Smart phone without Internet browsing ability

[HorrorFan81]

Is it possible to have a phone that allows calls, texts, WhatsApp and maps, but you can't browse the Internet? Or a way to set a phone up to restrict this?

No

Yes, Nokia have brought a brick out that has limited shit on it I'm sure I saw somewhere. A little more than the retro Nokia had.

On iPhones you can restrict the whole phone or whatever apps you like using the screen time function. You have to set a 4 digit code to control it. If setting up for a child, they can request more time/access to apps which will ping a request through to your phone, and you can approve an extra minute, 15 mins, an hour or all day from there. You can also do this for yourself too, but obv it’s easy to put in your own code for more time if you want to.

Also google ‘dumb phones’ if you want something more 90s.

You could do it and then use family controls to block all other apps / internet time?

Android have a good parental control function called Family Link. My DD has a smart phone with all the usual built in app stuff but no chrome or YouTube (blocked in family link). She has some apps but they are time restricted (WhatsApp, Roblox, Spotify) and I am able to lock her phone at 7pm - although crucially she can still make emergency calls and contact us.

It works really well for us 😊

You can do this on an iPhone easily enough

Ah brilliant thanks. We have android so this sounds exactly what I'm looking for

Thanks, should have mentioned we are android but someone else explained how to do it on android

You can remove smart features on an iPhone quite easily. Works well for my teen.

Thanks, this seems like the best option

Thanks, should have mentioned we are android but others have explained how to do it on there 😀

Would love to know how you block Chrome. We use Family Link and can't even set a time limit on it.

It's crucial to the operation of the phone apparently so can't be blocked.

Have a look at the Balance Phone. It's android based and aims to allow functionality, whilst restricting distractions. I've been reasonably impressed so far.

I've blocked Google Chrome on family link

Guess I'll need to have another look at that!