Phones for kids. Good idea? Bad idea? The debate continues to rage over whether kids should even have a mobile phone, and if they do, at what age? This weeks guest column from our fatherly friends at ActiveDad tackles the issue head on, with mobile recommendations for the littlest callers around.
There’s no definitive answer. Some parents argue that young children don’t need a mobile phone at all. Others will suggest that it gives their kids a way to contact an adult in emergencies. That ‘peace of mind’ aspect is a powerful motivator, and phone makers are still awkwardly circling the whole idea of mobiles for children.
But some already have it licked. What’s more, there’s a mobile for every age group…
Firefly phone, 5-8 years
If you want to get a stripped-bare, locked-down phone for very young kids, then the Firefly fits the bill. It’s no smartphone, at least not in the traditional sense. But it’s certainly smart in the way it implements parental controls. There’s no texting, no internet connectivity and parents can restrict outgoing calls to numbers they store in the phone book. Total control.
It’s chunky too, with minimal buttons to call, hang up, dive into the phone book and dedicated ‘mum’ and ‘dad’ speed dial keys. Buy it SIM-free from a supplier in Ireland for €49.99.
Nokia 1800, 9-11 years
This is a ‘nope’ phone. Does it have a camera? Nope. Internet browser? Nope. Bluetooth? Nope. But the Nokia 1800 packs in a few extras to appeal to younger owners. There’s an FM radio, it can send texts, doubles up as a flashlight and has various built-in games. Cracking battery life too, at up to 34 days on standby. It’s also a steal at $4.90 on PAYG from Orange.
LG Wink, 12-14 years
The LG Wink is aimed squarely at early teens and focused on texting, access to social networking sites access and music playback. Perfect for slightly older, yet still young, kids.
Internet access brings its own set of potential problems. How do you regulate what your children are looking at? According to advice from children’s net charity Childnet International: “UK Mobile Operators have to provide an Internet filter on their phones to help block accessing material that is potentially harmful to children, such as pornography. However, with most operators you will need to ask your operator to activate the filter.”
Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, 15-16 years
The older kids get, the more that Internet access becomes a must-have feature. According to research by Ofcom one in ten kids use their phone to hop online. Once there, they’re mostly downloading music or visiting social networks.
Just over a third of them use instant messaging on their mobiles too. The Nokia 5800 XpressMusic is the perfect fit, although a pricey upfront purchase at £129 on PAYG from Orange. It’ll give teens access to the massive Ovi Music store, and even offers them unlimited free music downloads with Nokia Music Unlimited. With that in mind, you’ll likely save in the long run, even after shelling out for the phone.
Internet access and GPS is baked in too, so they can find their way home if they get lost, or chat through IM without blitzing their text allowance.
BlackBerry Curve 8520 17+ years
Your offspring’s starting to hit house parties and in 12 months’ time they’ll be rounding up friends to visit the local pub. It’s time for a smartphone, but one that won’t break the bank.
At £15 a month, including a free phone, 300 minutes, 300 texts and unlimited e-mail, the BlackBerry Curve 8520 is a solid smartie, able to run apps and, thanks to BlackBerry Messenger, it’ll send notes to teenage mates without costing a penny. Young yuppie types can even message groups of friends at once, and yes, it’ll let them phone home to make excuses for being late too.
Want more parenting pearls of wisdom? Head over to ActiveDad.co.uk
Photo credit: Ianturton
