Back to school used to be all about new clothes, sneaks, folders and backpacks…but now kids younger and younger are angling for their own phones. (This includes even my nine year old fourth grader Charlie.)

An age-appropriate option for some families is a pre-paid smartphone. They make for a great first phone for tweens and teens, as it is easy to manage family funds and their phone and data usage without a contract. They can be shared by siblings when heading to the movies or activities to call home. Pre-paid phones are also super for caregivers and babysitters to stay in touch with parents and without the commitment of annual contracts.

Several of our family members use pre-paid phones, and we are considering (the parental jury is still out) obtaining one for Charlie to have to call home when he is attending activities. I believe pre-paid phones provide technology that can keep families safe and connected.

That’s why I am super proud to offer a lucky reader one Prepaid LG Optimus Zone from Verizon. Users can have all the fun of a smartphone (photos! e-mail! a touchscreen!) with flexible plans and no annual contract. You can look up items on the web on the full-color 3.2–inch display screen and text using the touchscreen virtual keyboard. The phone retails for $249 alone, but right now during the back to school promotion you can purchase for a mere $52.99 (well, if you do not win it free from this giveaway.) More back to school awesome: free shipping and free activation on pre-paid phones.

Photos and video captured using the LG Optimus Zone’s 3.2–megapixel digital camera look just as bright and clear as fancier Android models. Browse and download thousands of apps, games, books and movies from the Google Play Store. Gmail, Google+, Maps, Navigation, Play Magazines, Play Music and other apps come preloaded, so you can send quick updates to your social networks, listen to your favorite music.  You can even watch videos via YouTube.

Verizon’s Prepaid Smartphone Plans give you unlimited talk and text with the freedom to select the data plan that’s right for you. Get 2GB of data for only $60 per month or 4GB of data for $70 per month. Stream more music, games and movies with no annual contract and no credit check all on Verizon’s reliable high–speed wireless network.

Enter the Rafflecopter below for multiple chances to win the Prepaid LG Optimus Zone from Verizon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: No compensation or product was received for hosting this giveaway. As a member of the #VZWBuzz lifestyle blogger panel, I receive products for review. All connection and data plans are covered by me.