UK '00s kid here.
If your parents weren't the type to to waste money on ringtones (directly), you were probably on pay-as-you-go, you'd buy a top-up from a newsagent/supermarket with your pocket money (or "sorry mum I couldn't reply, no credit" until she gives in).
Then it was up to you whether you wanted to spend £1.50 on a java game, 15 texts, a phone call, or WAP data. Your parents would never have to agree.
