Top 15 Safe Phones for Kids and Teenagers in 2023

When choosing a phone for kid, you will want to take a number of things into consideration, such as the age of your child, their maturity and sense of responsibility, how much you are willing to spend on a device, and what kind of safety features you would like to have. Taking the first steps toward buying your child their very own phone doesn’t have to be an overwhelming or frightening experience.

We’d checked the 15+ most suitable models currently available and added fresh reviews of the best ones with a special focus on security features. Whether you need a starting watch phone combo for a 5-year-old or an advanced phone for a teen, this article has you covered.

And don’t forget you can install the Find My Kids app to track your kid’s whereabouts and utilize various parental control features!

Contents:

• What Kid’s Phone Should Have
• Pingo Track 4G Smart Watch for Kids
• T-Mobile SyncUP KIDS Watch
• Verizon Gizmo Watch 2
• Palm Phone PVG 100
• Alcatel Go Flip 4
• Gabb Phone Plus
• Pinwheel Slim 5
• CAT S41
• Kyocera Cadence LTE
• Moto G5
• Elephone P8 Mini
• Nokia 3.1
• Samsung Galaxy A5
• Samsung Galaxy J3 Emerge 4G LTE
• Apple iPhone 11
• Comparison Table
• Making Kid Phones Safe
• FAQ

What Kid’s Phone Should Have

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Here is a list of features that every parent should look for when choosing a device for their child:

• Work Speed: You will want to make sure that the device that you choose is up to par and runs efficiently. Lagging and slow response time can be very annoying, especially for children. Keep in mind that devices with RAMs between 2–4 GBs may be more suitable for teens.
• Quality and Security: Updating the phone to the latest software will ensure it is protected from potential security vulnerabilities while maintaining optimal performance quality. Find My Kids and Kids360 apps are essential for kid security because they allow monitoring your child via GPS and using other convenient safety features.
• Age Range: Pay attention to what may be suitable for your child. You’ll find age range recommendations in our reviews to help you make the best decision possible.
• Availability and Quality of Camera: Most smart devices come with a built-in camera, which is an enjoyable feature for all ages, both young and old. Your child will want to use this feature, so be sure it’s of decent quality.
• Battery Capacity: You’ll want a device that can hold a charge for hours. This is determined by the battery’s mAH or milliAmpere Hours. Anything above 1,500 mAH is suitable for a smartphone.
• Price: Ultimately, it is up to you to decide how much you are willing to pay for your child’s device. We suggest not splurging too much as kids will be kids. Purchase something that is reasonably priced.

Pingo Track 4G Smart Watch for Kids

Recommended age range: 5-12

Rating: 4.8

Features:

• Two-way phone and video calls
• Reliable location tracking and movement history
• IP67 water resistant
• SOS button included
• User-friendly interface
• 1-year warranty

If you are looking for safe phones for kids, you can’t go wrong with this smartwatch-phone combo. Pingo Track is a modern watch with a design any child would like. It has phone features like two-way audio and video calls integrated, and you can also exchange SMS. The watch allows whitelisting only certain calls, and there’s the option of activating the location’s audio.

Pingo Track, combined with the Find My Kids app, allows you to track the child’s location. The GPS technology is reliable and performs well. You can use geo-restrictions and check movement history. The screen size is large, but the watch’s weight is only 6.7 ounces.

Pingo Track has useful apps like alarm clock and pedometer, but there’s no option to install gaming or streaming apps to prevent distraction.

Pros

• Long battery life
• The strap is durable
• Available in pink and blue colors

Cons

• It could be a bit big for a small kid
• The battery life could be longer

Price: $69.99 (up to $97.99). Buy now and get the Find My Kids license for free!

T-Mobile SyncUP KIDS Watch

Recommended age range: 5-11

Rating: 3.5

Features:

• KidSAFE-CERTIFIED Seal
• 911 & Help buttons included
• Water-resistant and splash-friendly
• Reminders and tasks available
• School mode

T-Mobile SyncUP Kids Watch is only available in black color, but it looks modern, and your kids will love wearing it. It’s impressive how light the watch is, with only 1.26 ounces. It offers nylon and silicon bands to choose from, and the device comes pre-installed.

The watch doesn’t exactly belong to high-performing devices with limited RAM. But the interface is kid-friendly, and the watch is easy to use, putting this among suitable phones for 10-year-olds but also those twice as younger.

Real-time location tracking with GPS technology is reliable, and there’s a camera that allows snapping, recording, and sharing. The memory storage is 8 GB, which should be enough for most users.

Pros

• It feels light on the kid’s hand
• You need to approve contacts to communicate with them
• The user-replaceable screen protector is convenient

Cons

• It’s a bit expensive compared to similar units
• Not the most impressive battery life

Price: $174 plus taxes (monthly payments available)

Verizon Gizmo Watch 2

Recommended age range: 6-12

Rating: 2.9

Features:

• 4 GB integrated storage
• Weighs less than two ounces
• 500 mAh battery capacity
• Quad processing cores
• Set up to 10 trusted contacts

The stylish Gizmo Watch 2 is the affordable model of several kid smartwatches sold by Verizon. You can connect it to 4G LTE, which secures excellent connection quality. The device is pre-installed, but you need to add whitelisted contacts. You can exchange text and audio messages and call those numbers, but video calls aren’t an option. A convenient feature includes to-do lists with rewards, which could boost the child’s productivity.

And while Verizon Gizmo Watch 2 does come with some useful features for parents, children might not find it too fun to use. It’s more a utility than a fun device, which could be a turn-off, especially if you are looking for watch phones for 12-year-olds.

Pros:

• Blue and pink bands available
• GPS locator is reliable and provides accurate information
• Fast navigation between menus

Cons:

• No SOS button is a major safety concern
• It’s not loaded with fun features for children

Price: $99.99

Palm Phone PVG 100

Recommended age range: 12+

Rating: 3.4

Features:

• LifeMode available
• Lightweight and compact, with a weight of only 2.2 ounces
• Titanium and gold colors available
• Runs on Android
• Rear and front-facing selfie camera

If your child outgrew those kid devices, this could be the best phone for teenagers to use until they prove they deserve a high-end device. Palm Phone is a miniature version of the Android smartphone. It’s light, and you can easily fit it in a pocket, but the 3.3-inch screen size still makes it useful. The phone is customizable, so teens can install social media, streaming, and any other apps. Most kids enjoy taking photos, and they will appreciate having two cameras.

The Life Mode allows silencing all calls and notifications, which isn’t exactly a safety-promoting feature, but it’s convenient for the school. You can install the Find My Kids app on the device to monitor the child’s location and improve their safety.

Pros:

• Impressive memory storage for a phone this size
• The high-resolution rear camera is convenient
• Facial recognition and other safety features

Cons:

• The battery doesn’t last over 2.5 hours with constant use
• It might have problems with compatibility with some networks

Price: $199 (up to $209)

Alcatel Go Flip 4

Recommended age range: 12+

Rating: 3.3

Features:

• Retro but ergonomic design
• 2.8-inch screen size
• 32 GB memory storage capacity
• Runs on KaiOS 2.5
• 1350 mAh battery
• 2MP wide-angle camera

Here’s another strong candidate for the best phone for teenagers, especially if you are looking for a starter smartphone for your kid. The premium design includes a curved back and an edge that’s easy to grip, which decreases the falling risk. Buttons are large, and the interface is intuitive enough for first-time smartphone users to find their way around the device.

Alcatel Go Flip 4 has an impressive battery life. The screen size could be bigger, but this is an entry-level phone. It’s durable for its pricing range, and you can even charge the battery fast. The phone supports GPS, WLAN, Bluetooth, and FM. If you want a device used to communicate with your kid but also a phone with a few extra features, this model features good value for the money.

Pros:

• The flipping mechanism is sturdy and durable
• Decent memory storage
• User-friendly interface

Cons:

• Not designed to maximize kid’s safety
• Carrier compatibility depends on where you buy it

Price: $89.99 (up to $109.99)

Gabb Phone Plus

Recommended age range: 10+

Rating: 4

Features:

• No access to the app store, social media, or the internet
• GPS location services
• 5 MB front and 8 MB rear camera
• Supports music playing over Bluetooth

Gabb Phone Plus is a premium model among the safe phones for kids. Compared to the company’s basic phone model, it includes a specialized Gabb Messenger, which is a safe way to communicate with your children. The messenger allows MMS and SMS sending, group chats with filtering offensive languages, and other safety features.

The GPS tracking feature is integrated with the device. The child can’t use the internet or social media apps, but the pre-installed software allows managing photos in the gallery, playing music, and using useful utilities like a calculator or clock. Gabb partnered with Samsung to ensure optimal performance with the octa-core 1.6GHz processor and a battery that lasts up to 23 hours with extensive usage.

Pros:

• Superb quality secured by Samsung
• Large screen size with a vibrant display
• Pre-installed safe apps

Cons:

• Pricey compared to similar models
• It could have more storage

Price: $159.99 (up to $199.99)

No matter which model you choose for the child, after the purchase, be sure to do two simple steps: download the Find My Kids app so that the child is safe everywhere, and install Kids360 to restrict access to dangerous content.

Pinwheel Slim 5

Recommended age range: 10+

Rating: 4.7

Features:

• 6.8” HD Infinity display
• 128GB storage capacity
• 48 MP triple lens camera
• Set contact safelist
• No social media or internet

From the perspective of your kid, they want a modern and cool phone with a powerful camera. And for parents, the best phone for teenagers is the one with impressive safety features. Pinwheel manages to combine both in their series of phones, which ranges from Slim 5 to more expensive models with extra options.

As for the most affordable unit, it offers a 48MP camera and a large 6.8” display. Pinwheel uses the Android operating system, and the phone is incredibly fast. The device doesn’t allow access to the app store or the internet at all, but there are hundreds of apps you can choose to install on the device. You are behind the wheel when it comes to setting the contact safelist, too. The phone supports texting and calling whitelisted numbers, but it also comes with parental controls like managing screen times and other options.

Pros:

• Impressive parental controls
• Excellent choice for a starter phone
• Modern design and large display

Cons:

• Some premium models are quite expensive
• Not compatible with certain providers

Price: From $199

CAT S41

Recommended age range: 12+

Rating: 4.5

Typically used by construction workers, the CAT S41 is a durable phone that is more than reliable. CAT S41 is a viable option for younger children. Its durability makes it a good find. It is a bit pricey for its lack of features, but worth a look.

Pros:

• Simple design
• Durable
• Decent Android software

Cons:

• Not suitable for entertainment
• Too expensive for simple features

Price: $449

Kyocera Cadence LTE

Recommended age range: 8+

Rating: 2.8

The Kyocera is a flip phone that gives your child the basic necessities of a cell phone. Don’t worry about fancy apps or other features, Kyocera Cadence LTE can be simply used for calling home.

The low rating reflects the simplicity of the device. Most people nowadays want fancy designs, large touch screens and app capabilities. Without that, a phone is a plain calling device.

Pros:

• Durable
• Bright screen
• Long-lasting battery

Cons:

• Dated design
• No apps
• No recording

Price: $120

Moto G5

Recommended age range: 8+

Rating: 4.5

A good-looking budget smartphone, the Moto G5 certainly will not disappoint. It has an easy-to-follow user interface that makes navigation a breeze. Its spacious memory is also a plus for Pre-teens who like to take tons of pictures and download dozens of apps.

Moto G5 is a well-designed smartphone you can get for cheap. Its durability is limited, but for this price, buying a protective case shouldn’t be a problem.

Pros:

• Sleek design
• Easy to navigate
• Enough memory to hold multiple apps and files
• Reasonably priced

Cons:

• Non-replaceable battery
• Less than perfect camera

Price: $199.99

Elephone P8 Mini

Recommended age range: 8+

Rating: 4.7

Another phone that meets design standards is the Elephone P8 Mini. It is wonderfully sleek, but also surprisingly suitable, for your pre-teen. Couple that with a good camera and priced surprisingly low, this phone gives you what you want AND what you need.

There isn’t much to dislike about the Elephone P8 Mini. If you want your child to have a nice phone with app capabilities at a reasonable price, this is a viable option.

Pros:

• Wonderfully designed
• Large HD screen
• Reasonably priced
• Good camera

Cons:

• Weak battery
• Possibly fragile

Price: $120.29

Nokia 3.1

Recommended age range: 8+

Rating: 4.5

The Nokia 3.1 delivers on design but can struggle with overall performance. If you want your child’s phone to focus on making and receiving calls and not on application and entertainment features, then this phone delivers.

The Nokia 3.1 is a well-priced phone that doesn’t put features at its forefront but makes up for it in its sleek design and durability.

PROS:

• Good design
• Great battery capacity
• Full HD screen
• Gorilla Glass and aluminum siding

CONS:

• Only 2 GB of memory
• Slow or lagging performance

Price: $159

Samsung Galaxy A5

Recommended age range: 12+

Rating: 4.6

Getting a phone with a name that your teen can recognize is a bonus. The Samsung Galaxy A5 is a great choice. It doesn’t include all the bells and whistles of say, the newest Galaxies, but it has the best of the basics; a beautiful screen, nice design, good camera.

This phone will surely make your teen happy. As long as they are not too concerned with operating systems and which is the latest, there isn’t much to complain about besides price.

Pros:

• Full HD screen
• Plenty of storage
• Decent camera

Cons:

• High cost

Price: Starting at $220.99

Samsung Galaxy J3 Emerge 4G LTE

Recommended age range: 12+

Rating: 4.3

Another phone by Samsung, the Galaxy J3 Emerge is slightly less powerful than the aforementioned Galaxy, but it is worth a look.

Overall, this phone delivers on what it sets out to do. However, if your teen is into snapping pics and taking selfies, this may be less than ideal.

Pros:

• Large screen
• Durable
• Good battery capacity
• Reasonably priced

Cons:

• Mediocre camera

Price: $129.99

Related: Top 10 Inexpensive Kid Phones: Budget Models 2023.

Apple iPhone 11

Recommended age range: 12+

Rating: 4.6

There’s no doubt that your teen would be excited about getting an iPhone, but you must ask yourself if it’s worth the price.

iPhones are popular choices, but for this price, there are other, less popular alternatives. In the end, it is certainly a nice phone with trustworthy features.

Pros:

• Sleek design
• Wireless charging
• Good camera

Cons:

• Expensive
• Limited battery capacity

Price: $599

Comparison Table

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It’s best to pick a phone based on the age range. While your child is under eight years old, stick to the basics and smart watch / phone combos or similar products. Once you think they are ready, you can get them an actual smartphone. However, it’s better to go with one with parental controls and no internet or social media apps. Only after they become teens and you know they can use it responsibly, you can get them a full-power smartphone.

Making Kid Phones Safe

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Now that you have a better idea regarding which phone you want to buy for your child, the next step is to configure their phone to make it safe for them to use.

But how do you do that?

Making your child’s device safe doesn’t have to be a difficult task. There are apps available that will do all of the hard work for you. You simply have to download the app on both you and your child’s phone, input some information and voila! Your child’s phone is instantly proofed.

Apps like Find My Kids allow you to keep track of your children and their app activity using real-time data collection.

Teaching your child about phone safety is important. Don’t be afraid to talk to them about what is acceptable and what is not as well as what to look out for. Develop trust so that if your child encounters an issue that may require an adult to handle, they won’t be hesitant in coming to you for help.

Also, be sure to establish a healthy phone schedule with your child. It is wise to come up with a plan together that your child is willing to follow so they aren’t spending too much time staring at their screen.

Follow these tips, and you and your child can explore these devices freely and safely. You’ll love that they can reach you in an emergency, and they will love the fun features that are available.

FAQ

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At what age should a kid have a cell phone?

Today’s kids do great with technology, but you still don’t want to rush things. In the beginning, it’s best to go with a Pingo Track or another smart watch / phone combo. Once you switch to cell phones, start with child-friendly ones that don’t offer social media or internet. Experts indicate you should wait at least until they are the 8th grade to get them a smartphone with full capabilities.

Should a 7-year-old have a cell phone?

Many kids have phones at this age, but the experts warn it’s best to hold on for a bit longer. If you’d like them to have a phone to stay in touch when they are away from home, consider a retro flip model with no internet and basic functions, or even a smart watch / phone combo.

What is the safest phone for a child?

Many manufacturers design kid-friendly smartphones with protective features like no internet access, no app installation option, etc. Look for phones with these safety options, or make sure to install a location monitoring and parental control app like Find My Kids.

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