Children’s mobile phone buying guide
Choosing a mobile phone for children or teens, whether it’s a first phone or an upgrade, means balancing independence, safety and what they truly need.
This buying guide helps you compare kids’ phones, understand key features and set any device up safely.
Before you buy: What does your child need right now?
Buying a phone for a 10-year-old is different from buying one for a 15-year-old. Start by thinking about what your child needs at their age and stage.
Questions to consider
- Why do they need a phone? (safety, school, travel, social connection, independence)
- How mature or responsible are they with tech?
- Have they used a phone before?
- Will it be a first device, a replacement, or an upgrade from a basic phone?
- How confident will you both feel managing safety settings?
Talk together
Before choosing a phone, have a brief conversation about:
- expectations around behaviour
- daily routines and screen time
- group chats (and how easily they can escalate)
- what to do if something goes wrong
- boundaries you both agree on
This sets a positive tone, whether children are nine or seventeen.
Choosing a type of phone
The right type of phone depends on how much independence children have and what they’ll use it for.
Basic or feature phones (calls & texts only)
Basic phones are a good option for younger children or those starting independence. Good for staying in touch on the school run or at clubs, without the risks that social media and internet browsing can bring.
Benefits
- Easy to use
- No major apps or social media
- Fewer distractions
- Durablility with long battery life
- Phone calls and basic texting
- Cheaper than smartphones
Options available
Nokia and HMD sell a range of brick phones that give children a phone for emergencies without the distractions of a regular smartphone. Basic phones that look like smartphones do exist, such as the Balance Phone, and these can help your child feel more adult when using a dumb phone.
Entry-level smartphones
Best for: upper primary and early secondary (ages 10–13).
Useful when children need messaging with friends, homework apps or travel support.
Benefits
- Allows essential apps
- Strong parental controls
- Lower cost than premium smartphones
Full smartphones
Best for: older children and teens who need more independence and flexibility.
Benefits
- Better cameras & performance
- Advanced privacy controls
- Supports school platforms & communication
- Greater responsibility and digital skills
Tip: The ‘right’ phone isn’t the most expensive, it’s the one children can use safely with guidance.
Upgrading from a basic phone to a smartphone
Many families start with a simple device and move to a smartphone later. When upgrading:
✔ Talk openly about what changes
- Access to apps and group chats
- More exposure to social media
- New responsibilities around sharing content
- Increased risk of scams, spam messages or harmful content
✔ Set expectations early
- Which apps are allowed now?
- Who can they message or follow?
- Where should the phone be kept at night?
- How will you review settings together?
✔ Start gradually
Consider:
- Limiting downloads at first
- Allowing messaging but not social apps
- Turning on content filters and screen-time tools
- Switching on app approval or ‘Ask to Buy’
Transitioning can be smoother when children know safety settings are part of the process, not a punishment or mistrust.
How to choose a mobile phone for children
Buying a mobile phone for a child can give them more independence and more responsibility. Whether you’re buying new, reusing a family device, or looking for a budget-friendly option, the right choice should be guided by safety features that protect children at their age and stage, not by the latest model hype.
Common features you’ll see when shopping
When comparing phones, you’ll often see:
- Durability ratings (water resistance, drop protection)
- Internet access and app store availability
- Built-in parental controls
- Screen time and downtime settings
- Location sharing options
- Messaging and calling features
- Camera and media functions
What to look for when comparing phones
Here is a list of key features to consider when buying a phone for your child.
Built-in device settings (standard on most modern phones):
- Ability to create a child or supervised user profile/account
- Set daily screen time limits and schedule downtime
- Filter or restrict web content and control app downloads by age rating
- Manage spending and in-app purchases with purchase approvals
- Restrict calls/texts to approved contacts (especially for younger children)
- Privacy controls to adjust location sharing and app permissions
- Review usage or activity reports through built-in tools
Add-ons and external tools (may require setup or subscription):
- Dedicated monitoring or filtering apps (e.g., parental control apps like Google Family Link, Bark, or Qustodio)
- Content monitoring services for texts, photos, or social media (where appropriate)
- Additional anti-scam and security apps to protect from phishing or malware
- Device-specific features like Samsung Kids Mode or Google’s Family Link pre-installed on some devices
- Insurance or device protection plans to cover loss or damage
Choosing phones by age
Here is age-specific list of features to consider when finding phones for kids.
For younger children (6–9)
Although the majority of children in this age group may not own their own device, if you do choose to give them one (for example, a hand-me-down, or a basic feature or ‘dumb’ phone for keeping in touch), prioritise:
- Limited or no internet access (“dumb” phones or highly restricted smartphones)
- Strong call/text restrictions to trusted contacts only
- PIN-protected app stores or no app store access
- Basic parental controls to prevent accidental spending or exposure to inappropriate content
For tweens (10–12):
- Customisable parental controls for gradual independence
- Age-appropriate content filters
- Ability to set time limits and manage usage
- Location sharing that parents can switch on/off
For teens (13+):
- Balanced controls that protect privacy but still offer safeguards
- App-by-app screen time and notification limits
- Safe social media settings and privacy tools
- Clear agreements on rules and responsibilities
How different operating systems handle safety
The software a phone runs on, its operating system (OS), determines which safety features you can use and how they work. The two most common types are Apple iOS and Android.
- Built-in Screen Time for limits, downtime, and app restrictions
- Family Sharing to approve purchases and downloads
- Strong privacy settings by default
- Communication limits to approved contacts
- Long-term security updates for older model
- Google Family Link for screen time, app approvals, and location sharing
- Variety of devices and price ranges
- Some brands (e.g. Samsung) include Samsung Kids mode for younger children
- Some Google Pixel models have extra AI-powered scam and content protections
- Security update periods vary so make sure to check before you buy
Phones designed with children in mind
Some phones are specially designed for children and tweens, often featuring:
- Pre-installed parental controls and content monitoring. Phones like the HMD Fusion X1 arrive with these controls activated by default.
- Durable, child-friendly designs
- Simplified user interfaces to reduce distractions
- Some brands (e.g. Pinwheel Phone) give parents an app on their own device they can use to manage their child’s activity
Examples include devices built on platforms like the Bark Phone (which integrates safety monitoring on Samsung Galaxy hardware) or other kid-focused models available in your region.
Connectivity, data & the right mobile plan
Pay-as-you-go
Good for younger children or lighter users.
Pay-monthly
Useful for older children needing stable data or calling.
Family plans
Allow parents to manage usage, spending and content filters.
Child-friendly network tools
Many networks offer:
- spending caps
- adult content filters
- data limits
- app blocking tools
An example of these types of plans is EE’s Safer SIMS which are plans designed to help keep children safer online.
Beyond the phone: extras to consider
- Physical protection – a sturdy case and screen protector to withstand drops and scrapes.
- Insurance or cover – check if your home insurance includes the phone or take out a policy to protect against loss or damage.
- Hand-me-downs – if reusing an old device, reset it to factory settings, update the software, and set up safety controls before handing it over.
- Monitoring apps – explore our monitoring app guides for extra oversight, especially for younger children.
Post-purchase: how to set up a phone safely
Pause on social media
Discuss how suitable social media platforms are for your child & the potential risks vs benefits before creating accounts.
Use broadband filters
Turn on broadband filters to provide basic protection from inappropriate websites.
Use parental controls
Use controls to limit chat functions, manage privacy settings & control what content children can access.
Set screen time limits
Always set screen time limits to help manage and control device usage of your child inside and outside the house.
Put sleep first
Shut down mobile phones at least an hour before bedtime and charge devices outside of their bedrooms to promote better sleep.
Create digital rules
Develop digital rules for your family, stick to them and review them regularly as children grow to ensure they remain effective.
Password-restrict downloads
Set a password in app stores to restrict what children can download on their devices.
Explore other section of tech buying guide
See our guides for safety settings across your child’s other devices.
Supporting resources and guides
Before buying your child a mobile phone, explore the following resources to help keep them safe.
Setting up your child's first device?
Get personalised safety guidance for all their devices.