Does your court order require that Dad pay for the child's cell phone? If not, and he is voluntarily doing so, that could account for less money to pay for the child support obligations.
IMHO, a child does not require a cell phone. But if the master decides it is a permissible expense, then you have no choice but to go with it.
I think the world has changed a lot since you were a kid. OP didn't say how old the child is, but there are plenty of circumstances where it really is important.
For example:
- Parent is supposed to pick child up at school (or after-school care) and is delayed for some reason. With a phone, they can let the child know to sit tight or give other instructions.
- School schedules play practice (or extra basketball practice or whatever) and kid will not be ready to go when school lets out. A cell phone saves the parent a couple of hours of waiting at the school.
- Kid goes to a friend's house and there's something going on that they are not comfortable with (parents fighting, heavy drinking, drugs, etc). They may not want to ask to use the family phone, but with a cell phone, they can call for help
- 9-1-1
- Child was given permission to go with a friend to Starbucks after school and parent forgot. Went to school and kid wasn't there. Instead of frantically searching every inch of the school and calling the police, a quick phone call resolved the problem.
My daughter has had a cell phone since she was 10, IIRC, and it has helped with several of the above circumstances. I agree that a cheap, prepaid phone is all that's really required, but I don't think the 'Kids don't need a cell phone' viewpoint is all that valid any more.
I agree with the rest of what you wrote, though.