on this subject.  Me be stubborn!? 

[bscrive]

We didn't have phones when we grew up and we were fine.  I don't see the need for kids to have a cell phone.  There are all kinds of stories of the benefits of a kid having a cell phone but for the most part it is just to fit in.  As for myself, I just got one a few years ago and I use the texting more than calling someone.  If you do get her a cell phone, definitely get the unlimited texting or you will get charged when she goes over her limit.  Kids love texting.

[Valker]

My daughter in college has a new iPhone 4S simply so she won't text and drive. The voice (Siri) will read texts to her and she can dictate texts. She never has to look away from driving. That said, she still will not even use Siri just to be texting, but if she gets one (from me maybe?) she doesn't have to look away to read it.
I'm fairly old, but I probably get and send over 1000 texts per month.

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I agree with the comments of kids only wanting it to fit in.

My wife and I have 1000 texting plan as it is the ONLY way to communicate with our deaf friends. After we got it we have started using it more than phone calls. We have been drawn in but find it very useful for our situation.  We use straight talk for $30 we get 100 mins. 1000 texts and 30 mb of data which I never use.

[Michvalk]

When we got our Blackberrys, we decided to get unlimited everything, not knowing how much we will use the different features. I figured I would never use texting, and mostly use web, and phone. Turns out, I use texting a lot, just to keep up with the grandkids and such. Their friends think it's cool they  have a grandpa and grandma who texts. Actually, I use it for odds and ends stuff, like shopping lists from the bride and such. Once you get it, you will probably use it. We are going to drop down to a cheaper plan, now that we have an idea how much we use it.

[Rudy]

Well, I can give you some input first hand. I have two teenagers, 16 and 14. I was also old school and fought every inch of giving in to cell phones for kids. I finially gave in, it's just the way society is today, everything has to be "right now" and instant communication seems to be the norm now. I will humbly admit it's not that bad. I can contact my kids at any time, and with all there activities they are involved with, texting just works. I think I probably send more text's a month than I make phone calls now.  As for kids, they text NON STOP, that being said, I suggest you heed the wife's advice and get the unlimited plan. You will be amazed how quickly they add up. When it comes to cutting edge technology, I am a spoon. I am usually a couple years behind before I jump on to the latest and greatest, but texting makes life a little easier. Try it, you might like it, and welcome to the twenty first century. 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Well, I can give you some input first hand. I have two teenagers, 16 and 14. I was also old school and fought every inch of giving in to cell phones for kids. I finially gave in, it's just the way society is today, everything has to be "right now" and instant communication seems to be the norm now. I will humbly admit it's not that bad. I can contact my kids at any time, and with all there activities they are involved with, texting just works. I think I probably send more text's a month than I make phone calls now.  As for kids, they text NON STOP, that being said, I suggest you heed the wife's advice and get the unlimited plan. You will be amazed how quickly they add up. When it comes to cutting edge technology, I am a spoon. I am usually a couple years behind before I jump on to the latest and greatest, but texting makes life a little easier. Try it, you might like it, and welcome to the twenty first century. 

They do add up since texts count coming AND going ....

[Hog Killer DS0048]

I agree with the Walmart Straight Talk plans. My wife and I have the $30 per month each with the 1000 minutes of phone calls, 1000 texts, and the 750 mb of internet service. For $45 per month you can get the unlimited use of each. Another thing we like about the Straight Talk service is you do not pay all those ungodly fees and taxes that you normally see at the end of your statement. We only pay Arizona state sales tax. A big difference. Plus they use Verizon as a carrier so you're good most every where.

Just my 2 cents.

[Steve K (IA)]

I don't know your daughter, but she is 14.  You need unlimited texts.    She is a girl and as far as I'm concerned, telephones and now  texting is mostly a "girl" thing.  A pharmacist I work with has bragged about her 14 year old sending 3000 texts a month.    I'm sorry, that's just 

[Former BMW Guy]

I text way more than I talk.....

Joe P

[hairyteeth]

We purchased phones for our kids when they got into after school activities (so they could call home when they needed to be picked up) and the school removed their pay phone. Kids like to text more than talk, personally I wish texting would have never been invented, as I can learn a lot listening to them ask by voice vs recieving "b @ kate's after practice ttyl". We tried to shuttle 1 phone amongst 2 kids it didn't work... tried to save money not getting texting upgrade didn't work. But we do have limits to when . No phones during school, supper, and family time. This came about after they got them before xmas and instead of being excited over opening presents they all set around texting in silence. I also didn't give our kids chores like my Dad and Mother made me do... but I wish I had!
I don't see a problem with them working to pay their phone bill except it will limit your control.
Goodluck Hairy

[steve 3054]

pay me now or pay me later!!!   P.S.  later is going to hurt!!!!

[Russell Rice]

All kids text more than they talk on the cell phones. I would get the unlimited texting package you will be HAPPY you did. 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

I agree with the Walmart Straight Talk plans. My wife and I have the $30 per month each with the 1000 minutes of phone calls, 1000 texts, and the 750 mb of internet service. For $45 per month you can get the unlimited use of each. Another thing we like about the Straight Talk service is you do not pay all those ungodly fees and taxes that you normally see at the end of your statement. We only pay Arizona state sales tax. A big difference. Plus they use Verizon as a carrier so you're good most every where.
Just my 2 cents.

Exactly why we switched and cut our bill in half while getting MORE in a package. 

[fudgie]

Yup get them pre paid. It will be cheaper on you. We also have straight talk and ours is $45 for unlimited talk text and web. Far better deal for the young girls.

I text more then talk. Average day I will send 50-100. Somedays just 5.  I like to text huh T.P., esp when drinking!  Mostly to Kit and my partner also some coworkers. We do it at work esp when its pt/run related.

[lifguardct]

Sorry, off cycle topic, but what do you all think of texting in general.
More specific,  do most of you have a text plan and if so,  do you have unlimited texting for say 30 bucks per month or get by with 250 texts per month for 5 bucks or say 750 texts for 10 bucks?

Reason asking, my 14 year old wants a cell phone and texting while I will never text and my wife very limited texting per month well under 250 texts per month.  My wife is insisting on unlimited texting for a whopping 30 bucks total per month all 3 cell phones just to make the kid happy which I am totally against.  I said if our girl wants unlimited texting, pay us 20 bucks per month and get a part time job then to pay for it.  But, my wife insists on unlimited texting which I am totally against.

I'm about ready to throw all the cell phones out on the street and get rid of them entirely.  Whatcha all think, I am willing to go get her a cell phone although not needed yet until driving age 16 with limited texting, but am I wrong to not give in and spend 30 bucks per month just so our child can have her way?  If you ask me, our kids are spoiled rotten already with no chores really and need to get out and do stuff even though the misses disagrees with me on this subject.  Me be stubborn!?  

You are both right, kids today are spoiled and you should get unlimited texting on all your phones. You will end up paying more if you don't because the text's will rack up qiuckly. We didn't have texting until recently but now we use it more than the phone BY FAR... BTW, we went with Sprint (3-lines) shared 1500 min phone, unlimited data and text. Kinda pricey though.......

[cookiedough]

Thanks all for the comments, seems nobody agrees with me to limit to 250 or 750 texts per month vs. unlimited.    I must be real old school since the majority of those commented are my age or older when we never had a cell phone growing up for sure.  I probably will never text in my life but guess I should be more open minded.  I guess we can start out at 250 or 750 texts per line for my kid since I know neither me nor my wife will ever go over 250 texts per month. 

I still think it is stupid how kids have nothing better to do than text each other all day long back and forth for hours with nothing to say besides LOL or nothing that really matters.  She has an ipod touch at home to text via internet and the only time she needs the texting on a cell phone is if she goes somewhere with no internet connection at age 14 in a small town with no driver's license, she can't text that much away from home?????????????

I can see the need once she has a job or drives, but at age 14, maybe she should get a job and pay say 20 bucks of the 30 bucks per month for texting since 99% of texts will be hers?

Can you tell I am stubborn on this issue, but thanks all for the comments and suggestions.

[alph]

cookiedough,  i'm with you 100%, or was......  i fought my kids tooth and nail on this texting thing, i hated it.  we switched to an unlimited text service, with an additional 600 minutes talk plan and our bill went down $10 per month for that plan.  my one daughter texts 6000 texts per month!  seriously it's 6000!!  i never see her "talk" on the phone, she does "text" constantly though......  i know no one will believe me, but our 4 cell phones, and one house line are all on Tmobile, and we pay $90 a month, that's with everything, tax, title, and liecense!!  we use to have a land line, that alone was $120 to $150 per month and you only "talked" on it!!  if you wanted caller ID, call forwarding, or anything else it was extra!!  the one thing about the home phone is you have to have internet.  my wife works for a hospital and we get our internet discounted because it's required for her work (she's a medical transcriptionist, stays at home and types all day.....)

i like texting mainly 'cause my brother has verison, with a crappy phone.  it's easier to send him a text then it is to "hear" him.  also, i don't have to worry about disterbing him at work, i just send him a "note" and when he's got time he replys.  that's really the nice thing about texting, it convienent to just send a note.  now, what the hell my daughters writting i don't know!!  but she's 18, old enough to get welfare and do the things kids do now adays..... (actually she's a great kid, works as many hours as she can, saves 99% of her paycheck, doesn't smoke or do drugs or drink so i don't get on her for texting so much)

yeah, i hated texting too, but this is the 21st century......  don't want your kids to be Amish yah know......  that once a week shower thing is icky..... 

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Thanks all for the comments, seems nobody agrees with me to limit to 250 or 750 texts per month vs. unlimited.    I must be real old school since the majority of those commented are my age or older when we never had a cell phone growing up for sure.  I probably will never text in my life but guess I should be more open minded.  I guess we can start out at 250 or 750 texts per line for my kid since I know neither me nor my wife will ever go over 250 texts per month.  

I still think it is stupid how kids have nothing better to do than text each other all day long back and forth for hours with nothing to say besides LOL or nothing that really matters.  She has an ipod touch at home to text via internet and the only time she needs the texting on a cell phone is if she goes somewhere with no internet connection at age 14 in a small town with no driver's license, she can't text that much away from home?????????????

I can see the need once she has a job or drives, but at age 14, maybe she should get a job and pay say 20 bucks of the 30 bucks per month for texting since 99% of texts will be hers?

Can you tell I am stubborn on this issue, but thanks all for the comments and suggestions.

My mom was a single parent when I was younger. I had 3 paper routes when I was 12 so I could wear wrangler instead of the colored jeans Sears sold which is what mom could afford. I think instilling a good work ethic when young is important. Never hurt me. Nothing wrong with them getting some sort of job to contribute to something extra they want. JMHO  ( that's text abbreviation for "just my humble opinion")

[alph]

JMHO  ( that's text abbreviation for "just my humble opinion")

don't need to abbreviate anymore with the "smart" phones.  one major reason why i never use to text.  hated hitting the "9" key six times for a letter "Y"!!  of course it's 'cause i had to go around three times......

cookie, if you want to be mean to your kid, get 'em a FLIP PHONE!!! then tell 'em they've got to mow the yard and save up to buy a smart phone!!  work it to your advantage!!

[Toledo Mark]

I have unlimited. I manage a group of about 25 delivery drivers and text all day long.  250 a month would be eaten up in one week.

As for kids having phones?  When my kids wanted phones I paid the first $100 on their phone bills and they have paid the rest since.  The phones were in my name and if they missed a payment without a reasonable excuse I told them I would take it away.  Never had to and now they have their own plans.

I text my workers, friends, and family more than talking on the phone.  Sometimes it is easier that way.

[BradValk48237]

I say if she cant get a job (most 14 yr olds can't.. but like baby sitting), "pay" for the house work at a set rate and jobs to do to "pay' for it....

Also if you can,,, turn the tracking on on it.... there are programs available for your PC that can track a cell phone (well depends on the phone)..... if you cant .. just tell her you have the "tracking' turned on... She'll think twice about going places she shouldn't...

 I too grew up working one way or the other to pay for things I wanted.. like a bike, and clothed mom wouldn't buy.....

Brad

[oldthrower50]

What is sad is that kids have "friends" and even "relationships" with people they rarely see and interact with.  And they are deadly serious about how much these people mean in their lives.  Readinig outloud, making a speech, being able to convey thoughts via spoken word will fade more and more
I hate texting and smartphones.  The real world has a hard time competing with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and texting.

One of my kids were shocked the other day because I wrote something in CURSIVE..how arcane!!!

[Chrisj CMA]

You cant text me and I cant text you.  There is this amazing capability my phone has..........I push ONE little button and in a few short seconds I can talk to you no matter where you are as if you are standing right next to me. 

Also noone will be texting me while they are driving and have a crash. 

I dont pay my kids phone bills.  Never did, never will.  They got along just fine with no phones until they could afford them on thier own. 

The only problem is they want me to get texting and I wont.  I wanted them to answer their phone when I call them.......they have started answering now, so I guess I won

[czuch]

TXT,OMG, NO.
DINSTP,OMG,KLDEM.
That was sent by a new driver chick who didnt see the light had turmned red and plowed through
two of our security guys at 50 mph. They were on their way home from a security training event.
Their OK, but totally bikeless.
Kid ya not they took her phone away and that was what she said.

[cookiedough]

You cant text me and I cant text you.  There is this amazing capability my phone has..........I push ONE little button and in a few short seconds I can talk to you no matter where you are as if you are standing right next to me. 

Also noone will be texting me while they are driving and have a crash. 

I dont pay my kids phone bills.  Never did, never will.  They got along just fine with no phones until they could afford them on thier own. 

The only problem is they want me to get texting and I wont.  I wanted them to answer their phone when I call them.......they have started answering now, so I guess I won

Hey, at least 1 person agrees with me?

Alph,  Tmobile is pretty darn cheap up north for 90 bucks.  If I switch my plan which is 55 bucks plus tax no texting now for 2 phones and get unlimited texting for all 3 lines plus another cell phone it goes up for all cell phones to 100 bucks per month not including taxes guessing another 15 bucks per month total of 115 about.  Man, 5-6,000 texts per month is insane, hear I was willing to go for my 14 year old 750 texts per month for 10 bucks instead of unlimited for 30 bucks. 

[donaldcc]

 I say get her the phone, let her txt as much as she wants and be a good parental supervisor.  Require good grades, help out with chores and spend time together.  Every one of her peers have it, ddon't make her feel left out.  Supervise and support.  

[Patrick]

I hate texting ! Most of the folks I know text more than talk because they don't want to wait for voicemail or don't want to talk.. I want to talk to people,, I don't like voicemail,, but,, I'd still rather talk to someone..
I do think phones are kind of an important safety thing today..

[Chrisj CMA]

They should make teenager phones.  The teenager phone would have two buttons and two and only two programmed numbers.  One preprogrammed for 911 and the other for home.  And the only incomming calls the phone would accept are from programmed numbers.

And....then make free gubberment phones......same rules only there is one pre programmed number and one button and its for 911 and thats it

[musclehead]

Thanks all for the comments, seems nobody agrees with me to limit to 250 or 750 texts per month vs. unlimited.    I must be real old school since the majority of those commented are my age or older when we never had a cell phone growing up for sure.  I probably will never text in my life but guess I should be more open minded.  I guess we can start out at 250 or 750 texts per line for my kid since I know neither me nor my wife will ever go over 250 texts per month. 

I still think it is stupid how kids have nothing better to do than text each other all day long back and forth for hours with nothing to say besides LOL or nothing that really matters.  She has an ipod touch at home to text via internet and the only time she needs the texting on a cell phone is if she goes somewhere with no internet connection at age 14 in a small town with no driver's license, she can't text that much away from home?????????????

I can see the need once she has a job or drives, but at age 14, maybe she should get a job and pay say 20 bucks of the 30 bucks per month for texting since 99% of texts will be hers?

Can you tell I am stubborn on this issue, but thanks all for the comments and suggestions.

that's what I was going to suggest, she needs to work to make up the difference or do preagreed upon chores to wokr it off.

[old2soon]

I gots fat thumbs and fingers and i aint nowhere as flexible as i used ta was. My lovely daughter(17 years young)is now on straight talk at $45.00 a month on the unlimited plan. IF you go over yer limit and sart paying per text-well in little of no time-well you aint gonna like it.  I'm going with straight talk at $30.00 a month. My current A T & T bill for their SMALLEST plan is a shade north of $57.00 a month. When my daughter was on A T & T with me our total bill was north of $150.00 a month. So i'm cutting my cell bill in half.  A T & T can't even come close much less match straight talk.  Another thing-A T & Ts insurance was $7.00 a month. Staight talk is $6.00 fer 18 months. Teenagers in da house equal unlimited texting. I know-i didn't even have color T V til into my teens.  RIDE SAFE.

[Tropic traveler]

We have unlimited everydamnthing on our 2 phones mainly because my 49 year old junior high school girl wife has to be in constant contact with her equally texting addicted 40 & 50something year old junior high school girlfriends. They discuss & report every detail of their lives to each other either through texts or Facebook.
Whatever makes her happy.......
I never saw the value in texting, just make the damn phone call!!!!!!
I do use the heck out of my PHONE at work but not the texting part.  

[cookiedough]

o.k., went to us cellular store (only carrier I can get where I live with phone reception) and finally gave in, well sort of.  I want to wait until the 12th of August when the new rates of phones may change since the basic free 1 cent phone by samsung is junk and they ONLY offer 2 other phones without a data plan (never would use any of us) where one phone is terrible and the other Samsung character is 70 bucks to buy, not free or even under 50 bucks like the store said was a few months ago only 30 bucks.  Then, on the 13th we can see what that phone price is and order over phone thru us cellular and still activate by the 19th of August when my monthly billing is done since takes 3-4 days mail time to get new phones in.   All us cellular stores charge a 30 dollar activation fee on all new phones but if you order online or call it in, the 30 dollar activation fee is waived.  Yah, I know, that policy is stupid.   

Wife wants it ASAP with unlimited texting, blah, blah, blah and I said wait a few more weeks is all to see if the price of the samsung character goes down since doubt it will go up.  Gee whiz, can a guy ever win an argument?    

Update:  just called US cellular and the character phone my kid wants in gray is all sold out, not limited availability like thought, only available in stores if have any left but must pay 30 buck activation fee in store now - total rip off.  Double ticked off!   

[Lyn-Del]

I'm a texter.  In defense of texting, I offer the following advantages

Ever needed a quick answer to a quick question?  But made the phone call and gone through the requisite "how are you, how's the family" etc.?  when you really didn't have the time?

Or needed that answer from someone who is at work for an employer who does not allow personal calls?  I can text my question and I'll get an answer during a coffee break or bathroom break. 

I text myself addresses to put in the GPS, items to not forget at the grocery store, etc.

Texts come through some networks faster than voice mail does.

Texts don't seem to get garbled by bad cell reception.

I like texts because, like email, I can send my message when it's convenient for me, and my answer will come when it's convenient for the person I've texted.

Sometimes, a few seconds sent typing a text can save me a lot of time.  The answer is already written down so I don't have to find a pen, I won't write down the wrong information.

Are texts a problem?  you bet.  I see people texting on the road all the time.  Even on motorcycles sometimes.

I also see people reading newspapers, maps, and more while driving. 

The biggest problem is simply this:  Common sense is no longer common.

[MAD6Gun]

 I put Twila and her 22 year old son Anthony on my plan. He had to have a smart phone so I said YOU pay the 30 buck a month data plan. He agread and he does pay for it. We got 1400 talk minutes and unlimited text. THANK GOD for that.  After the first month we had the plan I checked Verizon's site and my bill. I had around 150 texts, Twila had 250. Anthony had 9000+. Holy crap who does he talk to. WOW. I hear his phone go off all the time at home. So my opinion got with the unlimited. You will be less broke at the end of the month......