The right Mobile plan for a child or teen depends above all on how they use their phone. Calls and texts only, light browsing, or coverage across the country: each profile is better suited to a different type of plan. These tips will help you identify the option that best matches your young person’s needs, without having to plan for every possibility from day one. With Videotron, it’s easy to adapt a plan as those needs evolve.
- How to choose a Mobile plan suited to your child or teen
- The Talk and Text plan, a first step without data
- A plan with data to stay connected on the go
- The Canada-International plan for families on the move
- How much data does a child or teen really need?
- How does the multiline discount work for families?
How to choose a Mobile plan suited to your child or teen?
The right Mobile plan for a young person depends primarily on how they use their phone every day.
A child or teen who mainly uses their device to text friends and call home does not have the same needs as one who watches videos on the bus. That's why it's important to choose a plan that reflects their actual usage, not just a list of features.
The good news is that your choice doesn't have to be permanent. With Videotron, you can change plans at any time as your child or teen's needs evolve.
The Talk and Text plan, a first step without data
A Talk and Text plan allows your child or teen make calls and send text messages without access to mobile data. The phone connects to the Internet only over Wi-Fi (at home or in a public place).
It’s an ideal option for families who want to give a first phone while keeping a clear framework around its use.
Especially suited to:
- First phones, including flip phones
- Younger children (ages 9 to 11)
- Families who prefer a gradual introduction to the digital world
This type of Mobile plan is the most affordable option. It helps limit distractions when away from Wi-Fi and reduces the risk of data overuse. On the other hand, some apps (instant messaging, GPS navigation, and social media) will not work unless the device is connected to a Wi-Fi network.
A plan with data to stay connected on the go
As soon as your child or teen starts using apps, checking social media, or browsing the Web away from home, a plan with mobile data becomes a practical choice. Mobile data allows their phone to connect to the Internet over the Videotron network, even when Wi-Fi is unavailable.
The amount of data needed depends on their habits. A teen who streams music, watches videos on the go, or plays online games will use more data than one who only checks messages.
Especially suited to:
- Teens who use instant messaging apps or social media away from home
- Young people who travel often (public transit, extracurricular activities)
- Families who are comfortable allowing Internet access outside the home
Not sure how much data to choose? Start with a modest plan. With Videotron, you can monitor usage in real time and adjust the plan as your child's needs evolve.
Building good mobile data habits
A first phone is also an opportunity to teach your child or teen how to manage mobile data use.
Videos, social media, video calls, music, online games, movies, and series can consume data quickly. By helping your young person track their usage from the start, you can avoid unpleasant surprises.
A few good habits to adopt:
- Favour Wi-Fi at home
- Download content ahead of time when possible
- Turn on usage alerts on the device
- Check mobile data use regularly
The Canada-International plan for families on the move
If your family travels often in Canada or abroad, a Canada-International plan can help you avoid unexpected roaming charges. Your young person can keep using their phone as usual during a school trip, an out-of-province summer camp, or a family vacation.
Especially suited to:
- Families who travel abroad
- Families with relatives or loved ones abroad
With Videotron’s Canada-International plan, calls, texts, and data can be used in more than 110 destinations.
How much data does a child or teen really need?
Mobile data is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB). One GB equals 1,024 MB. A child or teen's usage varies with their habits. Here are a few helpful benchmarks:
- Sending and receiving text messages with photos: about 1 MB per message
- Browsing the Web: about 60 MB per hour
- Streaming music: about 70 MB per hour
- Watching videos in standard definition: about 700 MB per hour
- Using social media apps such as TikTok or Instagram (browsing feeds, videos, and stories): 200 MB to 1 GB per hour*
The activities that use the most mobile data are video streaming, online gaming, and app downloads or updates. Encouraging your child or teen to connect to Wi-Fi whenever possible is one of the simplest and most effective ways to help manage data usage.
Videotron offers tools to monitor usage in real time.
How does the multiline discount work for families?
You can save on your Mobile services by grouping two or more plans under the same account and taking advantage of a multiline discount.
This discount is especially worthwhile when you add a plan for a child. Everything is centralized in one account and on one invoice, which keeps management simple.
Learn more
For more practical tips and tools designed for connected families, explore Videotron's Family Space.
*Provided as an approximate guide; may vary with the device, the apps used, content quality, and usage.
Also read
Mis à jour 05-08-2026
Version 3.0
