Should You Add Your Kid to Your Family Plan?

Your kid is getting their first phone. Now comes the next question: Do you just add them to your family phone plan?

For a lot of parents, that's the default. You're already paying the bill, everyone stays under one account, and adding another line seems easier than shopping for something completely separate.

But easier doesn't always mean cheaper.

Depending on your current carrier, your child's data needs, and the cost of adding another line, getting your kid their own inexpensive phone plan could actually save you money.

Here's how to figure out which option makes more sense for your family.

Should You Add Your Kid to Your Family Phone Plan?

Maybe, but don't do it automatically.

Adding your child to your existing family plan can be a great option when another line is inexpensive and you want everything managed under one account.

But if your carrier charges significantly more to add another line, or your child doesn't need much data, a separate low-cost plan could be the better deal.

Before you add a line, compare:

• How much another line actually costs
• How much data your child needs
• Whether there are extra taxes or fees
• What features are included
• Whether a cheaper individual plan offers similar coverage

A few minutes of comparison could save you hundreds of dollars over the next few years.

Option 1: Add Your Kid to Your Family Plan

This is probably the first option that comes to mind.

You call your carrier, add another line to your account, hand your kid a phone, and officially enter the era of asking, "How is your battery already dead?"

There are some real advantages to keeping everyone together.

Pros of adding your kid to the family plan

It's simple.
One carrier. One account. One bill. You don't have to keep track of another provider or payment.

Additional lines can be cheaper.
Many family plans get less expensive per line as you add more people. Depending on your plan, adding one more line may be relatively affordable.

Everyone gets similar features.
If your family plan includes unlimited data, hotspot access, or other benefits, your child's line may get them too.

Account management is easier.
You can generally manage all of your family's lines from the same carrier account.

Cons of adding your kid to the family plan

You could be paying for way more data than they need.
If your family has a premium unlimited plan, does your 11-year-old really need premium unlimited data too? Probably not.

Adding a line isn't always cheap.
Family-plan pricing can look great per line, but the important number is how much your total bill increases when you add your child.

It can make switching carriers harder later.
The more people you have on one account, the more complicated it can feel to shop around or switch when a better deal comes along.

Option 2: Get Your Kid Their Own Phone Plan

Yes, your kid can have a separate plan without being financially independent and filing their own taxes.

You can still pay for and manage the account. Their phone service simply doesn't have to be attached to the same plan you use.

And for kids who don't use much mobile data, this can make a lot of sense.

There are inexpensive plans designed for lighter data users, which means you aren't forced to pay for unlimited data just because that's what the rest of your family uses. Check out Goji’s list of the best phone plans for kids. 

Pros of a separate plan

You can choose exactly how much data they need.
Instead of automatically giving your child unlimited data, you can pick a smaller plan based on how they actually use their phone.

There are some very inexpensive options.
Low-data and prepaid plans can cost significantly less than premium unlimited service.

You aren't tied to your current carrier.
Your kid can use a different carrier if it offers a better price or better coverage where they need it.

It's easy to adjust later.
As your child gets older and starts using more data, you can move them to a larger plan.

Cons of a separate plan

You'll have another account to manage.
It's not necessarily difficult, but it isn't quite as convenient as having everyone on one bill.

The cheapest plan isn't always the best plan.
Price matters, but so does coverage. A $10 plan isn't much of a bargain if your kid can't get service when they need it.

You need to do a little shopping first.
You'll have to compare plans rather than simply adding another line to your existing account. Luckily, that's a one-time inconvenience that could lead to long-term savings.

Family Plan vs. Separate Plan for Your Kid

Here's the simplest way to compare the two:

Neither option automatically wins.

The better choice comes down to what adding a line costs you versus what a separate plan would cost for the service your child actually needs.

Does Your Kid Actually Need Unlimited Data?

This is where a separate plan can become especially interesting.

Kids may spend a lot of time on their phones, but that doesn't necessarily mean they're using huge amounts of mobile data.

If they're usually at home or school connected to Wi-Fi, much of their streaming, messaging, gaming, and scrolling may not touch their cellular data at all.

Before choosing a plan, check how much data your child is likely to use. Read our guide for help understanding how much data your child needs. 

A child who only needs a few gigabytes per month probably doesn't need the same expensive unlimited plan as a parent who travels for work, uses their phone as a hotspot, and streams video away from Wi-Fi.

Do the "Add-a-Line" Math

Here's the number that matters:

How much will your monthly bill actually increase if you add your kid?

Don't just compare the advertised "price per line."

For example, imagine your family phone bill is currently $140 per month.

Your carrier tells you adding your child's line will bring the bill to $175.

Your kid's line is effectively costing you $35 per month, or $420 per year.

Now imagine you find a separate plan that meets your child's needs for $15 per month.

That's:

• $20 less per month
• $240 less per year
• $720 less over three years

Suddenly, opening another account doesn't sound quite so inconvenient.

These numbers are only an example, but the principle is the important part: compare the change in your total bill, not just the carrier's advertised per-line price.

When Adding Your Kid to the Family Plan Makes Sense

Adding another line is probably the better choice if:

• Your carrier gives you a good price for an additional line
• Your child needs a lot of mobile data
• Your current carrier has reliable coverage where your child spends time
• You value having everyone under one account
• The price difference between a family line and separate plan is small

If adding your child only bumps your bill up a little, keeping everyone together may be worth it for the convenience.

When a Separate Phone Plan Makes More Sense

Consider shopping for a separate plan if:

• Adding another family line is expensive
• Your child mostly uses Wi-Fi
• Your child doesn't need unlimited data
• You want more control over how much you're spending on their service
• Another carrier has better coverage where your child needs it
• You find a low-cost plan that provides everything they need

This can be especially useful for a child's first phone, when you don't yet know how much data they're actually going to use.

Start smaller. See what they use. You can always upgrade later.

A Real Family Saved $360 a Year by Shopping Separately

We've actually seen how much of a difference this can make.

One family shopping for their daughter's first phone plan initially considered adding her to their existing family plan. Instead, they compared other options and found a separate plan that worked for her needs.

The result? They saved $360 per year.

See how one family saved $360 per year on their daughter's first phone plan.

That's a good reminder that the plan you already have isn't automatically the best plan for every person in your household.

Don't Forget About Coverage

Price isn't the only thing that matters, especially when you're choosing service for your kid.

You want their phone to work at the places they spend the most time.

Think about:

• Home
• School
• Sports practices
• Friends' houses
• After-school activities
• Your usual routes around town

You don't necessarily need your child on the same carrier as you to get good coverage.

A smaller carrier, also called an MVNO, can use the same network as a major carrier while offering different plans and prices.

Before choosing a plan, check coverage in your area to see which networks make sense for your family.

What About the Phone Itself?

If this is your child's first phone, don't forget that the plan is only half of the decision.

You also don't have to buy the latest $1,000+ flagship phone.

There are plenty of less expensive smartphones that still offer the essentials your child needs, and buying a cheaper phone can make the entire first-phone experience considerably more affordable. Click here for our top picks.

And yes, buy the case.

Seriously. Buy the case.

FAQ

Is it cheaper to add a child to a family phone plan?

Sometimes. Multi-line discounts can make adding another line affordable, but it depends on your carrier and current plan. Compare the actual increase in your monthly bill with the cost of a separate plan before deciding.

Can my child have their own phone plan?

Yes. A child's service can be on a separate plan while a parent still pays for and manages the account, subject to the carrier's account and age requirements.

Does my kid need unlimited data?

Not necessarily. Kids who spend most of their time connected to Wi-Fi may use relatively little cellular data, so a smaller data plan could be enough.

Can my child use a different carrier than the rest of the family?

Yes. Your child's phone does not have to use the same carrier as yours. A different carrier may even offer better pricing or coverage for the places your child spends the most time.

How do I choose a phone plan for my child?

Start by looking at coverage, expected data usage, monthly price, and any features your family needs. Then compare the cost of adding a line to your existing plan with separate options.