If you’ve made the decision that it’s time for your child to have their first mobile phone or they are due for an upgrade, the choices can be overwhelming. There are several factors to consider, from the type of handset and mobile service to parental controls and compatibility with your existing devices.
One option to consider is using the phone you currently have, especially if you’re looking to replace it. With a little bit of cleaning, a new battery, and a decent case, it could be the perfect phone for your child, as long as it still receives software support. Battery replacements typically cost between £50 to £100, and your familiarity with the phone will make it easier to wipe and set up for your child.
If the phone is only needed for calls and texts to arrange pickups and emergency contacts, a basic “dumb” phone is a suitable choice. Nokia offers a range of feature phones like the 110 and 225, which cost around £20 to £50. Make sure the chosen model supports 4G since 3G services in the UK are gradually being phased out.
For a budget Android phone, there are options available in the £80 to £150 price range that offer a solid user experience. Although these phones may not be the fastest, they often have large screens and decent battery life. It’s best to avoid models running Android Go or without access to the Play Store and Google services. Additionally, check the remaining software support, which is typically two to three years from the phone’s initial release at this price range.
Nokia and Motorola offer good-value Android phones with longer software support than many others. The Nokia G22, priced at around £130, comes with Android 12 and security updates until April 2026, basic water resistance, and the ability to be repaired at home. Similarly, the Moto G13, also priced at around £130, has Android 13 with security updates until January 2026. Samsung families might consider the Galaxy A14, which costs about £150. It has Android 13 with security updates until January 2027, more third-party case options, but lacks formal water resistance.
For older children, the Google Pixel 6a is an excellent choice. Priced at around £300, it offers 80% of the high-end phone experience with a top-quality camera, solid performance, good battery life, water resistance, software updates until July 2027, and a wide range of case options.
If you’re an Apple family, the cheapest new iPhone available is the 2022 iPhone SE, priced at about £450. It provides a solid entry point to the Apple ecosystem, although refurbished models may be more economical. The 2020 iPhone SE, costing about £130 refurbished, will likely receive software updates for at least three years. While the base 64GB storage is limited, the phone is water-resistant, and there are numerous third-party cases available. Apple offers a battery service for £69 if needed. For newer models with Face ID and longer support, the iPhone 12 mini, priced at around £300, or the regular-sized iPhone 12, priced at around £320 refurbished, are worth considering.
Once the handset has been selected, the next step is choosing a phone service. Most networks automatically block 18-plus content over the mobile connection. However, some networks offer advanced controls on top of that, so it’s crucial to ensure they meet your requirements. Pay-as-you-go (PAYG) SIM cards are the cheapest starting option. Large networks like O2’s giffgaff offer better-value packs or bundles of minutes, texts, and data that you purchase on a month-to-month basis. It’s essential to check the network coverage in your area. PAYG SIM cards are usually free, allowing you to test the signal strength if you live in an area with weak coverage.
For heavier users, PAYG might be more expensive than a contract. However, managing credit, minutes, texts, and data can teach financial responsibility, and there’s no chance of bill shock once the credit runs out. Sim-only plans are another option, offering an allowance of minutes, texts, and data on a rolling monthly, yearly, or longer basis. Monthly contracts provide flexibility, but they tend to be slightly more expensive. The best-value deals can often be found with smaller virtual networks like Tesco, Asda, iD Mobile, or Smarty. It’s important to check that the coverage is suitable for your area. Many networks allow you to set spending caps and block premium-rate texts and third-party charges to avoid unexpected bills.
Family plans are another consideration. If your family already uses a specific network for their phones, adding another line to your existing plan can be cost-effective and easy to manage with a single bill. Many major networks offer discounts for additional lines, and some, like EE, allow you to share data from your plan with other SIMs on an ad hoc basis. While all networks provide some degree of parental controls, if you require stronger measures, ParentShield from Engine Mobile in Derby can provide extensive tools for a “child-safe” network. These tools include allowing parents to read all texts, record all calls, set alerts for concerning words or phrases in messages, and block all premium-rate services. However, these plans are typically more expensive, starting at around £10 per month. It’s important to note that they won’t restrict content while the phone is connected to Wi-Fi.
For children under 13, both Apple and Google offer the ability to create child accounts that are linked to the parent’s account. This allows children to use an iPhone or Android device. The choice between the two will likely depend on the platform the parent uses. For instance, if the parent uses an Android phone with a Google account, it will be easier to manage the child’s usage as part of the family account.
Even if your child has their own account on their phone, you can still apply various parental controls on either an Android phone or iPhone during setup by connecting it to your account or a family account. Both platforms offer the ability to set screen time limits, block specific apps, limit age-appropriate content in the app store, restrict permissions like access to the camera, and allow location tracking. It’s advisable to explore the parental control options provided by Apple and Google to ensure the settings are configured correctly.
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