Phone recommendations for 8yr old

[RollerGirl7]

Looking for some recommendations if possible.

I am probably going to get my 8 yr old a phone shortly, I appreciate lots of people will think this is far too young (and I would usually be in this camp myself) but there's a few extenuating circumstances, her dad is ill and I want her to be able to get in touch with me if she needs to whilst at his house and I really think this is the best option.

I'm looking for something that she can call and message on, she wont need any access to general internet or social media but youtube music & roblox would be good so it needs to have some sort of internet capability.

Any recommendations - phone wise and security wise - I'm sure there must be apps that allow you to lock certain things, I've tried researching it online but most articles appear to be based on US phones/apps or are out of date.

To avoid a drip feed, she does have an ipad at her dads house and I've tried to get her dad to download an app on there so she can contact me if needs be but he's not bothered, she also rarely has any charge on her ipad there and she can go days without being able to find a charger as his house is a mess. I think he'll be more keen on getting her a phone, she wants one ( obviously says all her friends have one, which isnt true but I know a couple do) her dad loves to spoil her and wont think its anything to do with me being able to keep in touch with her but rather him just letting her have something she wants.

So please hit me with you recommendations

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MNHQ

Weve just charged up an old Samsung phone - possibly an S6. Got an asda PAYG sim. We haven't loaded it with credit as it's mainly for use in the house (DC can call us via WhatsApp if I nip out - we dont have a landline).

I'm impressed with the Google controls. I've set up a childs Gmail email, which is tagged onto mine, I can then use their parent portal type thing to set timing allowances / turns off at X time / they cant download games etc without me pressing a button.

We dont have Apple devices so I cant say whether it's easier that using their parental control options.

What I will say is, if you have an older smartphone model, just dig it out and charge it and let them use that.

Get a landline phone at your ex’s
And then I stuck a label on the back with important numbers

@Marmitemarinaded he wouldn't agree to get one, I've asked him before and he said he doesn't need or want one. Plus it would just end up lost if it was cordless

Buy a pay as you go.
And keep at his
8 too young for a phone - you know it Op
My daughter same age

One of my friends has this for her kids and we're thinking of getting one for DS. It's a watch with a GiffGaff SIM that can make and receive calls.

myxplora.co.uk

Ooh a kids smart watch like that looks good and could be the right answer

I'm thinking of getting a smart watch www.sky.com/shop/mobile/phones/spacetalk/spacetalk-kid's-watch?colour=Grey&capacity=4GB this for my daughter of a similar age.
£8 a month all in seems reasonable.