The right cell phone for children: This is what parents should pay attention to

Many parents are critical of the issue, after all Cell phone for children used to get along without cell phones. Nevertheless, it cannot be completely denied that a smartphone can be useful – for example when classes are canceled and the actual appointment has to be brought forward in order to pick up from school. Or in an emergency, when a child needs help in a threatening situation. However, the question arises at what age it makes sense to purchase a cell phone, since most children are under the constant supervision of their parents at a young age. In addition, a smartphone must be tailored to the needs of a child, as a wide variety of dangers lurk on the Internet.

At what age does a cell phone make sense for children?

According to current statistics, in Germany alone, around 21 percent of six to nine year old Cell phone for children and 86 percent of ten to twelve year old children have their own smartphone. Among 13 to 15 year olds, the figure is already 95 percent – but they are topped by 16 to 18 year olds: 96 percent of them own an internet-capable cell phone (as of 2024). However, that doesn’t mean that you should follow it, quite the opposite. The general educational recommendation is that children should not have their own smartphone before the age of nine. However, a type of emergency cell phone that can be used for calls but not for surfing is quite legitimate.

According to the KIM study by the Media Education Research Association Southwest, three out of five Cell phone for children aged eight to nine are online (as of 2018). The most frequently mentioned activities among young Internet users include researching search engines (65 percent), sending WhatsApp messages (62 percent) and YouTube videos (56 percent). And this is exactly why using cell phones responsibly is extremely important for Cell phone for children– young students only develop an awareness of what is right and what is wrong as they get older. A general age recommendation is that you only give your children access to the Internet between the ages of nine and twelve. You can control this using appropriate functions on your smartphone.

What features should a children’s cell phone have?

You have to be clear about this: the younger the user, the more robust the use of the Cell phone for children. Accordingly, the first phone for your offspring should be as resistant as possible to external influences – for example with a shockproof case and a screen protector. In order to keep an eye on the costs of phone calls and text messages, it is definitely advisable to purchase a prepaid cell phone. Alternatively, there are also special tariffs for children in which you can specify how many free minutes should be made available to the user. In any case, make sure that your child does not “accidentally” increase the costs, because (legally speaking) you will have to pay for the bill in the end.

How much cell phone time is recommended for children?

Even though parents tend to stare at their Cell phone for children all day, their children shouldn’t do the same. Because once you give them internet access, the temptation to surf the net for several hours a day is great. Since explicit bans unfortunately only increase the incentive to not follow the rules, you should make a clear agreement with your child. In plain language this means: Set a cell phone-free time every day, for example when homework needs to be done. On the one hand, children learn how to use their smartphones responsibly, and on the other hand, you reduce the risk of your offspring becoming addicted to cell phones. Depending on how old your child is, a maximum screen time per day of 30 minutes is recommended for seven to eight year olds and 45 minutes for eight to nine year olds, etc.

Which cell phone is suitable as an entry-level model?

1. Nokia 3310

The push-button cell phone is a real classic: the Cell phone for children conquered the digital market at the end of 2000 – and is still considered unbeatable in terms of its battery life. Aside from that, the phone is extremely robust, if not “indestructible” (say loyal fans). In contrast to its predecessor model, the new edition even has a color display and a 2 megapixel camera. And the best thing about it is: The Nokia 3310 doesn’t have internet access, making it ideal for children who only want to be able to use the cell phone for texting or making phone calls. Here you can get the model in different colors.

2. Samsung E1200

The same goes for this Cell phone for children, which your child also cannot use to surf the Internet. Here too, the phone scores points with its easy user interface and long battery life. The model is also extremely robust and also has an SOS message function that can be used in an emergency. The cell phone is therefore ideal for children if all they need to do is make a call or write a text message. With a reasonable price of around 50 euros, the Samsung E1200 is a good, solid entry-level model. Here there is the cell phone.

3. Cubot Kingkong

If you want to buy your Cell phone for children an internet-capable cell phone, the Cubot Kingkong is recommended. The smartphone is waterproof, shockproof and dustproof – making it extremely robust against external influences. Thanks to its 4400mAh battery capacity, the phone lasts for a long time, and it also has an integrated GPS module in case your child gets lost and can’t find the way home. A little more expensive to purchase than a classic cell phone, the Cubot Kingkong is still relatively cheap in contrast to other smartphones from Apple & Co. here You can find the cell phone

4. Kidicom Max

According to the retailer, this cell phone is recommended for Cell phone for children between the ages of four and ten as a sensible alternative to a smartphone. It has the advantage that the messenger function is only activated when the phone can access WiFi – ideally only at home or with friends. It also has a rotating camera and child-friendly apps that are intended to be educational. The biggest advantage, however, is that the Kidicom Max comes pre-installed with a child-safe web browser. Here you get the cell phone.

5. Lisciani Games

This Italian smartphone is just as expensive, but it stands out clearly from the other cell phones visually: The colorful display is primarily intended to appeal to Cell phone for children – this means that the Android 7.0 operating system has been visually changed. According to the manufacturer, the phone is suitable for six to twelve year olds, as the cell phone has various apps that are intended to help students learn. The technical highlights include the integrated dual camera, the 2,000mAh battery and the SOS function. Here there is the Cell phone for children.