Son #2, Miguel, thought he'd do a little surfing on the internet recently with his phone. Surfing for ring tones, backgrounds, games, etc....We don't have a data plan, nor had we planned on buying one. We have the internet hooked up to the computers at home. We don't need it in our pockets, too. Apparently, he didn't "realize" that his bit of surfing actually costs money. He's 16, I think he knew. Imagine our surprise when we received a $230 cell phone bill. I mean, come on!!! He is now in debt to us and looking for a job. He gets his phone back when he can pay his bill. He thinks we are being harsh for what he terms an accident. Well, if I hit someone with my car, I have to pay even if it was an "accident".
What do you think? Is this enough punishment?
Or do you side with Miguel and think it is too harsh?
OUCH! kids don't know. And I hate that phones or services give access to things without previously telling you that there will be a charge. This happened with our bank. each time my son would call and check his balance they charged $10 because it was from his phone but if he were in front of a computer or at an ATM it would be free. He needed to make sure that the funds he was transferring from his school account was reaching his main account which was 30 miles away. In his po dunk college town they do not have a bank of america! :: I know right::
ReplyDeleteSo, I do think he is responsible because like you said, we are all responsible whether we knew or didnt know. It's a thing called consequences.
But, I would make him pay 1/2 or 2/3rds and call your phone company to see if they could put perimeters. But, to his point. As the one's who are on the phone contract and giving it out to your children did you previously inform him of all the to dos on a phone and all the not to do's? We had to tell our kids if their phones said ROAM, DO NOT use their phone, we get an extra charge.
I think it's okay. You've got to be tough. But what do I know?
ReplyDeleteMary
Of course not! Accidents happen all the time. We stil are responsible for out actions. Please don't back down. I work with teenagers and their parents, all the time, and they feel bad and back down, and their kids don't respect them.
ReplyDeleteKids need to realize that nothing is free and that they need to be aware of those types of things in this world. I made a mistake similar to that when I was in my early 20's and I definitely learned my lesson with similar consequences.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a fair punishment. I worked for a cell phone company (as a crappy summer job one time) and you wouldn't believe how many kids 'accidentally' used the internet...they know!
ReplyDeleteoh my, I remember those days when I first got my cell phone and had only a certain amount of minutes a month. Boy was that hard to stick too :) I almost ALWAYS went over my minutes and was charged huge fines. It's the worst feeling.
ReplyDeleteWell, they gotta learn somehow, good for you for making him deal with the consequences.
Since we make our kids pay for their own phones and phone plans, not too harsh. You are doing him a favor. Really. Someday he won't have this "accident" when he is on his own and has to pay it all himself. You just saved him $230 in the future. He should consider himself blessed. :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is too harsh, not fun to live with, but a fair way to let him know that he kinda blew it. Sad way to learn but that's gown up life I guess.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a good lesson to learn now rather than later. Someone has to pay and it is more "fair" for him to pay the bill than for you. Responsibility and consequences for actions taken seem too often not enforced to the detriment of our children.
ReplyDeleteGood job! I don't think that seems too strict and what a good lesson he'll learn. We had a huge text bills once before we understood what texts were. That was with 14 and 16 year old boys who had just discovered texting. We're all smarter now!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday Follow