Choosing a smartphone for kids is a complex assignment. Learn how to make a better decision with some recommendations.

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Cell phones have become a fundamental part of our lives. Inside this tiny device, there are countless functionalities, and lots of information to facilitate everyday life. A smartphone is used not only to keep in touch with family and friends, but also to entertain, solve problems, and develop new skills.

A SellCell survey indicates that 40% of US parents allow their children to have a cell phone around 10 years old. If you have children, and they keep on asking you for a cell phone, learn how to choose the ideal model and each cell phone accessory you might have to buy.

As a reminder, before purchasing a cell phone, it is important to consider some points about the child’s maturity and sense of responsibility. The kid needs to understand that they will have to take care of the device and the parents will stipulate some rules about the time spent on the device.

Models

The first thing to consider about this choice is the model you might want to give to the child. Nowadays, there are many phones developed especially for children, as well as standard smartphones that are compatible with the Kids Mode.

To choose between one or another type of device, it is important to remember the age of the child who will receive the cell phone. For younger kids, from 3 to 7 years old, the special devices may be well accepted. For children of 8 years old or more, you can give a standard smartphone with a few accessories and limited features.

Devices designed for kids

The technology market has already noted that devices for children are an important sector. The cell phones made for this public are not only desired by almost every child but also help parents to distract them.

Some models, like Relay Screenless Phone, Jitterbug Flip, VTech KidiBuzz, and Xplora Go Clip, are perfect for young children. Colorful and simple, these devices have different features and functionalities. The choice between one or another depends on the kid’s preferences.

Standard smartphones

If you are going to buy a cell phone for older kids, pre-teens, or teenagers, an average smartphone is a good choice. There are many models with the features that children want, but also with security tools, allowing the parents to take care of the use.

Although iPhones are very popular, the Android devices may be a safer bet since it has more monitoring coverage for apps and internet. To choose, you may start with simple Samsung or Nokia devices. The Galaxy family has great options, including the Galaxy J7, compatible with the Kids Mode and Google’s Family Link.

If it is a hand-me-down phone, it is important to reset the device to avoid messages, photos, and other archives that children are not supposed to see. You also must remember to choose a durable cell phone, with metal or plastic build quality. These materials present great resistance to drops and impact, which is great to guarantee the durability of the child’s device.

Accessories

Once you have chosen the device, it is time to think about cell phone accessories, which are also pretty important to protect the device from drops and other types of collisions. It may seem a silly worry, but it may help you to save money from repairs and adjustments.

Case

Cell phone cases are fundamental, no matter if the device will be with an adult or a kid. The case protects the cell phone from impact, dust, and scratches. Some can also be customized with an exclusive design for the phone’s owner. Thus, you can personalize the case with your kid’s information, to help if they lose the device.

Screen protector

The screen protectors are also a pretty important accessory for kids’ cell phones. As the name explains, it is usually made of glass, helping to protect the screen from drops and other types of impact. It is especially important to preserve the child’s health: if the screen crashes, the protector prevents splinters from loosening and cutting the child.

GoGrip

Last but not least, the GoGrip has an important function: it allows the kid to keep the device attached to their finger, avoiding drops. With a GoGrip and a phone case, the chances of the child breaking the device are considerably reduced.