Starter basic mobile phone

[noworklifebalance]

This is probably in the wrong section but I don't think parenting gets that much footfall (happy to be corrected).

We are slowly getting our DC prepared for independent travel to school and will need to get the train. We would like to get a phone that has basic functionality:

• calls/texts to contacts that only we can approve
• apps that only we can add e.g. rail/bus apps
• reasonably robust!

Ideally no camera/video.

Any recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Any android phone can be locked down to minimal functionality with appropriate parental control software. We got a refurbished samsung a few years old from an online outlet and I disabled all the built-in apps I didn't want, and locked everything down so basically nothing can happen without my approval. I haven't attempted to restrict contacts to only those I approve though sonot sure if that's a normal thing.

The android family link app isn't bad but can be a bit buggy. Has the advantage of being free. Various paid alternatives are available with compare-and-contrast articles easy to find with a quick Google. I chose MMGuardian.

Be aware that lots of secondary schools use apps to set homework and have things like class WhatsApp groups.

You will need a phone that can install those.

A couple of kids in DD's class didn't have phones last year with that capability and found it a real struggle.

It's true but i wish it wasn't. The whatsApp terms and conditions say you have to be at least 14, so schools should help enforce that by saying no whatsapp groups associated with school before y10 and should promote a child-safe monitored and moderated alternative ideally for y7-9. But I doubt that will generally happen.

Thanks all - not familiar with android phones so wasn’t sure about the apps. I did look at various websites but there’s A LOT of information out there and it’s difficult to pick apart what is useful and what is targeted at the slightly older age group - DC is only at the start of Y6.
Useful info re: WhatsApp and homework in secondary school. We may cross that bridge when we come to it, perhaps upgrading to a phone with more functionality at the time.

Just seen an advert for this service which might be of interest to you @noworklifebalance

This looks great, thanks very much @SinoohXaenaHide