I have an old smart phone - how to set it up for 11 yo so only certain apps are avilable?

[stripes11]

is it wise to give an old smart phpne to 11 yo - travelling to school on public transport.
we want to use audible and duo linga - language learning app, that is why trying to have a smartphone rathe than a brick phone

I'm sure it's fine, but why are they taking it to school? Could they not have it for use at home, but not take it to school?

Google Family Link app

It’s quite common and in my eyes rather sensible for secondary school to have phones on the school journey.

Is it an iPhone?
You can set restrictions in settings to only allow apps to be installed with a password. Or only allow certain websites etc
I’m sure other phones must have similar in their settings

Set up password only to install apps- and don’t tell him the password.

My kids have iPhones and they cannot add any apps without me granting permission on my phone.

We use Google family link. You can set the phone to shut down completely between certain hours of the day, and make it so they can only download apps with parental permission.