Teaching Smartphone Responsibility @VirginMobileUSA #SprintMom #DataDoneRight #IC #ad

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.

Until recently I thought my kids were too young for cell phones and while I am still on the fence I am seeing more and more reasons why giving my sons phone won’t be the worst idea. I do realize though that with a cell phone comes responsibility, which is something my boys definitely need to work on.

How I am helping my kids become responsible enough for a cell phone:

• Cell phones can be expensive and should be treated with care. I explained if they loose or break their phone they will not get a replacement unless they pay for it.

• They can only call the pre-set numbers I put in there an no one else. I explained how its not safe to call numbers I don’t know and haven’t checked.

• They cannot download an app or visit a website unless I have approved it. I will be checking their phones daily plus I will get email confirmations on any downloads made.

• They are responsible for charging their phones each night. I will not be charging the phones for them and will take them away if they leave them where they don’t belong.

• Data is valuable and they have to earn it each month by completing chores. Nothing is free and just like adults have to work to pay their bills, I want my kids to learn that they have to work for what they want. Plus I don’t them to become a “Data Hog!”

A few weeks ago I received a Virgin Mobile Data Done Right “Survival Kit” to test out Virgin Mobile’s Data Done Right, Walmart’s exclusive plan.

What makes Virgin Mobile Data Done Right Multi-line Data Sharing plans so great?

• You can divvy up the data however and whenever for each line. This is great for rewarding kids with more data and avoiding having a “data hog.”

• Each multi-line plan comes with a free mobile hotspot feature, which makes it easy to share data across Wi-Fi enabled devices.

• Preloaded Virgin Mobile app enables parents to manage data from their device, with the ability to allocate a specific amount of data to each line.

• Parental control features with device curfew and app restrictions.

• No monthly line fees or contract.

• You get the coverage of the Sprint® Nationwide Network.

• One-touch data buy-up options so you always have the data your family needs.

• Popular social media and music streaming apps without data charges, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pandora – unlimited usage without counting against your data allotment, for just $5 per month.

So how did my family do with the Virgin Mobile Data Done Right Multi-line Data Sharing plan?

First off we used a Chore Chart since my kids are visual learners I figured this would be a great way to show them how they can earn gigs of data.

The concept of Data Done Right plan is the main user can divvy out data for the users it manages. This is a great way to reward kids for good behavior. I know in my household tablet time is valuable and my boys make sure they do their chores so they get it so they know already how valuable data is. I did have trouble getting one of the phones to activate properly but I’m sure if I took the time to call Virgin Mobile for support I could have gotten it set up.

So you buy the Virgin Mobile Data Done Right Phones, you choose a Top-Up Card (or use your credit card) to add money and then you activate your phone. Like I said the concept is great but technology can be tricky. So the $90 Data Share Card I added is equal to unlimited talk/text and 10GB of data on three phones. No contract required and its a great month-to-month plan.

This is especially perfect if you are just starting your family off on cell phones since there is no contract and no overages to worry about. You get to see how much each family member is using and dole out the gigs as needed so you don’t have a any data hogs.

My phone is on the right and I manage the kid’s phones. The kid’s phones do not have access to changing anything:

Virgin Mobile also offers all the hot new phones so your not stuck with old technology.

Stay Connected:

Virgin Mobile WEBSITE | Walmart Store LOCATOR

CHECK IT OUT: Virgin Mobile Data Done Right Single Line and Multi-line Data Sharing plans are available exclusively at Walmart.