U.S. Cellular Offers Wireless Financial Responsibility

Today, cell phones have become as common as backpacks for many teenagers. Previously, teenagers have lagged behind adults in their ownership of cell phones, but several years of survey data collected by the Pew Internet & American Life Project show that those ages 12-17 are closing the gap in cell phone ownership. The project first began surveying teenagers about their mobile phones in its 2004 Teens and Parents Project when a survey showed that 45 percent of teens had a cell phone. Since that time, mobile phone use has climbed steadily among teens ages 12 to 17 from 63 percent in fall of 2006 to 71 percent in early 2008.

With more and more teenagers using cell phones as their primary source of communication, U.S. Cellular reminds parents that this provides an opportunity to teach their teenagers about fiscal responsibility. Like an allowance, kids should learn how theyre spending their wireless minutes. We believe that this exercise can go a long way to understanding the value of time and money.

U.S. Cellular’s new Overage Protection program also allows teenagers and parents to manage their cell phone use and stay within their budgets. U.S. Cellular will send a free text message when 75 percent of voice minutes or text messages have been sent, and another text when you reach 100 percent.

Today’s wireless plans are structured for multiple users, like families, making it difficult to track usage. According to Jupiter Research, 74 percent of teens are on a family wireless plan and 80 percent of teens’ parents pay the entire monthly bill. With the growing use of texting, families can quickly approach the limits of their monthly plans. Overage Protection helps to ensure that doesn’t happen and gives our customers the opportunity to call and change their plans at any time without signing a new contract.

Many parents want to stay in touch with their teens to make sure they are safe, and a cell phone is a great tool to do just that. We recommend that parents explain to their children that having a phone comes with the responsibility to manage the costs. Start by identifying what your teen wants or needs in a cell phone, and define your own terms, too. U.S. Cellular offers the following tips for teenagers and their parents:

Engage your teen in the purchase decision. Review how your teen will use the cell phone. For example, do they actually text more than they talk? Are they photo-obsessed or focused on ringtones? Negotiate the number of texts allowed per month and find the best texting plan