Remember a time when we gave our children cell phones solely for emergencies? That’s no longer the case. Simply look around and you’ll see that mobile phones are pretty much a playground essential, and phones for kids are being sold at most stores.
Some parents are reluctant to give their daughters/sons a smartphone, though. This doesn’t change the fact that staying connected is a necessity to both children and adults today. As kids spend more time away from home, you’d want them to stay in touch through whatever means possible.
Even with these things considered, giving your child a phone could pose as a financial and security risk. Considerations have to be weighed so the smartphone you give won’t be the reason your child’s safety is compromised.
Before you scour the market for a suitable phone, here are a few factors to help you make the right choice:
Considerations before Getting the Right Phones for Kids
Network
Different networks typically offer a variety of family plans and you need to see which ones work for you. Some family plans even offer the ability to make calls to designated lines, even when the phone needs topping up. Do your homework and we’re sure you’ll find an offer that suits your family’s requirements well.
Contract vs PAYG
Data for internet browsing has limits and will cost a pretty penny the moment you exceed the cap. While you may be aware of this, your child may not. To avoid incurring extra charges when your kid goes over the data allowance, go for a Pay-As-You-Go setup. In most cases, this pre-pay system keeps your children’s online habits and your mobile expenses in check. Getting them a smartphone on a monthly contract isn’t always a wise move despite the promise of paying only a regular amount each month.
Adult Content Filters
The good news is that most networks offer filters to prevent users from seeing media content reserved for anyone over 18. Keep in mind, however, that these filters can be easily bypassed by connecting the handset to any Wi-Fi connection. In that case, learn about everything you need to know about parental controls. You’ll be surprised at how robust modern technology has become at blocking unwanted sites across different devices and scenarios.
Mobile OS
Part of getting your child a new phone is choosing whether to give them an iPhone or Android device. When you’re not too sure which of the two to pick, keep in mind that both mobile operating systems offer varied ways to restrict access to websites and disable a user’s ability to purchase apps. In other words, either OS would be great for your child! It’s worth noting, though, that smartphones running iOS keep things simpler for parents than those built with Android OS.
A basic phone is usually deemed to be appropriate in cases when your kid only needs one for emergencies. Getting your kid a more complex device may require you to think about your kid’s online habits and safety. In that case, take note of these factors to help you decide what mobile setup would best suit your young one.
Top 5 Phones for Kids
Speaking of mobile phones for kids, here are a few you’d want to keep your eyes on:
iPhone SE
Not only does the iPhone SE share the same specs with the iPhone 6S, but it’s also more compact and affordable. It’s definitely among the best “smaller” smartphones out there that easily fits into your child’s hands! The iPhone SE also has excellent battery life and can be paired with plenty of protective cases.
Beyond its excellent specs, the iPhone SE gets a nod because of Apple’s “Restrictions”. It’s a parental control system that restricts control for internet browsing, apps, microphone, TV shows, Siri voice interaction, and more. In other words, you can determine the content that your child can see anytime.
Microsoft Lumia 550
Every curious child would love to have Cortana answering their questions whenever inspiration strikes them. The studious ones would want to access and edit homework and projects while on the bus to school. These are just two big reasons why getting your child a Windows phone makes a lot of sense. With Cortana and OneDrive integrated into Microsoft Lumia 550, your child can have powerful tools at their disposal that may help them better excel in school and in life.
Besides being an economical option, the Lumia 550 helps you manage the apps your child is able to download and use. That’s credit to its access to Microsoft’s My Family parental control system. It’s also capable of linking to Xbox Live so your kid can enjoy Xbox 360 beyond the console.
Kurio Phone
Many have touted this Android phone as an ideal first smartphone you can ever give to your young one. We totally agree with that claim. It offers more than just the power to choose what applications can be installed on the handset, first of all. On the Kurio, you can limit the amount of time your kid spends using apps, playing games, sending SMS, or making calls. It even sends you notifications if your little one ventures beyond a pre-determined designated area using its geo-location feature.
In short, it’s smart, safe, and practical. Clearly, its makers had children’s welfare in mind while designing this amazing cell phone.
Motorola Moto E
Devices often get lost or damaged in the hands of a child, so it’d be wise giving them a mobile phone that’s affordable yet reliable. In that case, give your kid a 2nd generation Motorola Moto E for a first smartphone. It’s easy on the wallet and quite stacked for such an affordable handset! Been looking for a budget-friendly Android phone to give to your kid? This could be it.
While other affordable phones for kids tend to disappoint in terms of performance, the Moto E is built to perform at par with your tween’s voracious online habits. It’s a clever choice, if you ask us.
Asus ZenFone 3 Max
Monitoring your child’s whereabouts throughout the day may be too much to ask from ordinary smartphones. That’s considering many don’t have enough juice to keep them running all day. This isn’t the case with Asus ZenFone 3 Max. It has a gigantic battery so you can be sure your child remains connected round the clock.
Besides a great battery life, the ZenFone 3 Max has specs that’d make your child’s online experience a blast. Fingerprint sensors, 13MP camera, and a 5.2-inch display—definitely one mobile phone your young one wouldn’t mind showing off to friends!
Although there are so many great phones for kids on the market, only a few may be best suited for your child. Once they’re old enough to ask you for one, you’ll be hard-pressed not to search for those rare, child-friendly options. Luckily, we’ve rounded up a few of the best here.
As your little angel receives her very first smartphone, teach her how to properly clean her mobile phone. This way, you can protect both her health and her new device.
