You can own a cell phone without your parents knowing.
Your parents don't want you to own a cellphone, but you want one anyway.It is possible to buy and keep a cellphone without your parents knowing.
Step 1: Don't use other people's money.
You will need to use your own funds to purchase the phone, and you should not be traced by your parents.If you have a privately-owned bank account, use it!If your parents watch your spending, you may need to be more subtle.Remove small amounts from the bank occasionally.Exchange cash for gift cards and use them on websites like Amazon if you want to get it online.Asking someone to help you out if you don't have enough money is a good idea.Ask your grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and older siblings if they will tell you about your parents.Don't tell them it's for a phone.
Step 2: Get money.
You need to find a way to get cash if you don't have a steady source of income.If you have a job, save a bit each month until you can afford a phone and a plan.If you don't have a job, you can try to get a part-time job at a local shop.You can keep your cash under a mattress or in a bank.It will be easier to keep the phone a secret if you don't have to answer questions about what you're saving for.
Step 3: Look into other options.
If you need a cell phone to prevent a domestic violence situation within the home, Social Services may be able to help you source a phone or provide parental counseling.If you don't want to be able to text or call your friends without supervision, there are other options, such as online chat services.If you want the mobility of a phone, an iPod touch or similar Internet-connecting device, you could use it in areas where the internet is available.You can buy an iPod touch on eBay.
Step 4: There is a cellphone store.
You can either buy a phone at a dollar store, drugstore, or convenience store or go to a service provider.Make sure you have enough money to buy the phone you want.You can buy your phone online.Do not order it to your house if you buy it online.It is possible that your parents will get to it before you.
Step 5: You can choose a phone.
Simple phones run from $20 to 100.The features you want will affect the phone you choose.A fancy new phone will be very expensive, but you can usually buy a simple brick phone for $20 to $30, or an old phone from a friend for $50, which would be ideal, as it is untraceable and runs no risk.Do you really need a phone with internet and app capability?The easiest phone to use is if you need to text and call friends.
Step 6: Pick a plan.
Check out the different pay-as-you-go phone plans.You should be aware of which plan you get.Do you think it's worth the risk to get data and 4G for your phone or do you have better options?Consider if a plan is even the best choice for you, or if you can just top it up with online or over-the-phone top-ups.Give yourself a buffer of 10% until you find the right way to use the phone.Consider a pay-as-you-go minute card.These plans are designed for people who don't want to commit to a long-term plan.If your parents are tech savvy, don't add your phone to the home internet.A device called "your-name's cell" is used to log into it.
Step 7: You should look into online billing.
A home address is usually needed to send phone bills.Check with the provider you are interested in working with to see if they offer automatic bill pay options and whether or not they can send bills online rather than through the mail.It is unlikely that a cell phone provider will allow a minor to sign a contract.It is possible to get a PO Box instead of your home address if you plan on getting a cell phone.This will cost money again.
Step 8: It's a good idea to be careful who you tell about the phone.
Give your number to friends who are willing to blab.Don't let tattle-tale siblings or cousins know what's going on.Keep plausible deniability by not telling anyone where you keep the phone.
Step 9: Act normal.
Give your parents no reason to be suspicious.If you have to call someone, take a walk or go to a friend's place.Make a plausible excuse.If anyone asked, you were at your friend's place playing video games or hanging out at the park, not making a call.To provide better protection, get a friend to corroborate your stories.No one should look closely if you play it right.Keep doing normal things.If you disappear into your room and text/call friends for hours on end when you are at home, someone will suspect something is up.
Step 10: Leave it alone.
You won't be able to hide your phone if it rings around your parents.Make sure you take care of it both at school and at home by keeping it on vibrate or off.Make sure it doesn't interrupt anything and blow your cover.There is no situation in which you would need the cell to ring loudly.Don't tell yourself that you will have to turn it off again.You're in trouble when you forget about that at some point.
Step 11: Put your phone in a safe place.
It's best to keep it hidden in a purse, backpack, or underwear drawer because your parents won't be able to see it.If you leave it around your house, your parents will be more likely to notice it.At least not in easily visible places when your parents are at home.
Step 12: Be discreet!
Don't answer the phone immediately if you get a call.Wait until you're in a safe place, and be sure that you aren't being watched.If you are sure that you're safe, reply to your phone.Be careful that you aren't seen, and keep all conversations quick.You can either leave the phone in a safe place or keep it with you.The phone should be treated like an object.It disappears if anyone sees it.Don't text all the time.