Buying your child a mobile phone can offer them a new level of independence, but it can be tricky to know where to start. Our guide to smartphones looks at the different options that could be right for your child.
If you wish to get your child a mobile phone, here are our tips to help them stay safe.
For younger children, choose 'dumb phones' or basic phones with limited features.
Learn about dumb phonesAlways set screen time limits to help manage and control device usage.
Get screen time tipsSet a password in app stores to restrict what children can download on their devices.
Set restrictionsTurn on broadband filters to provide basic protection from inappropriate websites for all connected devices in the home.
Find a guideShut down mobile phones at least an hour before your child’s bedtime and charge devices outside of their bedrooms to promote better sleep.
Balance screen timeDiscuss how suitable social media platforms are for your child and the potential risks vs benefits before opening accounts.
Check if your child's readyUse built-in parental controls to limit chat functions, manage privacy settings and control what content children can access.
Get guidanceDevelop digital rules for your family, stick to them and review them regularly as children grow to ensure they remain effective.
Download rules templateBefore buying your child a mobile phone, explore the following resources to help keep them safe.
Get personalised safety guidance for all their devices.
GET YOUR TOOLKITExplore smartphones and dumb or basic phones for children with our guidance below.
We take a look at mobile phones that you can get for children. These options consider costs and safety to help you make positive choices for your family.
Smartphones can connect to the internet, which means parents need robust safety options. The phones below offer a range of parental controls and safety options to keep children safe online.
‘Dumb’ or basic phones are great options for mobiles that do not connect to the internet. Explore some popular options below for a more limited mobile phone experience.
A reliable and simple starter smartphone.
Secure and easy to use: Easy to lock using a front-mounted fingerprint system and intuitive software, the Nokia 6.1 is a secure starter phone for tweens and teens.
High-quality camera: With a 16-megapixel rear camera and an 8-megapixel front camera, the Nokia 6.1 is perfect for selfies and day-to-day shooting.
Since Nokia runs on the Android operating system, you can utilise Android’s built-in parental control features to manage your child’s phone usage and screen time.
Prices start from £119
If the Nokia 6.1 is slightly out of your budget, you can also consider the Nokia 3, which is priced under £100. While it sacrifices some hardware performance, it provides a more affordable alternative.
A more budget-friendly option than the rest of Apple’s iPhone line-up.
Sleek design: Enjoy videos, content and calls on a 4.7-inch Retina HD display, built with True Tone for more accurate colour. It’s also dust resistant and can withstand being submerged in up to 1 meter of water.
Photo-ready camera: The iPhone SE boasts a 12-megapixel camera for capturing high-quality photos and 4K videos. It also supports features like Portrait mode and Smart HDR for improved images.
With the latest iOS 15, the parental control settings are easy to navigate. You can set age-specific restrictions on features, manage screen time, set bedtime limits, and control access to apps.
Prices start from £389
A super-slick smartphone from Apple.
Improved design: Dust-resistant and waterproof up to 6 meters of water, the iPhone 14 has some serious tech behind it. With Face ID rather than the traditional passcode or touch unlock, it’s also far faster than its predecessor.
Cinematic video mode: With YouTube-ready 4K HDR video and Cinematic Mode built-in, this phone is perfect for budding filmmakers. Plus, you’ve also got Action Mode which removes bumps or shakes from your videos.
Like other iPhones, Screen Time and Family Sharing allows you to set age restrictions, manage screen time and more.
Prices start from £699
Secure, packed with parental controls and a great camera.
High-quality camera: Google’s Pixel phones are renowned for their camera quality, and the 4a is no exception. It has a 12.2-megapixel rear camera that captures great snaps, even in low light.
Compact and lightweight design: With a compact and lightweight design, the Pixel 4a has a 5.81-inch OLED display. Perfect for watching YouTube.
The Pixel 4a has a built-in Dashboard that provides an overview of how time is spent on the phone. This includes usage statistics for different apps, phone unlock frequency and more.
There’s also a helpful Wind-Down feature that gradually fades the screen to grayscale as bedtime approaches, making it easier for children to disconnect from their devices.
Prices start from £140.00
The perfect starter phone for tweens and those only needing simple features.
Simple and easy-to-use: With essential features like a colour screen, the ability to make calls and basic web-browsing capabilities, the Nokia 3310 is distraction-free.
Snake game: The Nokia 3310 continues the tradition of Snake with an updated version pre-installed.
Unlike most smartphones, you don’t have to worry about risks such as in-app purchases or access to social media. However, it’s still important to stay on top of how they use their device and who they contact.
Prices start from £59.00
Built in MP3 player, super-long battery life.
Simple and easy-to-use: Made essentially for texting and talking, the Nokia 8210 4G is pretty much the Nokia of your childhood.
Tougher than your average phone: Known as one of the most durable phones on the market, this Nokia can take a few falls and scuffles, without damaging the screen.
The Nokia 8210 4G is a basic phone, meaning it doesn’t have smartphone features. Children can use the device to call or text but cannot access the internet or apps. It’s a great place to start.
Prices start from £64.99
A bit smarter than your average dumb phone.
280 hours of battery life: With very few applications, the TTfone TT240 has a huge battery life that allows kids to stay in contact without needing to charge.
Access to WhatsApp: Unlike most non-smartphones for kids, TTfone has access to apps like WhatsApp and Google Maps. If your child doesn’t meet the age requirements, however, you can remove access.
With very few smart features and the ability to limit access to the pre-installed ones, the TTfone is a great way to introduce technology, without worrying about what your child could be accessing.
Prices start from £39.00
