Best phone for kids

Choosing the right phone for your child requires understanding their age, maturity level and needs. A younger child may only need a basic phone for calling, texting and GPS tracking. On the other hand, teenagers may require smartphones with more functionality as long as they’re equipped with the proper parental control features.

Consider phones that provide built-in parental control features such as screen time management, content filtering, app restrictions and real-time location tracking to help protect your child while providing you with oversight.

Beyond safety, the right phone can support your child’s learning by providing access to educational tools like online learning apps and e-books while also encouraging healthy social development. Platforms such as Khan Academy Kids, DragonBox: Numbers and Quizlet not only support academic growth but also help build early tech literacy and digital confidence. 

Your child’s demands will change as they grow, so choose a phone that can adapt while keeping their digital experience safe.

Factors you should consider when choosing the right phone for your kids include:

Age and maturity
Not all children require the same level of access. Younger kids between five and eight years old need simpler devices for emergencies like calling or texting. Preteens need limited internet access for schoolwork and online interaction, while teens can have more features with supervision.

Purpose
Think about why your child needs a phone. Is it for emergencies, school assignments or social use? Phones intended for educational or social use should serve such purposes without compromising safety.

Safety features
Prioritize phones with strong safety features such as GPS tracking, content filtering, app restrictions and screen time management that allow you to monitor your child’s activities without being intrusive. These features allow your child to explore the digital world within a safe environment.

Cost
Look for cheap phone plans for kids or bundled family plans that offer free or discounted devices. Also, look for promotions that waive device prices, further reducing costs while providing connectivity.

Durability
Kids can be rough with their devices, which makes durability an essential factor when choosing the right phone. Younger kids can drop or toss their phones, requiring phones with reinforced screens, shock-resistant cases or water-resistant features. For families with limited budgets, prioritizing durability can help save costs in the long run by reducing the need for frequent replacements.

While phones can help children stay connected, support learning and stay safe in emergencies, they can also expose them to harmful content, screen addiction and online threats. That is why emphasizing strong parental controls and mobile security practices is essential when choosing a phone for your child.

Early phone ownership can expose children to various online risks and cybersecurity threats that can impact their safety, mental health and development. Without proper supervision, kids may encounter the following dangers.

1. Cyberbullying: Social media and messaging apps can expose them to cyberbullying through harsh comments or harassment, leading to depression, low self-esteem or social withdrawal.
2. Inappropriate content: Kids may come across explicit, violent or age-inappropriate material online that can impact their emotional and cognitive development.
3. Online predators: Online predators, such as social media impersonators, exploit unsecured apps and prey on children by engaging them in unsafe conversations or tracking their location.
4. Phishing scams and identity theft: Harmful links in gaming apps, texts or email messages may contain phishing scams that can trick children into sharing personal information, which can result in identity theft.
5. Phone addiction: According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, kids between the ages of 8 and 12 spend an average of four to six hours per day watching or using screens. This habit can lead to serious health risks to their mental health and well-being.
6. Excessive screen time: Excessive screen use before bed can disrupt children’s sleep patterns due to blue light emission. Prolonged exposure can harm their eyesight and cognitive development, impacting their academic performance.

These hazards highlight the importance of parental controls and the need to mitigate risks while teaching children to develop safe digital habits.

To protect your child and ensure they enjoy the benefits of digital connectivity while minimizing online risks, consider implementing the following parental control features.

Content filtering
Content filters block access to explicit websites, adult content or inappropriate search terms in web browsers. Tools like Bark, Google Family Link and Qustodio filter and monitor online activity, while modern kid-friendly phones have built-in content settings.
 
App restrictions
Modern phones offer settings that prevent kids from downloading apps without approval while enabling parents to manually approve or block specific applications like social media and games.
 
Screen time management
Enforce daily screen time limits or schedule screen-free hours during homework or bedtime. These settings promote healthy screen time habits and reduce phone dependency.
 
Online activity reports
Regular monitoring of app usage, including screen time, website visits and app use, can help you stay informed and help encourage conversations about responsible device use.
 
GPS tracking and geofencing
GPS tracking and geofencing features provide real-time location updates and alerts when kids leave a specific area (geofencing), such as schools or homes. These features ensure you know where they are and are great for school pickups, sleepovers or emergencies.
 
Communication management
Approve contact lists to restrict the people your kids can call, text or email to prevent contact with strangers. Phones like Pinwheel allow parents to manage and approve contacts to minimize the risk of unwanted communication.
 
Regular security updates
With online threats continuously evolving, it is essential to frequently update your child’s device. Regular software and firmware updates help patch vulnerabilities, protect against malware and keep parental controls and privacy settings effective.

In addition to implementing parental controls and safety features, educate your children on cybersecurity awareness to promote responsible online behavior and safety.

Finding the best phone for your child means pairing it with an affordable plan that balances safety, flexibility and value. Providers like Astound provide customizable, cheap family plans and bundled services that you can tailor to fit your needs.

Below, we’ll explore plans for young kids, multi-line family plans and bundled services that enhance cost savings.

Affordable phone plans for younger kids focus on basic communication without internet access distractions. Prepaid talk/text-only plans are ideal for emergency phones for children as they provide voice calls and texts without the risks of apps or the internet. These programs are easy to manage and can help families avoid unexpected data costs.

For families with older kids, multi-line family plans with mix and match options offer flexibility by allowing each family member to customize their plan based on their data needs.

Astound Mobile enables households to build flexible family plans by selecting data tiers per member, letting you choose between By the Gig plans (1.5 GB or 3 GB) for preteens or unlimited plans for teenagers who stream or game frequently. This flexibility ensures that everyone remains connected without overspending.