Talk to me about your child's first phone

[tobypercy]

We're finally giving in and getting DS9 a phone. He's not at all street-wise, and I'm clueless about how to deal with the tech side. Please share your experiences and warnings.

Basic plan is a cheap Android handset and a cheap pay monthly sim.

I need to work out

• how to stop him using more data after his monthly allowance is used up
• what app or whatever I can use to "ping" his phone and find out where he/it is
• what apps to let him have - many of his friends have facebook and whatsapp, probably others but I don't know.
• can I put parental controls on, to block adult sites?
• what else I need to think about.

Nobody?

Even if nobody can answer my particular uncertainties, I'd be interested in others' experiences.

what worked for you? What would you do differently next time?

Bump for you, only experience I have is my neice has a phone ol done of her parents but doesn't have a proper contract she can only talk to people with an I phone.

Dts have iPhones from CEX and Sims from GIff Gaff. They can't go over the data allowance, it's set on the app to not switch to data if they run out. Make sure he knows how to work work

Don't know about android but I have their iCloud accounts linked to mine and they can't buy or download anything without it messaging me to approve.

They have WhatsApp and reluctantly Tim Tok but it's my account and heavily restricted.

We have a cheap android. Install google family link. You can set all kinds of controls, it pings you for approval if they want to install apps and you can check location. And it’s free!

We waited until they were 11
Old handsets until they could prove they could look after them.
Contract seemed cheaper than payg

My 11 year old got his first phone last year, he started secondary so felt it was the right time.
iPhone on plan form Tesco, has 2gb data and a bill cap meaning he can’t access any more once he’s run out.
I use find my iPhone to track him ( but never have)
Blocked all adult content sites. He has WhatsApp but no other social media and he can’t install apps without my permission

There's a thread on AIBU asking about things to do when their 10'year old gets a phone, it's worth a read. There's a lot chat about tech at 10 but also some good tips re security

@MiniCooperLover

There's a thread on AIBU asking about things to do when their 10'year old gets a phone, it's worth a read. There's a lot chat about tech at 10 but also some good tips re security

Could you point me towards the thread you're referring to? The only one I can find is this one and it's just about what age, not much on security.

What phone do you have? It’s easier to control if you have the same system.

Eg my two have iPhones because I do.

I can block websites and adult content.

I’ve set it so they have to ask to download apps and make purchases.

They have “downtime” where the phone shuts down at bedtime and overnight. I set this schedule.

I can have time limits for every single app on their phone

I have limits on which contacts they can contact during downtime.

Some good thoughts here, thank you.

I've found the "family link" app on my own phone.

Reading the AIBU thread I find it fascinating that
(a) so many parents give their kids their cast-off phones. I have no problem with it, but it's not an option as i only ever replace mine when it breaks!
and
(b) the massive number of parents here saying "not until high school" or even later. Several of DS's class had smartphones by age 6, and every other child I know in his class (year 5 equivalent) has a phone now. Maybe the "no" people are just more vocal here, or I live somewhere particularly different from the mumsnet world!

Oh and yes I can use “find my device” to see where DS (12) is. I’ve only used it if he’s late from school - usually means he’s ended up at the park 😂 but he now remembers to text me to tell me where he is.

My dd got a phone at 9. She hardly uses it 😂