Best device for listening to music for teen

[stridesy]

My son is starting to take an interest in music and I would like to get him a device so that he can listen on the go. He will be 12.7 next year. Apologies if I sound dense but I’m a bit clueless as last time I listened to music it was a cheap MP3 player. Would I need to get him a phone and what type would be best?
My son is autistic, academically able but lacks common sense. Was thinking about getting him a phone as he does go to school an hour a way. Would be slightly concerned about internet access particularly since he decided to look up something questionable on the school computer but would put filters on.

Do people still use ipods?

Just get him a phone with enough storage so he can download music to his phone.

Most teens I’ve known have just used their phone, and you can add a Bluetooth speaker for when they’re not on the move. I understand your concerns, which are valid, about accessing inappropriate online content, but you seem pretty switched on about that, and the need for filters and monitoring. Most phone companies have adult content filters as the default, and you need to very deliberately have them removed, just make sure he doesn’t have the password or email address to do it

Spotify subscription and a Bluetooth speaker to pair to his phone and he will be set!

I just play music from my phone through my Alexa.

Thanks for the replies. Things certainly seem to of moved on as I was thinking iPod but are they actually relevant.
He has an alexa which we got this year which he’s enjoying but obviously that’s not portable.
How much roughly is is for a phone? Do you pay monthly or pay as you go? Obviously something need to look into in more detail.

Phone and bluetooth speakers to listen to music.

I'd suggest buying a cheap smartphone on PAYG to start with, and see how he gets on with it.

Bluetooth headset (not speakers!) to listen to music. clearly.

Just get him a phone, there is no need for anything else.

Phones here. We bought the phones outright and set them up with giffgaff, if you buy the goody bags you can set it to renew each month.

DD is fine with the £5 per month, gives her some data and more mintues/texts that shes ever used.
DS has a longer journey to school and tends to stream music on the way hes on the £8 bag. It's fine if he sticks to YouTube music or spotify, not so much if he starts watching videos.

They aren't able to run up huge bills this way though, although on odd occasions when we've been on holiday we have bought the next goody bag early.

Make sure you set the phone to use the home wifi if it's in range.

Buy a secondhand phone and set it up so there's no internet access? DD2 has an iPhone SE (old one) I bought on eBay for her 11th birthday. I do a £1 weekly top up with EE and every 12 weeks she gets to choose a bonus of extra data, minutes or texts which is then permanent. I set it up so she can't access YouTube or Safari for the time being.

My daughter (14) stole my old Walkman today- she loves it!

Dd has a new style iPod. Has everything my phone has except an actual phone, and only works on WiFi not data