Introducing your kids to the wonderful world of technology can be fun and exciting. Whether you’re investing in a phone so they can stay in touch with friends and family or to make the most of social media, their needs will define what device is best for them. We have a range of phones for kids to keep them happy, and at a range of budgets, to keep your bank account happy too.

There is a wide selection of top-notch mobile phones on the market, from the newest models from your favourite flagship brands to older (but just as good and more affordable) options, to ensure that you get the right phone for you and your family.

Phone contracts and deals for kids

For ease and simplicity, SIM-free phones are the most popular options for parents. You can buy the phone upfront without a SIM and then pick a SIM-only deal that works best for you. SIM-only contracts operate on a one-month rolling contract, so you have the freedom to change or cancel the contract at any point. Another great benefit of opting for SIM-only is that you’ll find deals that suit every budget, so you can ensure keeping your kids connected doesn’t cost you a fortune.

If you don’t want to purchase the phone outright, then a Pay Monthly phone is another great option. It combines the cost of the handset with the airtime cost which comes to you in one handy monthly bill – this is usually over a period of 24 months. With our Pay Monthly phone contracts, you can select the monthly allowance of minutes, texts and data to suit your child’s needs. You can also add spending limits for an additional layer of protection if they go over their monthly allowances, to stop the bills from racking up. Plus, there’s the added bonus of being able to upgrade as your child gets older.

Pay-as-you-go is another excellent choice if you’re looking for flexibility and don’t want to pay monthly for a handset. There is no contract with a pay-as-you-go phone – you only need to top up your child’s credit whenever they’re running low, meaning you only pay for what they use. And because there’s no need for a credit check or contract, it’s easy to get a kid’s phone up and running quickly.

Online safety

Online safety for kids is a top priority for parents so it’s important to know that your child is really ready for a phone. No matter their age, it’s essential to teach them proper phone safety like being careful who they share personal information with, scams and proper online etiquette – keyboard warriors aren’t cool.

When it comes to your children’s online safety, it’s best to have open communication with your child, so they know if something goes wrong, or they accidentally come across something unsavoury, that they can come to you. Set out clear rules and expectations around the device and keep checking in frequently to ensure they’re feeling safe and enjoying their experience online. /p>

But, for additional peace of mind, we provide you with various controls and limits, which allow you to protect your children from age-restricted content on mobile phones. You can adjust the level of security that you’re comfortable with.

Vodafone, which is one of our network providers, has an age-restricted content bar which is a setting that is provided as standard to protect customers under the age of 18 from age-inappropriate content on mobile devices. This includes pornography, violence, discrimination, drugs or crime. iD, who are also one of our network providers, have a similar age restriction setting. When activated, it directs users to a webpage where they have to prove their age in order to gain access to restricted content.

Track your kid’s phones

Giving your child the freedom to explore and live their own lives is important for their own growth and development but, as a parent, that doesn’t mean that you’ll stop worrying about them. There are plenty of apps out there to help you keep tabs on your kids, should you need to, and give you that extra sense of security. One popular app that can help you keep an extra eye on your child is the Life 360 app. It allows you to create a group with family or friends and lets you view everyone’s real-time locations on a map that only you can see. It also sends real-time alerts to group members when anyone arrives at or leaves certain destinations – giving you peace of mind but also minimising how often you have to send the dreaded, “where are you?” texts.

If your kids are a little older and can be trusted without the need for specific tracking apps but are prone to misplacing things, don’t worry. Most handsets will have a feature that comes pre-installed to help you find lost phones. Apple has a “Find My” feature which helps you locate your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch or AirPods by getting them to make a loud noise, so you can easily locate devices if they go walkabouts.