Remember a time when we gave our children cell phones solely for emergencies? That’s no longer the case. Simply look around and you\u2019ll see that mobile phones are pretty much a playground essential, and phones for kids are being sold at most stores.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Some parents are reluctant to give their daughters\/sons a smartphone, though. This doesn\u2019t change the fact that staying connected is a necessity to both children and adults today. As kids spend more time away from home, you\u2019d want them to stay in touch through whatever means possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019t be the reason your child\u2019s safety is compromised.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before you scour the market for a suitable phone, here are a few factors to help you make the right choice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019re sure you\u2019ll find an offer that suits your family\u2019s requirements well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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\u2019s online habits and your mobile expenses in check. Getting them a smartphone on a monthly contract isn\u2019t always a wise move despite the promise of paying only a regular amount each month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a>. You\u2019ll be surprised at how robust modern technology has become at blocking unwanted sites across different devices and scenarios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Part of getting your child a new phone is choosing whether to give them an iPhone or Android device. When you\u2019re 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\u2019s ability to purchase apps. In other words, either OS would be great for your child! It\u2019s worth noting, though, that smartphones running iOS keep things simpler for parents than those built with Android OS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking of mobile phones for kids, here are a few you\u2019d want to keep your eyes on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only does the iPhone SE<\/a> share the same specs with the iPhone 6S, but it\u2019s also more compact and affordable. It\u2019s definitely among the best \u201csmaller\u201d smartphones out there that easily fits into your child\u2019s hands! The iPhone SE also has excellent battery life and can be paired with plenty of protective cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond its excellent specs, the iPhone SE gets a nod because of Apple\u2019s \u201cRestrictions\u201d. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>, your child can have powerful tools at their disposal that may help them better excel in school and in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides being an economical option, the Lumia 550 helps you manage the apps your child is able to download and use. That\u2019s credit to its access to Microsoft\u2019s My Family parental control system. It\u2019s also capable of linking to Xbox Live so your kid can enjoy Xbox 360 beyond the console.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In short, it\u2019s smart, safe, and practical. Clearly, its makers had children\u2019s welfare in mind while designing this amazing cell phone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Devices often get lost or damaged in the hands of a child, so it\u2019d be wise giving them a mobile phone that\u2019s affordable yet reliable. In that case, give your kid a 2nd<\/sup> generation Motorola Moto E for a first smartphone. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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\u2019s voracious online habits. It\u2019s a clever choice, if you ask us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monitoring your child\u2019s whereabouts throughout the day may be too much to ask from ordinary smartphones. That\u2019s considering many don\u2019t have enough juice to keep them running all day. This isn\u2019t the case with Asus ZenFone 3 Max<\/a>. It has a gigantic battery so you can be sure your child remains connected round the clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Besides a great battery life, the ZenFone 3 Max has specs that\u2019d make your child\u2019s online experience a blast. Fingerprint sensors, 13MP camera, and a 5.2-inch display\u2014definitely one mobile phone your young one wouldn\u2019t mind showing off to friends!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Although there are so many great phones for kids on the market, only a few may be best suited for your child. Once they\u2019re old enough to ask you for one, you\u2019ll be hard-pressed not to search for those rare, child-friendly options. Luckily, we\u2019ve rounded up a few of the best here.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMobile OS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Top 5 Phones for Kids<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
iPhone SE<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Microsoft Lumia 550<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Kurio Phone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Motorola Moto E<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Asus ZenFone 3 Max<\/h3>\n\n\n\n