The Ultimate Guide to Your Child's First Phone
As the advancements of the digital age show no sign of slowing down, our need to stay connected becomes more vital than ever. Despite the undeniable benefits of the rise of the smartphone and subsequent availability of 2nd hand phones, it is also a contentious topic, especially where children are concerned.
For many parents, though it is difficult to navigate the world of smart devices for their children, they also recognise the importance for kids to participate in the online culture of their peers while also staying safe and responsible.
To help you out, our ultimate guide to your child’s first phone runs through everything you need to know!
Does My Child Need a Smartphone?
One of the first questions asked by parents will often be ‘does my child need a phone?’
It’s a valid question and something that needs to be considered.
Smartphones are great for keeping children connected with family and friends, which can help them stay safe when out and about.
However, we’re all acutely aware of the risks children face when connected online, and many of us are looking to reduce the amount of screen time young minds are exposed to.
Therefore, a delicate balance must be struck when it comes to giving your child their first proper mobile at the right time in their development.
Ultimately, whether your child needs a phone or not will come down to circumstance and individuality.
The Advantages of Children Having Smartphones
First of all, let’s consider some of the biggest reasons why your child could benefit from owning a smartphone.
Connecting With Friends
As our world becomes more digital, more of our conversations are happening remotely through social media, messenger applications, video gaming and other portals. It’s the same for children, and many of them will want to stay in touch with their school friends when they get home.
There are many apps that allow children to message each other in a safe way over the internet.
Keeping in Touch
If your child has to travel by themselves for whatever reason, be it catching the bus to school or an after-school class, then you may want to keep in touch to make sure they’ve arrived safely.
Having a smartphone makes this easy, whether this means keeping touch through texting and messenger apps or having access to mobile location trackers.
Personal Responsibility
There’s something to be said about the level of responsibility required for a child to look after and use a smartphone properly.
A smartphone can be a good way of teaching these essential values, but it’s important that this lesson isn’t taught before children are ready.
Want Vs Need with Children’s Smartphones
In this modern age, it’s not uncommon for children as young as ten or eleven to have smartphones. Peer pressure and a fear of missing out will mean that your child will likely ask for a smartphone before you give them one because it’s something that their friends have, and they want to participate.
Talk to your child about what they know about phones and why they want one. Despite other classmates having personal mobiles, the right time for one child may not be right for another.
Having Discussions with Your Child About Technology
This can also be a good opportunity to have discussions about technology and what it can be used for. Having these kinds of conversations can help you decide if your child is ready for the responsibility of having a phone, or if they want one because their friends own them.
At What Age Should I Give My Child a Smartphone?
When it comes down to it, there’s no set age at which children should own their first smartphone. Whether you should give you child a smartphone will often come down to these three points:
• Do they need a smartphone for school and after-school activities?
• Do they want a smartphone to stay connected, or simply because their friend owns one?
• Are they responsible enough to know and avoid the dangers of being connected?
Various studies point to ages from between ten and thirteen as being a good benchmark for when children can own their first smartphone.
However, other studies say this is too early, and a smartphone shouldn’t be considered until the mid and late teens. Again, it will largely depend on your child.
Things to Consider for a Child’s First Smartphone
Before committing to purchasing your child’s phone, it will be useful to consider the following to help you make the best decision.
Price
You don’t want to spend loads of money on the latest device, only for it to be damaged or lost within weeks. Take the pressure off you and your child by purchasing a cheaper, second-hand model that will still give a high-quality performance but won’t mean the end of the world if it breaks.
Parental Controls
The majority of smartphones will be equipped with parental controls or will allow you to install third-party apps with similar safety functions.
Take advantage of these to monitor not only the phone’s location but also things like screen time and exposure to potentially harmful content.
Setting certain restrictions from the start can help your child develop a healthier, more moderate relationship with their phone.
Durability
As mentioned above, it’s likely that your child may accidentally drop their device at some point. For this reason, it is important to consider a phone’s durability.
You should also consider investing in a phone case and screen protector to ensure the smartphone can handle everyday bumps and backpack scrapes.
What Are The Best Phones For Children?
So, you’ve decided your child is ready for a phone of their own! Which devices make the best first phone?
Phones With Limited Functions
For children as young as ten, you may be worried about the unsupervised time they spend online. A smartphone can be right for some, but for others, choosing a phone with the basics is more appropriate.
A phone that only allows calls and texts can be useful for keeping your child connected while limiting their internet and social media access.
If you want to hold off on buying your child a smartphone for a couple of years, there are some great basic options to ensure they can contact you in emergencies.
Nokia 3310
A throwback to phones before the rise of the iPhone, Nokia’s 3310 is a modern redesign of the classic stocky model.
This mobile is not a smartphone and comes with minimal functions – calls, texts, emails, basic internet and games – thus, it’s the perfect cheap device for keeping in contact with kids on the move.
If you want a basic phone that helps you keep in touch with young children at school, then this could be perfect. Small, free from too many distractions and with a great battery, it’s ideal for chucking in a rucksack or using in emergencies.
Nokia 105 v5
Similarly, the Nokia 105 v5 is a great choice; it is sturdy, has a great battery life and very limited functions. If you’re looking for a phone that only does the bare essentials, this is definitely one to consider.
The Best Cheap Smartphones For Kids
If your child is a bit older or you feel they are ready for a smartphone, the most basic Nokia phones may not be the best option.
Samsung Galaxy J3
The Samsung Galaxy J3 can make a great choice for children because it is robust and water-resistant; this one is made to last! It has a front and rear camera to satisfy budding photographers and the phone itself comes in a range of colours.
The Kids Mode App is available with any Samsung Galaxy phone and can help ensure your child is using their phone safely. This app will allow you to stop your child from accessing harmful sites and can enable you to set up screen-time limits.
This is a great starting point to get your child used to smartphones before they are old enough for more advanced models.
Motorola Moto G8 Power
The Moto G8 Power is a fantastic budget smartphone for adults and kids alike. It has all the features your child will be after, including a decent 16MP camera and 6.4” display perfect for watching videos and films.
The biggest draw of this phone is the 5,000mAh battery, which is incredibly long-lasting, meaning your child will still be able to give you a call even when they’ve been playing games all day or have forgotten to charge it!
iPhone SE
iPhones have been consistently popular devices since their first release. While Apple’s devices are typically more expensive than Android smartphones, there are still some reasons why an iPhone can be considered a good option for your child.
For one, if you have other Apple devices at home, then compatibility issues can be avoided, allowing your child to easily AirDrop things from their phone to your MacBook, for example.
Understandably, many parents are hesitant to buy their children an iPhone due to the cost; this is where the iPhone SE comes in handy. The SE has been designed by Apple to be their most affordable device and will give your child the much-desired Apple experience without the need to break the bank.
Hopefully, you now have a better idea of where to start when it comes to your child’s first phone!
Often, second-hand phones will be one of the best options for a child’s initial introduction into the world of smartphones. Why not take a look at our extensive range of budget-friendly reconditioned devices right here at Second-Hand Phones?
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