{"id":214622,"date":"2021-03-30T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-03-30T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/"},"modified":"2021-03-30T16:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-03-30T13:00:00","slug":"does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/","title":{"rendered":"#Does Your Kid Really Need a Smartphone? \u2013 Review Geek"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af6b455eda3e\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6af6b455eda3e\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Basic_Phones_vs_Smartphones\" >Basic Phones vs. Smartphones<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Basic_Phones\" >Basic Phones<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Smartphones\" >Smartphones<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Pros_and_Cons_of_a_Basic_Phone\" >Pros and Cons of a Basic Phone<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Pros\" >Pros<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Cons\" >Cons<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Pros_and_Cons_of_a_Smartphone\" >Pros and Cons of a Smartphone<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Pros-2\" >Pros<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Cons-2\" >Cons<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Parental_Control_Apps_Screen_Time_and_Digital_Well-being\" >Parental Control Apps, Screen Time, and Digital Well-being<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Costs_Service_and_Choosing_the_Right_Device\" >Costs, Service, and Choosing the Right Device<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Product_Recommendations\" >Product Recommendations<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#A_Simple_Flip_Phone_GreatCall_Lively_Flip\" >A Simple Flip Phone: GreatCall Lively Flip<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#Smartphone_Looks_Basic_Phone_Features_Gabb_Z2\" >Smartphone Looks, Basic Phone Features: Gabb Z2<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#For_Android_Users_Google_Pixel_4a\" >For Android Users: Google Pixel 4a<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/does-your-kid-really-need-a-smartphone-review-geek\/#For_iOS_Users_Apple_iPhone_SE\" >For iOS Users: Apple iPhone SE<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p><strong>&#8220;#Does Your Kid Really Need a Smartphone? \u2013 Review Geek&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-content-area\">\n<figure style=\"width: 1920px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-73555 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/03\/c7834a77.png?width=1200\" alt=\"Cute child looking at smartphone while sitting next to parents on couch\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1080\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/cute-little-girl-making-selfie-on-437258182\" data-credittext=\"bbernard\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/cute-little-girl-making-selfie-on-437258182\">bbernard\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Giving your child their own smartphone is a big decision for parents to make. After all, it\u2019s an easy way to stay in touch with them, but there are tons of risks to consider as well, like online safety. To help you make the decision for your kids, we dove in and explored the pros and cons of doing so.<\/p>\n<p>For the sake of this discussion, we are defining \u201ckid\/child\u201d as anyone under the age of 10, and \u201ctweens\u201d as those who are either 11 or 12. While this article focuses on advice for parents of kids, it can just as easily <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>ly to tweens as well.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, we know each family has their own rules and ideas regarding kids using <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/technology\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"4\" title=\"Technology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">technology<\/a>. As such, the ideas we discuss in this article are only meant to be suggestions, and are designed to act as a jumping off point for facilitating discussions with your own kids about your family\u2019s unique phone usage rules.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basic_Phones_vs_Smartphones\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_BasicPhonesvsSmartphones\">Basic Phones vs. Smartphones<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Your two phone options here are smartphones and basic (non-smart) phones. Which one you choose comes down to what types of things you want your child to have access to, cost, and your family\u2019s personal rules when it comes to technology. Below, we\u2019ve listed out the general features you can expect from either device type.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Basic_Phones\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_BasicPhones\">Basic Phones<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>When thinking about basic phones, think of the phones we had in the early 2000s, like the Razr flip phones, the slide-out Sidekicks, and the iconic Nokia brick phones. These phones were great for sending texts and making texts \u2026 but that was about it.<\/p>\n<p>Today, basic phones are still centered around this basic functionality but offer a few additional features like a camera, games, music, or even smart assistant integration (like Alexa). Some of these phones even have GPS capabilities, allowing you to track your child\u2019s location.<\/p>\n<p>The simple functionality of these phones is great for younger kids, as there\u2019s nothing too complex for them to have to deal with. And many of them don\u2019t even offer any internet connectivity,\u00a0so you won\u2019t have to worry about your child accessing costly app downloads, unsavory content online, or the perils of social media.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Smartphones\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_Smartphones\">Smartphones<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Odds are, you\u2019re already familiar with smartphones and have owned several in your lifetime. But in case you\u2019re not, simply put, smartphones are devices that can call, text, and access the internet, and they\u2019re the phones pretty much everyone has these days.<\/p>\n<p>These phones have a far more robust feature set, better hardware, and the ability to access pretty much anything you want. Through each smartphone\u2019s app store, you can even download apps like games and streaming services, or those for productivity and communication. They even have built-in browsers that\u2019ll let you access anything you\u2019d be able to on a laptop or desktop computer. And with their additional functionality, they\u2019re a better choice for older kids and tweens.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros_and_Cons_of_a_Basic_Phone\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_ProsandConsofaBasicPhone\">Pros and Cons of a Basic Phone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-73559 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/03\/aa1cab7f.png\" alt=\"Outdoor portrait of happy children leaning on fence and looking at smartphones\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/outdoor-portrait-positive-american-girls-boys-560891335\" data-credittext=\"Iakov Filimonov\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/outdoor-portrait-positive-american-girls-boys-560891335\">Iakov Filimonov\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Now that we\u2019ve defined what a basic phone is and briefly talked about what features these types of phones can have, let\u2019s dive into the nitty gritty. Here are the pros and cons of giving your child a basic phone (rather than a smartphone):<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_Pros\">Pros<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>The most notable feature of basic phones is how affordable they are. Without the top-of-the-line hardware and other fancy features, all these phones have to offer you is a way to make calls and send texts. It\u2019s limited, but fantastic if all you want is a way to be able to contact each other in an emergency or to check-in on after school plans. Plus, because they\u2019re so basic, these phones are super easy for younger kids to use and can even help them start to develop independence.<\/p>\n<p>The majority of the devices also lack app stores and internet access. With a bare-bones basic phone, there won\u2019t be any way for your child to rack up an expensive bill from costly apps and microtransactions, access inappropriate content online, or deal with the peer pressure and other potential perils of social media.\u00a0With some basic phone options totally sidestepping these risks, you can feel safe about leaving these phones around your kids all the time\u2014it\u2019s simply a way for your child to contact you if they need, or vice versa, and nothing more.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cons\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_Cons\">Cons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>As stated above, these phones are incredibly basic and limited in their functionality. If you do choose a basic phone for your older child or tween, there could be negative impacts as well. Their peers might bully them for not having a cooler phone, and the device could limit how they interact with friends (no iMessages, WhatsApp, or other popular chat apps). It could also hold older children back from certain experiences their peers are having on their smartphones.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, and silly as it sounds, kids who use iPhones might even shun those who don\u2019t, a <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.fastcompany.com\/90391587\/why-we-dont-want-you-and-your-android-green-bubbles-in-our-imessage-chat\">phenomena<\/a> known as \u201ciMessage lock-in.\u201d iMessage is Apple\u2019s proprietary chat app, and all Apple users\u2019 chats show up as blue (apparently good), while non-Apple users\u2019 chats show up as green (apparently uncool). Oftentimes, non-iPhone users are left out. This is also something to keep in mind if you choose to get your child a smartphone.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros_and_Cons_of_a_Smartphone\"><\/span>Pros and Cons of a Smartphone<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We know what a smartphone is and have talked about the additional features and access they have compared to basic phones. Now, let\u2019s take a moment to discuss the pros and cons of giving your child a smartphone.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pros-2\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_Pros\">Pros<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Smartphones are powerful devices, flush with all kinds of cool features and apps. With them, it\u2019s even easier to keep tabs on their whereabouts and what they\u2019re up to. You have a variety of ways to contact them, even beyond texting or calling, and these devices <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/57414\/google-is-killing-trusted-contacts-removing-the-app-today\/\">have ways to show you exactly where your child is. This is great if they get lost somewhere, or if they lose their phone and you need to recover it.<\/p>\n<p>With a smartphone, your child can also easily connect with their friends and classmates. Whether they\u2019re discussing stuff for school or just chatting, smartphones make it easy to talk to anyone they want to. Through each smartphone\u2019s app store, kids can download fun games and a variety of apps, whether for leisure or productivity. They might want to watch cool videos on sites like YouTube, listen to the latest music, or find an educational game or app that helps them do their homework and otherwise prepare assignments.<\/p>\n<p>Smartphones are also a great way to help develop a sense of responsibility. Because it\u2019s their phone, they\u2019ll need to keep track of it and keep it charged every day. Your child can also start building a sense of independence by using a smartphone\u2019s productivity apps, like the alarm clock, calendar, or to-do lists. Having a smartphone will make it so your kid doesn\u2019t feel out, as most kids have smartphones these days; to some degree, it\u2019s a peer-pressure status symbol.<\/p>\n<p>Lastly, by learning to use a smartphone at a young age, your child is learning to use technology that\u2019s central to modern day life. It\u2019s a ubiquitous and necessary technology they\u2019ll have to know how to navigate at some point, and is no different than them needing to learn how to type or use the internet. By learning how to interact with device interfaces and apps, they\u2019ll be set up for success in today\u2019s technology-driven world.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Cons-2\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_Cons\">Cons<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<p>One of the most notable cons of buying a smartphone for your kid is just that \u2026 having to buy a device that costs multiple hundreds of dollars. And that\u2019s before the added cost on your monthly phone bill, data overages and app costs, phone cases, and (heaven forbid) a replacement phone if they damage or lose theirs. At the end of the day, a smartphone is another investment and another monthly bill.<\/p>\n<p>The other big issues are security and safety because these devices can access the internet. From inappropriate content online and cyberbullying or harassment on social media platforms, to corporations tracking and targeting your child with ads, and even myriad privacy concerns like stalking, smartphones open your child up to several potential hazards. If you don\u2019t talk with your child about how to safely and responsibly use their smartphone (or the internet in general), and if you don\u2019t set any limits or use parental control apps (which we talk about in the next section), your child is vulnerable to these issues.<\/p>\n<p>Smartphones can also be distracting. Between chatting with friends, playing games, taking photos and videos, and using various other apps, it\u2019s enough to pull your child\u2019s focus away from school, hobbies, and even family time during dinner. There\u2019s also the risk of becoming addicted to the device as well, if limits aren\u2019t set on apps or device usage, and if moderation isn\u2019t taught.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Parental_Control_Apps_Screen_Time_and_Digital_Well-being\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_ParentalControlAppsScreenTimeandDigitalWellbeing\">Parental Control Apps, Screen Time, and Digital Well-being<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-73561 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/03\/424c68ef.png\" alt=\"Asian family using smartphone with young daughter at home\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/happy-asian-family-using-phone-playing-1695057400\" data-credittext=\"Pond Saksit\/Shutterstock.com\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.shutterstock.com\/image-photo\/happy-asian-family-using-phone-playing-1695057400\">Pond Saksit\/Shutterstock.com<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Where basic phones have limited functionality and limited access to apps and the internet, smartphones, by default don\u2019t. This can be a point of concern for parents. Likewise, parents may also worry about how many hours a day their child spends on their smartphone and whether or not they know how to safely use it. But thanks to parental control apps and services like Screen Time and Digital Wellbeing, it\u2019s easy to track your child\u2019s device use and teach them how to use it responsibly.<\/p>\n<p>With parental control apps (available for both Android and iOS devices), you can set up internet filters, block certain apps, get reports on daily and weekly usage. Some apps can even track where the phone is or send you a notification when your child enters or leaves a set area (like home or school), which is a handy way to keep an eye on them when you\u2019re away at work, or even to find the phone if your child accidentally left it somewhere.<\/p>\n<p>Apple\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT208982\">Screen Time<\/a> feature works on iOS devices and tells you how much time your child is spending online and in apps. It also lets you set limits on how many hours a device (or specific app) can be used each day, as a way to encourage downtime and discourage digital addiction. You can also have your say on which apps are always allowed (to call or text you in an emergency, for example).<\/p>\n<p>Similarly, Android\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.android.com\/digital-wellbeing\/\">Digital Wellbeing<\/a> feature has a variety of parental controls, unplugging features, balance features, and productivity features to help kids and adults alike learn how to use their smartphone responsibly and safely, without spending too much time on it each day.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Costs_Service_and_Choosing_the_Right_Device\"><\/span>Costs, Service, and Choosing the Right Device<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It\u2019s probably not a good idea to buy your nine-year-old the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/66320\/whats-the-newest-iphone\/\">latest iPhone, because they can cost well over a thousand dollars now, but an older or more budget-friendly smartphone isn\u2019t a bad idea at all. For $400 or less, you can get your kid or tween a respectable phone with lots of great features and powerful functionality.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, you can also opt for a simpler (and far less costly) \u201cdumb\u201d phone; that is to say a phone that really only has basic call and text functionality. Typically, these only cost around $75-$100 a pop.<\/p>\n<p>You\u2019ll also need to consider the phone\u2019s monthly service plan. While most smartphones typically work on any major carrier network, this isn\u2019t always the case for basic phones. Some can be purchased with unlocked SIMs that work on a limited selection of 4G carrier bands or over Wi-Fi, but most require you to sign up for their proprietary network. These plans cost anywhere from $10-$25 per month for simple text or call-and-text plans.<\/p>\n<p>As for choosing the right phone for your child, we recommend simpler non-smartphone choices for younger kids. These have fewer features as well as fewer risks. If they want to play mobile games, access app stores, or go online, this option forces them to use a family tablet or computer instead, which will likely be with your permission and supervision.<\/p>\n<p>Likewise, for older kids, smartphones are often a better choice. These phones cost more and grant your child access to more features and apps, but are also a great way to build up trust and responsibility with your kid.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Product_Recommendations\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_ProductRecommendations\">Product Recommendations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>We\u2019re including a variety of smartphones and basic phones here. For the smartphones, we are recommending our favorite budget picks, as they offer plenty of well-rounded functionality but at the same time won\u2019t bust your wallet.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_Simple_Flip_Phone_GreatCall_Lively_Flip\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_ASimpleFlipPhoneGreatCallLivelyFlip\">A Simple Flip Phone: GreatCall Lively Flip<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-73567 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/03\/f9dcdefd.png\" alt=\"GreatCall Lively Flip phone\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-crediturl=\"http:\/\/redirect.viglink.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.greatcall.com%2Fphones%2Flively-flip-cell-phone-for-seniors&amp;key=204a528a336ede4177fff0d84a044482\" data-credittext=\"GreatCall\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/redirect.viglink.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.greatcall.com%2Fphones%2Flively-flip-cell-phone-for-seniors&amp;key=204a528a336ede4177fff0d84a044482\">GreatCall<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"http:\/\/redirect.viglink.com?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.greatcall.com%2Fphones%2Flively-flip-cell-phone-for-seniors&amp;key=204a528a336ede4177fff0d84a044482\">GreatCall Lively Flip<\/a> is a simple phone that features large backlit buttons and a display that is not a touchscreen. Dedicated arrow buttons make it a cinch to navigate the phone\u2019s simple menus, which include Text Messages, Contacts, and Photos &amp; Videos. It also has a dedicated Urgent Response button for emergency help 24\/7 and Amazon Alexa integration. Monthly plans start at <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.greatcall.com\/phones\/lively-flip-cell-phone-for-seniors\">$14.99 per month<\/a> and don\u2019t require a long-term contract.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Smartphone_Looks_Basic_Phone_Features_Gabb_Z2\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_SmartphoneLooksBasicPhoneFeaturesGabbZ2\">Smartphone Looks, Basic Phone Features: Gabb Z2<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-73572 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/03\/5ac87008.png\" alt=\"Gabb Z2 kid-friendly phone\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/gabbwireless.com\/product\/gabb-z2\" data-credittext=\"Gabb\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gabbwireless.com\/product\/gabb-z2\">Gabb<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gabbwireless.com\/product\/gabb-z2\">Gabb Z2<\/a> looks exactly like a smartphone, and even\u00a0has a large 5.45-inch display, along with a headphone jack, a fingerprint scanner for security, GPS location services, and both front (5MP) and rear (8MP) cameras. By default, the phone has no internet access, no games, and no social media; instead it offers access to texting and phone calls, a calendar, a camera, and apps for listening to music or watching videos you\u2019ve uploaded or recorded using the phone. <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/gabbwireless.com\/product\/gabb-z2\">Plans start<\/a> at $19.99 per month for Unlimited Talk and Text-Only Messages, but there\u2019s a $24.99 per month plan for Unlimited Talk and Image &amp; Group Text Messages.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"For_Android_Users_Google_Pixel_4a\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_ForAndroidUsersGooglePixel4a\">For Android Users: Google Pixel 4a<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-75463 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/03\/4afd1074.png\" alt=\"Google Pixel 4a smartphone\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/store.google.com\/us\/product\/pixel_4a\" data-credittext=\"Google\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/store.google.com\/us\/product\/pixel_4a\">Google<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For just $350, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/store.google.com\/us\/product\/pixel_4a\">Google\u2019s Pixel 4a<\/a> is a remarkable smartphone. It\u2019s got a best-in-class camera, solid battery life, plenty of storage, and great hardware to boot. The phone is relatively small but still boasts a 5.8-inch display, making it great for smaller hands. Of course, the Pixel 4a gives users access to Google\u2019s suite of productivity tools, like Gmail, Duo, Messages, Calendar, and Camera, along with the Google Play Store (where you find and download apps) and Google Chrome (an internet browser). And, as we noted above, the phone gives you access to Android\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.android.com\/digital-wellbeing\/\">Digital Wellbeing<\/a> feature for parental controls and other responsible usage features.<\/p>\n<h4><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"For_iOS_Users_Apple_iPhone_SE\"><\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" name=\"moka_anchor_ForiOSUsersAppleiPhoneSE\">For iOS Users: Apple iPhone SE<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h4>\n<figure style=\"width: 1600px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-75464 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/03\/8ed53b02.png\" alt=\"Apple iPhone SE\" width=\"1600\" height=\"900\" data-crediturl=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/iphone-se\/\" data-credittext=\"Apple\" onload=\"pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\" onerror=\"this.onerror=null;pagespeed.lazyLoadImages.loadIfVisibleAndMaybeBeacon(this);\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span class=\"imagecredit\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/iphone-se\/\">Apple<\/a><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Alternatively, if you\u2019re an iPhone family, we recommend snagging the <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.apple.com\/iphone-se\/\">Apple iPhone SE<\/a> for $400. Its compact design is great for small hands, and its use of Touch ID over Face ID makes it easy for kids to use. It\u2019s got a sizable 5.4-inch edge-to-edge display and terrific front- and rear-facing cameras, plus access to Apple\u2019s App Store and Safari (Apple\u2019s internet browser). Plus, with Apple\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/support.apple.com\/en-us\/HT208982\">Screen Time<\/a> feature, as we discussed above, you can set time limits on app and device usage and review how your child uses their phone as needed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script>\nsetTimeout(function(){\n  !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)\n  {if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?\n  n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};\n  if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version='2.0';\n  n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;\n  t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];\n  s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window, document,'script',\n  'https:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/fbevents.js');\n  fbq('init', '1137093656460433');\n  fbq('track', 'PageView');\n  },3000);\n<\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/73551\/does-your-kid-even-really-need-a-phone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#Does Your Kid Really Need a Smartphone? \u2013 Review Geek&#8221; bbernard\/Shutterstock.com Giving your child their own smartphone is a big decision for parents to make. After all, it\u2019s an easy way to stay in touch with them, but there are tons of risks to consider as well, like online safety. To help you make the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":214623,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.reviewgeek.com\/p\/uploads\/2021\/03\/c7834a77.png","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-214622","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214622","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=214622"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/214622\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/214623"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=214622"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=214622"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=214622"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}