Your Child’s First Phone: How to Pick One They’ll Love (and You’ll Trust)

Getting your child their first phone is a big deal. It’s a step toward their independence - and it also means you’ll want to keep their digital world safe. This guide walks you through the best first phones for kids, how to set them up for safety, and how to encourage healthy phone habits from day one.

When picking a first phone, you want something tough, easy to manage, and loaded with safety features. Here are three great choices:

• Samsung Galaxy A16 5G.

The Samsung Galaxy A16 5G is a wallet-friendly phone that can handle the occasional drop (or three). It’s built for durability, making it perfect for kids who are still getting the hang of handling devices. It also comes with Samsung’s built-in parental controls, which make it easy to do things like set screen times and block inappropriate content.

Check out the Samsung Galaxy A16 5G deals on iD Mobile.

• Honor 200 Smart.

The Honor 200 Smart hits the sweet spot between performance and battery life. It keeps going all day – so it’s ideal for active kids who might forget to charge it. It also includes kid-friendly software options and safety tools that let you control what apps they use and what content they see.

Check out the Honor 200 Smart deals on iD Mobile.

• Motorola G35

The Motorola G35 is an affordable, easy-to-use phone with a clear, bright display that's great for videos and apps. It offers long battery life, solid performance, and built-in Google Family Link with screen time limits and activity tracking.

Check out the Motorola G35 deals on iD Mobile.

Once you’ve picked the perfect phone, it’s time to set it up to keep your child safe. Here’s how to do it right:

1. Turn on parental controls.

This is a must for giving your child a safe digital start. The exact method depends on the phone, but here are a few top picks:

• Google Family Link (Android & iOS): This free app is a lifesaver. You can manage screen time, view app activity, approve or block downloads, and even lock the phone remotely when it’s time for a break.
• Samsung Kids: Built into Samsung phones, this feature creates a kid-friendly world full of age-appropriate games, videos, and apps. It even lets you set limits and track usage—without extra downloads.
• Honor’s built-in tools: These are simple to set up and let you restrict access to content and apps that aren’t suitable for your child’s age, helping them focus on what’s safe and fun.
• iD Mobile app: Managing what your child can access on iD Mobile is quick and easy. Just open the iD Mobile app or log in at my.idmobile.co.uk, go to ‘Plan’, scroll to ‘Manage your iD services’, and use the toggles to enable or disable Adult Content and other services. Don’t forget to hit ‘Save’ to apply your changes.

2. Set screen time limits.

Let’s face it, kids can scroll for hours! Setting screen time limits using the phone’s built-in digital wellbeing tools helps create balance. You can allocate specific hours for schoolwork, play, and downtime, making it easier for your child to develop healthy habits from day one. Plus, it’s a great way to reduce bedtime battles and encourage good sleep routines.

3. Block in-app purchases.

Nobody wants a surprise bill because of one-too-many virtual unicorns. Disabling in-app purchases or requiring a password for all purchases keeps your wallet safe and your child frustration-free. It lets them enjoy games and apps without being tempted (or tricked) into spending money.

4. Add some useful apps.

Go beyond just fun and games. Load up the phone with apps that help your child thrive. Think educational apps that make learning exciting, messaging apps that keep them in touch with family and friends, and GPS tools so you can always check they’ve made it to school or grandma’s house. It’s all about making the phone a tool for growth and connection.

5. Tweak those privacy settings.

​​​​​​​Before your child dives in, take a few minutes to review each app’s permissions. Turn off location sharing where it’s not needed, block access to the camera or mic if not required, and disable ad tracking where possible. These simple steps help keep your child’s personal info locked down tight.

Setting up the phone is just the start. Teaching your child how to use it responsibly is the real win. Here’s how to help them build lifelong digital smarts:

• Chat about online safety. Have open conversations about what’s OK and what’s not. Explain why they should never share personal info, accept friend requests from strangers, or click random links. Keeping things casual makes them more likely to come to you if something weird pops up.
• Encourage offline time. Phones are fun, but so are board games, riding bikes, and building blanket forts. Help them find joy in the real world too. Balancing screen time with offline adventures helps reduce eye strain and boosts creativity.
• Enable location tracking. Turning on location sharing can help ease your mind without being intrusive. Some apps even let you set alerts for when your child arrives at or leaves specific places—like school, sports practice, or a friend’s house.
• Have the social media talk. Before they post, snap, or share, make sure they understand the impact. Talk about kindness, digital footprints, and why thinking before posting matters. A little guidance now can prevent a lot of headaches later.
• Check in regularly. Stay curious, not controlling. Ask about their favourite games, who they’re chatting with, and what cool new thing they learned today. Building a foundation of trust means they’re more likely to tell you if something’s wrong.

Helping your child to get the most out of their first phone - and to stay safe - comes down to a mix of smart settings and solid conversations. Here’s your quick recap:

• Choose wisely. Pick a phone that’s durable, affordable, and has family-friendly features.
• Set controls. Enable parental settings, limit screen time, and block unexpected purchases.
• Download smart. Add helpful apps for school, safety, and staying connected.
• Protect privacy. Review permissions and turn off anything that’s not essential.
• Teach safety. Talk openly about digital behaviour and the risks of life online.
• Balance screen time. Encourage offline fun and face-to-face time.
• Use location tracking. Keep tabs on their whereabouts without being overbearing.
• Talk about social media. Help them build respectful, responsible habits.
• Stay involved. Keep checking in and make phone use a shared experience.

Helping your child safely step into the digital world isn’t just about tech—it’s about teaching them how to be smart, kind, and responsible online. But don’t worry, you’ve got this! In fact, if you’ve got any tips of your own, please comment below and share with the community. It all helps.