Best phones for kids

There isn't one phone that's the best for kids, it really depends on their age, how often they'll use it, and how much control you want as a parent. For an 8-12-year-old, the Samsung Galaxy A16 or Galaxy A26 can run Youtube, lots of games, and apps for schools, as well as being able to link to a Google Family account for parental controls. For teenagers, the iPhone 16e is a great shout as it has all the great features Apple users love, while being a little more cost effective than the newer models.

For a young child, you'll need something reliable, simple to use, has great parental controls and isn't too expensive. (We know even the most careful kiddos can have butter fingers.) The Samsung Galaxy A16 or Galaxy A26 is a great choice since you can link it to your Google Family account to check in on how they use it, as well as setting rules about what apps they can download.

There's no set answer for when a child is old enough to get their first phone, though for many families just before high school (around 10 to 11) makes the most sense. If your child will be going out on their own more and walking to or from school, they'll need one to reach you if they’re running late or having dinner at their friend’s house.

It’s really something that needs to be decided based on your family and lifestyle, but there are plenty of good reasons for a 10-year-old to have a phone. Usually, it's because they might need to reach you when walking to school, spending time at their friends, or arranging pick-ups from after-school activities. A phone can give both the parent and child some peace of mind.

The safest phone for kids is usually the one that gives parents the most control over screen time and what apps your child can use. iPhones give parents access to Family Sharing plans and screen time features, while Androids use Google's Family Link to set limits, filter web content, and block apps.

Phones can be good for kids, but it depends on how they use them and for how long. They help kids get in contact with parents in emergencies, keep in touch with friends, use studying apps, and play games. Screen time should always be limited and parental controls used to keep phone use safe and positive.

It's not that phones are unsafe for children — they just need the right settings to make sure they're used appropriately. You should turn on the parental controls first thing, set screen-time limits, and make sure you have to approve any apps they want to download.

Yes, there are plenty of great options if you want a phone that'll only call and text. A simple solution is to go for a traditional mobile that doesn't come with app stores or social media, like the Nokia 105 or the Doro phone. But for an equally simple solution, parental controls can be used to block web browsers, require approval for app downloads, and restrict websites on your typical smartphone.