Need a phone for an 11 year old

[IHateMyJob2004]

I think we are finally breaking down and getting my son a phone. Options include feature phones, iOS and Android.

I quite frankly just want to get him a feature phone but think that is not a real option. So, Android and iOS. What is a good phone for someone. I'm going to buy it outright and I want to get something cheap because it will probably break.

 

[Artdeco]

https://swappa.com/buy/nexus-5-unlocked

Learn to love swappa

Grab a cheap, sturdy case and you're golden.

 

[akugami]

I will be faced with this question in a few years as my kids get older. I'm leaning feature phone already. This is for them to contact us or other family members in case of an emergency. This is not for facebook or whatever the hell when they should be studying at school. Therefore, the less features (outside of making phone calls), the better.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

I will be faced with this question in a few years as my kids get older. I'm leaning feature phone already. This is for them to contact us or other family members in case of an emergency. This is not for facebook or whatever the hell when they should be studying at school. Therefore, the less features (outside of making phone calls), the better.

Agree

But there is also the risk of putting them outside the social circle. If 90% of kids communicate through apps and not text messages in a few years, they will be left out of a lot.

 

[mnewsham]

I will be faced with this question in a few years as my kids get older. I'm leaning feature phone already. This is for them to contact us or other family members in case of an emergency. This is not for facebook or whatever the hell when they should be studying at school. Therefore, the less features (outside of making phone calls), the better.

Good luck even finding these devices going forwards. Especially in a few years once your kids start reaching that age.


I could see parental restrictions becoming more robust on smart devices, but I just cant see how you can avoid it entirely.

 

[paperwastage]

I will be faced with this question in a few years as my kids get older. I'm leaning feature phone already. This is for them to contact us or other family members in case of an emergency. This is not for facebook or whatever the hell when they should be studying at school. Therefore, the less features (outside of making phone calls), the better.

get them a Nokia 33xx

and use lycamobile ($10 topup, must use it every 90 days. no data, only text/voice)

http://slickdeals.net/f/5936054-lyc...nts-text-6cents-mb?v=1&src=SiteSearch&page=62

(or use ringplus with their free option)

 

[Rakehellion]

Why not?

http://www.banggood.com/VKWORLD-VK7...ad-core-Android-5_1-Smartphone-p-1009264.html

 

[TripleThreatTLT]

One question would be what devices / ecosystem do you use now?

My kids have iPads and the whole "family" feature is quite nice. We share apps, that are bought and they don't have the option to spend any money without it notifying my phone. Also as they get older and eventually get a phone the whole find friends feature will become quite useful.