Thursday, February 19, 2009

I think cell phones, while a nuisance at times, are very important…why? Because for busy moms and dads with older kids, staying in touch should be and is a priority. Cell phones provide not only a safety net for kids when the need to get in touch with someone ASAP, but they also allow them their own measure of freedom and responsibility. Now, that being said, I think that a parent who provides their tween or teen with a cell phone while not monitoring or keeping track of what they are doing with it is just asking for $300 phone bills. So, what is the happy medium between giving the kids a phone and letting them use it however they want and not giving them a phone at all? Kajeet. Bless you…no no I didn’t just sneeze; it’s a company…Kajeet! It is a prepaid cell phone service that is made especially for kids, and allows the parents to have some measure of control over what their kiddos are doing (including how much time they spend talking).

I recently had the opportunity to try out Kajeet (using their Sanyo Katana II) and I think it is a great service. First you buy your phone, activate it and get your phone number…all of which are easy (and since I am saying this you know it must be true!) Once you get your phone all you need to do is unlock it (it took me 3 minutes) and add some money onto the online “wallet”, give it about 10-15 minutes and you are good to make your calls. The online managing is easy for parents, just log in and check what you child has been up to and who they have been calling…you can even block certain numbers. The plans that they provide are also very affordable and range from pay as you go to $30 a month which includes 300 minutes. Want to add something else? Kajeet also offers 1000 night and weekend minutes for $9.99 a month as well as a GPS service which can find your child whenever you want (the first month is free and then it is $9.99 after that).

I definitely think this service is the way to go for parents who have tweens or teens; by giving them a cell phone you help insure their safety and you promote independence and responsibility, but you also get to keep an eye out on what they are doing and who they are speaking with…a win win in my mind and hopefully yours!

The Giveaway: Enter to win a Sanyo Katana II; a $100 value + $5 Free Airtime!
To Enter: Go to Kajeet and check out the plans or the phone, then come back here and let me know what you liked.

BONUS ENTRIES-After you have done the manditory entry:
* Subscribe
* Tweet
* Stumble
* Digg
* Blog about this contest with a link back to Life Starring Ellie and Eve
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89 comments:

Courtenay said...

The GPS Phone Locator service sounds like a blessing for many parents. Especially if you can block or password protect the option to disable it.
*Crossing my fingers for a very low random number to get generated! :)

Marina said...

I love that it has unlimited parental controls, gps tracking and one of the cheaper plans comes with 3000 text messages! ~:) Thanks - great prize!

sounders68 [at] gmail.com

Marina said...

The GPS phone locater seems really helpful. Its the best part I think. Count me in!

susan said...

Wow, they have so many cool phones to choose from. It's hard to choose just one.

nape said...

I'd feel secure with Kajeet phones because a child can call 911 OR his/her parents at any time, without extra charge.

Great giveaway. Thanks!

nape said...

tweeted this giveaway!
http://twitter.com/nape9393/status/1228715744

JenniMac said...

I love that they have a plan with only 10 minutes. I'd love for my tweener to have an emergency phone. What a great idea.

Lori A. said...

The GPS locator would be awesome! And the parental controls would be VERY nice. My 11 year old daughter would probably love the Sanyo Katana II in pink! :)

ljatwood at gmail dot com

weeblet said...

I would get the pay as you go plan, for sure, because dd would only use it for emergencies when she is away from me.

PAIGE said...

I'd like the parental control. My daughter is 15 and I like to know she's safe.

Kimberly Gail said...

I checked their coverage map to see if they have service in my town. they do. Hurray! I love the GPS service they offer!

Kimberly Gail said...

I blogged
http://juryreview.blogspot.com/2009/02/chance-to-win-free-cell-phone.html

Melissa O. said...

I love the GPS locator for sure. That is an important feature. I like the black LG Rumor best.

luckyme said...

I like Kajeet for a first time phone for kids because it is inexpensive, no contract and has all the parental controls with GPS.

danosor said...

My 2 boys are 11 and 14.The parental control is necessary.I am a subscriber.

Estelle said...

I like that the phones are inexpensive but come with many great features, like GPS tracking. They are pay-as-you go, which is great for first time cell owners to learn how to budget their minutes.

Michelle said...

I love the GPS Controls and I love the No Contracts part of it too...Thanks for such a great giveaway this is just what I have been looking for. My tween could use this, without me worrying about the bill...

shellbell574(at)yahoo(dot)com

abfantom said...

My daughter would like the Pink Sanyo Katana II

abfantom (at) yahoo (dot) com

peg42 said...

I love the Parental controls and the GPS locator.
These phones are such a wonderful idea. I love that you can help watch how many minutes are used.
Thanks so much for this giveaway.

Sarah said...

I like the inexpensive plans and parental controls so I can ensure my child is using the phone responsibly.

Leah said...

I love that this cell phone teaches
responsibility by creating separate allowances to decide who pays for what, you or your kid with WalletManager. Very cool! : ))

Thanks so much for this give~away! : )))

leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

Leah said...

And, I TWITTERED about this give~away.......user name: leahita.

http://twitter.com/leahita/status/1256068739

leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

joannaonthelake said...

I have been wanting a Kajeet ever since I first learned about them. I think it is super terrific for children and my husband and I recently decided we think our oldest son who is 9 should have one. There are so many features of the Kajeet that make is easy for the child to use, and provides with parents with such great peace of mind because they can be in control of the child's usage every step of the way! I love the Gold LG Rumor phone but think any of the models are wonderful for kids! What is neat about the LG Rumor is that it has it all, phone, keyboard, camera, MP3 player, parental controls, wow, all the bells and whistles! Thank you so much for the opportunity to enter!
joannaonthelake@gmail.cp,

joannaonthelake said...

I Twittered too! Here is the link to my tweet:

http://twitter.com/joannaonthelake/status/1258651572

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

I Stumbled! My username is joannaonthelake

Here is the link:

http://joannaonthelake.stumbleupon.com/review/30617601/

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

joannaonthelake said...

I Posted a Digg! My username is joannaonthelake and here it is:

http://digg.com/gadgets/Life_Starring_Ellie_and_Eve_Have_a_Teen_or_Tween_Kajeet_Ce

joannaonthelake@gmail.com

Steph said...

I a few things I like are the GPS locator, the no contract and no activation fees, and my favorite phone on the site is the LG Rumor (Blue).

Anonymous said...

I like the GPS locator, my son is constantly running around and away, but he has always wanted a cell phone! This would work for both of us!

Anonymous said...

I like their pay as you go plan. Might help instill some responsibility in them

Anonymous said...

tweeted you!
http://twitter.com/Ardy22/status/1264320550

Anonymous said...

I like the parential controls and the GPS. garrettsambo@aol.com

Kathy P said...

i love that you can Create separate allowances to decide who pays for what, you or your kid with WalletManager.

Peggy said...

Phone is great an added plus anyone can add minutes. The GPS is a safty feature,you can always check where they are
Thanks

guysrose said...

I love the online account management for parents and also the GPS - we definitely need to keep track of our kids :)

Unknown said...

Love the unlimited package and the option to be able to monitor everyrthing from who they message and who they call!

Bakersdozen said...

I love the fact that it has a GPS locator. vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com

Roxann said...

I like that it has GPS on it which would be a great thing for my son.

Pcolamus said...

My 12-year-old granddaughter lost her prepaid phone recently, and I am looking to buy another one. I love the unlimited text messaging service that Kajeet offers! The cost of the phone is reasonable too. Thanks for the heads-up on this company.

Pcolamus said...

I am following you on twitter and tweeted at http://twitter.com/SecondStory/status/1267337070