Children as consumers

In addition to using a mobile phone for calls and text messages, a child can use it for

• participating in games and chats that cost money
• ordering cell phone logos and ringtones

Letting a child use a cell phone does not give him or her the right to purchase goods or services that can be paid for with a cell phone. A parent's consent is needed for such purchases.

Parents need to agree with their children on cell phone usage rules, which can prevent unexpectedly high bills.

A child is not personally responsible for mobile phone charges because he or she cannot be the actual subscriber. The subscription is in a parent's name, and under the terms of the subscription contract, the parent is responsible for expenses associated with use of the mobile phone. Operators or companies that offer services through mobile phones cannot shirk their responsibility completely by invoking this term if the parent has not consented to a purchase.

When used for payments, a cell phone is comparable to a credit card: purchases are made on credit and the bill is paid afterward.

 Take action

Giving a cell phone to a child does not constitute permission to make purchases. If your child has bought something without your consent or on credit,

• demand that the operator or the company offering cell phone services cancel the transaction or settle the matter. Do this within a reasonable amount of time from when you learned of the purchase
• contact a consumer advisor if a dispute arises