*I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Influence Central for Virgin Mobile USA which is one of Sprint’s prepaid brands. I received two Virgin Mobile smartphones to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation.
Last year, we finally made the decision to get our older son his first smartphone. He was on the Junior Varsity basketball team at his school and would often need to call me to pick him up as soon as practices were over during the week. We immediately knew that we would have to establish boundaries with regards to phone and data usage as well as making sure that his grades continued to be good. After all, having a mobile phone is a privilege and it should be handled as such.
Here we are a year later and now our younger son also has his own mobile device. He’s been asking us for one since his brother got one and, since he was diagnosed with epilepsy this year, Hubby and I decided that having his own phone would be a good idea. The problem is that they are both data hogs and love to spend time on their phones streaming movies and music when they are not downloading apps and playing games. It became quickly apparent that we would have to figure out a way for both of them to earn their data so that they could learn some responsibility.
Our solution came in the form of Data Done Right Single Line and Multi-line Data Sharing plans available exclusively at Walmart from Virgin Mobile. You have the ability to divide data on individual lines that are part of their Multi-line plans. They also offer parental controls along with device curfew and app restrictions. This was especially important to us because we don’t allow our boys to use their devices on school nights and we like to monitor the content and apps that they download on a regular basis.
Currently, we are using a chore chart to allocate data privileges to both of our sons for completing chores around our home. Let me tell you, there is nothing like the motivation of getting extra data on their mobile devices to encourage them to pick up their dirty clothes and clean up their dishes after eating dinner! This Working Mom has definitely noticed a difference in how much picking up I have to do after them now that they have their eyes on the “data prize.”
Our boys are currently using the 2 lines, 6 GB plan and they get great reception on the Sprint® Nationwide Network. Their phones came preloaded with the Virgin Mobile app which allows us to manage their data directly from their phones. I love not having a contract and not having to pay extra fees for additional lines.
The best part is that, for a mere $5 a month more, they get unlimited access to popular social media and music streaming apps without data charges, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pandora. Believe me, if you have a Tween or Pre-Teen, you can incur a lot of extra charges just from their activity on social media. Now I know there won’t be any surprises at the end of the month.
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Can you tell how much I love being a #SprintMom? Make sure you connect with Virgin Mobile on Facebook and Twitter to find out more about their Data Done Right plans available exclusively at Walmart. It’s a great way to get your whole family connected without breaking the bank!
Let’s Discuss: What are some of the ways that you make your children earn privileges such as using mobile devices or other rewards?
Disclosure: I participated in an Ambassador Program on behalf of Influence Central for Virgin Mobile USA which is one of Sprint’s prepaid brands. I received two Virgin Mobile smartphones to facilitate my review as well as a promotional item to thank me for my participation. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2015, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
My kids earn privileges by doing their chores and especially when I see them going over and above to do something I didn’t even ask them to do.
I think that’s sweet that you do that, Robin! It’s nice to do things for them when they do nice things for us (and anytime).
I love the idea of being able to share data – that would make things so much easier. x
I think it’s a good idea to limit the amount of time your kids are on electronic games. Particularly the ones with no intrinsic value.
Do you know if the $5 unlimited access to social media also includes Snapchat and Instagram? That is where my little data-hog of a sister is using up all her data gigs.
This is a great idea for when our son is a little older–chores, etc.! I have used Virgin Mobile since forever! I love learning about their new products, specials, and deals! It’s so hard to navigate through all the noise! Nice review!
What a great way to earn data! Luckily my kids are usually on wifi, so they don’t use too much data unless we’re having to use our GPS. Sprint has great phone plans.
Earning data is such n awesome idea! It’s the modern way to get out kids to do our chores right!?
This is a very good idea – making them earn their data, I mean. If the world was as cell-phone driven as today’s world when I was a kid, my mom would have done the same thing with me!
I LOVE the data charts! What a great idea! My daughter had a phone at a young age as well due to health problems.
My girls earn privileges by their attitude, helping around the house and working hard at school. It is tough at times but the end results are worth it.
I think this is an awesome way for them to earn their data. Videos and movies use up a lot so it’s good to have a plan like this in place.
What a great idea! I have my sons data turned off on his phone via the carrier. After he ran it up to $150 watching youtube one night after we turned it off via the phone – they wouldn’t do anything for me even though we were hooked up to wifi so thats what I did. I need to look into Virgin!
That’s a great idea about chores earning data rather than money. Might get them to value it a little more.
That’s a lot of shared data! You won’t have to worry about going over!
Here in my house, data are earned as well. The kids have to help with the chores. This sounds like a great plan. I love that there is no contract.
I definitely think it is the best way so that kids don’t feel entitled.
You are a proud Sprint mom. I can tell! It is good to earn privileges.
I think that’s a great idea, chores for the phone. I do that with my son, and my girls are allowed to use the kindle when they finish theirs as well.
I think it is a good idea to reward data. This plan is really handy and perfect for young people.
I am happy that Sprint acknowledges the need of kids to have the right amount of data on their smartphones. I love the added features like parental controls!
I sometimes offer extra time on the electronic devices in exchange for a big chore. 😉 Works like a charm, doesn’t it? 🙂 I think my son is too young for a phone, but it def. won’t be long.
I’m a firm believer in kids getting rewarded for good behavior, so I think this I great! My daughter is 8 and she’s already asking me for a mobile phone LOL.
Earning Data is such a great idea. I wish i had of thought of this when my kids were younger. I am going to share this with my friends with kids.
We arent there yet but limit online to 30 minutes a day.
My son is a data hog! I love how you are rewarding them making them earn their data! I’m going to have to try this!
I love this idea! I’m not close to a child that is at the age of cell phone ownership, but once we get there…. This is right up our alley.
Such a wonderful idea of earning data rather than money & the idea of sharing data is just great as well as it is going to be so helpful for everyone in the family as you can have a control over your kids data usage.
I love Virgin Mobile. I have been with them for years and you just can’t beat the value for the service you receive.
I love that you earn data in your home, that’s such a fun way to make sure kids understand that all actions have rewards or consequences!