The LG Cosmos isn't touch screen.
I own one LOL.
No you don't need a data plan for it,but it's a shitty phone.
Before mine got water damage it would freeze all the time
which I've found in other LG phones I've used.
I'd say go with the KIN.
And for the person telling him not to rely on his parents,
I'm 26 and my Dad pays my cell phone bill
I have a BB Storm now which requires the $30 data plan,but I pay the data plan,and he pays the rest ($10) LOL