First phone for 11yo

[Forester1965]

We got our 11yr old a Samsung AO model for just over £100 and use the Google Family Link app to monitor it. Seems to work ok.

First few weeks with WhatsApp had some ups and downs as you'd expect with kids but he's worked out when to put it down.

[surveyor]

Be aware that Apple family stuff is a bit crap. Any time restrictions can be got around by changing the time on the device.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Many thanks for all the help chaps. iPhone SE 2020 128GB ordered.

Screenprotector and case the next things.

Happy to turn the debate to keeping it safe for her now. She has a sensible head on her shoulders and decent group of friends. Will use Apple family stuff. Are there other 3rd party things we should have installed to keep her safe?

Not sure what to do in terms of SIM cards - PAYG or something linked to my or my wife’s account…

Obviously she will have an Apple account now with an email address but I’ll probably give her one on my domain that points to it that I can delete if it gets ruined!

[Still Mulling]

We use a giffgaff SIM. Easy to control the top-ups if ever required.

No third party control apps, just transparent conversations about online safety. Have them as you go once the ground rules are in, as there's no way you'll cover every eventuality in one lecture!

[Still Mulling]

Oh, and while she has an e-mail address, she simply doesn't use it. None of her friends do, and she's signed up to no other accounts.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Can you still get proper PAYG on Giffgaff? I’ve got a couple of SIMs in GSM trackers and occasionally I stick £10 on them and they’re good, but the Giffgaff website just talked about £x per month even on the PAYG pages. Doesn’t PAYG avoid monthlies and you can jsut top up?

[Your Dad]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Can you still get proper PAYG on Giffgaff?

Yes - https://www.giffgaff.com/sim-only-deals/pay-as-you...

But it's cheaper to buy a contract SIM.

GiffGaff PAYG - £10 = 15GB data
GiffGaff contract - £10 = 25GB data
o2 via uswitch - £10 = 40GB data

[Sheets Tabuer]

Bloody hell you can get 50gb for £8 on smarty.

[NiceCupOfTea]

We’ve gone for the cheapest option - 1GB for £6 on Giffgaff. No contract so can bin it off any time which appeals. If she’s hitting the data limit we might up it.

[NiceCupOfTea]

Now I’m wondering whether to create her an iCloud Apple ID or create a gmail account and use that instead as her appleID. She’ll need one for youtube subs I guess…. All a bit of a minefield.