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Original poster

Can I buy a mobile phone WITHOUT internet access

27 replies

mothermirth · 20/11/2014 14:57

Is it possible to buy such a thing?

I want to get a reasonably cool mobile for my teen (14 y o) DC but would prefer them not to have access to the internet when out and about because at home they are glued to a PC. Can anyone help?

Alternatively, is it possible to buy a 'normal' PAYG mobile and disable the internet?

TIA Flowers

OP posts:
Original poster
mothermirth · 20/11/2014 15:15

Ringtone-y bump Smile

OP posts:
HeartHasShattered · 20/11/2014 15:21

Youd need to buy a very basic phone. They do exist, but it won't be anything modern or overly functional.

If you buy a new phone, PAYG or contract, you can disable the internet but it can very easily be re enabled. You couldn't reliably switch it off.

SeaUnicorns · 20/11/2014 15:23

You can buy a phone with Internet access and turn off 3G and wifi

theITgirl · 20/11/2014 16:59

My DC have phones with wifi only. That is configured by the provider in our case Tescos.
Actually I love the tescos contracts we have. I paid for the phone upfront for DS but used an old phone for DD. They are on a 1 month rolling contract, once they have used their allowance it turns into a PAYG. They are responsible for any extra over their limit.

Original poster
mothermirth · 20/11/2014 17:12

Thanks for the replies.

I was hoping I'd be able to buy a phone that doesn't look too old-fashioned but maybe that isn't possible.

SeaUnicorns and HeartHasShattered do you know if there's a way to switch off 3G and wifi without a clever DC managing to turn it on again?

Passwords or something non-techie person here clutching at straws Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
mothermirth · 20/11/2014 18:22

Anyone?

OP posts:
AuntieStella · 20/11/2014 18:26

Try a festival phone like a Nokia 100 (if you can still get one) or a Nokia 105.

NoelleHawthorne · 20/11/2014 18:28

dont do this to your kids

its petty

Bunbaker · 20/11/2014 18:41

You can buy any phone you want. It is the contract that determines what you can use the phone for. Just get a contract that is for ringing and texting only.

SeaUnicorns · 20/11/2014 18:54

That's actually an option if you get a contract that only allows texting a calling then so with no data allowance and cap it to no extras your child simply won't be able to access 3G.

Not sure if there's a fool proof way of turning off wifi, if the child is able to work out the settings.

Unfortunately to go for a very basic phone like hearthasshattered suggested then it wouldn't be a cool phone.

Prehaps your best bet is something like a turning the 3G off so they can't use it when their out, and monitoring the wifi use. Thing is even with a cool phone a lot of the apps require Internet access!

Original poster
mothermirth · 20/11/2014 19:20

Thanks for making me feel bad NoelleHawthorne. I'm struggling with a DC who is addicted to the internet as it is, so just… thanks for that. Really helpful.

Everyone else, I really appreciate your help. Smile

OP posts:
NoelleHawthorne · 21/11/2014 07:19

As you well know removing the internet will not solve the issue.
Why not speak to school about it, or just turn the wifi off

bensleyfamily · 09/12/2016 07:52

Did you find one mothermirth? ASD means my daughter is socially vulnerable but is desperate for a phone. So very keen to find what you were looking for!

Backingvocals · 09/12/2016 09:02

Also interested in this. I think there's a potential market out there for a phone that's entirely dependent on a third party for functionality so you could turn bits off and on as you need to and no override available.

12thmonkey · 21/12/2016 12:21

I'm with NoelleHawthorn here.

Do you know what they are doing with their online time ? have you discussed with them what they are doing and how to manage their time online effectively. Are they also using the internet for homework. Its 2017 now, an online existence is par for the course. Cutting them off is the last thing you should do. Instead learning how to manage their time online and use it productively as well as enjoying the social aspect of it is much more important than cutting them off.

Abbyk3nt · 21/12/2016 12:32

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

BWatchWatcher · 21/12/2016 12:36

Leather sofa cleaning?
If you want an old phone why not try freegle. There must be plenty of people with old model phones in the back of a drawer. Or just get a calls only sim.

BWatchWatcher · 21/12/2016 12:39

Giffgaff has a £5 sim with only 100mb of data.

fruitpastille · 21/12/2016 14:11

I'm thinking of giving my old phone to ds but he doesn't want internet! Plus he's a bit young anyway. Tesco mobile says just to call them and they will disable it. Agree it is a bit limiting as lots of teenagers would use stuff like WhatsApp to communicate rather than text/calls.

Fairylea · 21/12/2016 14:15

I have a 13 year old dd. Any phone that they would dare to be seen with would have to have Internet. To be honest none of her friends even text or phone anymore, they all iMessage and use snapchat. I know it wasn't what you asked (sorry!) but if you don't get a phone your teen can use wifi on you might as well not get them a phone at all as they will never use it.

tribpot · 21/12/2016 14:16

This is a zombie thread.

Disabling mobile data won't stop kids from using wifi, but does keep costs down.

mamatofive · 31/12/2016 22:10

Don't feel bad for actually parenting your children. Giving them a phone with no internet access is not petty; it is responsible. The problem is the people who think that children are entitled to it and give everything to their kids.

SuperSaint42 · 06/01/2017 12:50

It is possible to purchase a phone and then have no access to the internet.

You can buy a 'simple' phone which has no internet access at all.

Alternatively, you can purchase a smartphone and turn on parental controls on your phone.

For example, I have a 13-year-old daughter and I wanted something similar for her.

I bought an Alcatel Pixi 4 (5) smartphone from 1pMobile and I am able to turn off data usage from within the settings area of my online account.

This is turned off at network level (EE) and cannot be overridden by the phone settings.

I then used parental controls on the phone to set a password in order for for the phone to be able to access any wifi, which only I know and can manage. I can simply turn it off and leave it off.

So, yes, it is possible to have a smartphone with no access to the internet.

emgem · 04/12/2017 10:09

Great advice in theory.... doesn't work practically when you're dealing with a 12yr old with a porn addiction.

onebob · 11/07/2018 11:15

Just to say - I agree that it is rude to shout you down for actually parenting your children! My children have no internet access on phones until the age of 16, at least two of them are socially vulnerable and although we have talked about self-control and practised on laptops at home this is the safest option. My children have accepted this and stand up for themselves with their peers many of whom are addicted to social media. Amongst their peers there is self-harming and attempts at suicide due to cyber-bullying. At 16 they can have what they like because they have more maturity to make a stand. Even so it is very difficult to turn off the hate for the evening and let it go. It is not wrong to try and help your children see there is another way. We don't have to be on tap 24/7.