Discussions

Good morning! I am considering a cell phone for my 12 year old - for phone calls and texts only, no internet or social media. Does anyone have any suggestions? For use in Brandon only. Thank you, I don't know a lot about cell phones!

Most carriers have their Data Light Plans. More like pay as you go. It’s definitely a great starter phone plan for a young person just starting out. If you have an old iPhone or something too, you can activate that one as a monthly plan, no data if you don’t want it!  
I work down at the BellMTS in the Corral Centre if you have any questions feel free to call the store if you have questions

I wasn't able to get out of bed and go to the phone on the wall and stay up all night talking.  
 
Kids need rules to abide by, or phones taken away. Or perhaps parents don't care.

I would suggest, for what you need/want, to get a used phone (either an old one of yours or just buy one) and get a prepay plan. That's what I have for myself - no data, I use it mostly for texting but I do get minutes, and I can connect to my home wifi if I choose to - and it's very reasonable.  
 
This is the plan I have:https://www.rogers.com/web/content/wireless-products/paygo_promotions_monthlydiscount  
 
Only 50 minutes for the year before 6 p.m., but they should be in the school anyway and not using it. Unlimited evenings and weekends, unlimited text.  
 
That way too, if they blow all their minutes, you can choose to top it up or not.

Could get a flip phone.

We have a mts/bell prepaid phone for my teens. $100 a year, I find my kids don't call but text. What ever $$ you don't use gets rolled over as long as you remember to renew or add another $100. I don't think my kids have ever used the whole amount per year.

Thanks for your suggestions!

I don't think a 12 yr old needs all the bells and whistles of a real smart phone. If your looking to get your kid a phone just for texts and calls, pay as you go is the way to go!  
 
There are several places where you can get a very affordable and basic pay as you go phone with very affordable plans for texting and calls only.  
 
MTS has a 30$ plan with unlimited txt and 300 prime time minutes with unlimited weekends.  
 
Virgin Mobile also has a 30$ plan, unlimited txt with 250 minutes.  
 
Telus has very bad prepaid plans, avoid them.  
 
Shouldn't have to pay much more than 100$ for a basic phone.

Purchased our kids a $99 phone at Staples (bought the warranty as seemed reasonable and kids will be using the phone....). Have pay as you go thru Bell/MTS. Text only is around $15, small amount of talk/unlimited text $20, etc. I found the phone place in the mall their website most helpful to compare plans btw the companies. (sorry, can't remember the name but it's generic and not associated with Mts, or Roger, etc). They sell from all the companies.