1. Maturity is more important than age.
The first question is always whether the child is ready to use a phone independently. It’s not simply a matter of age, their personality, sense of responsibility and level of maturity matter much more. Consider how well they take care of their belongings, how reliably they follow agreed rules, and whether they understand the need for caution online. If the answers to these questions are encouraging, it might be the right time for their first phone.
2. Assess their needs.
If the family has already decided that a smartphone is necessary, it is important to consider the child’s preferences as well. The handsets that their peers are using can also influence the decision. For many children, the shared experience is just as important as the technical features. That’s why it’s worth digging a little deeper to understand how your child will actually use the phone.
If they’re into photography or making videos, for example, a handset with a better camera could be a real game changer. The Xiaomi’s 15T 5G, which has Leica Summilux optical lenses, is an excellent choice for creative children. If the phone is mainly going to be used for gaming, performance and storage are the key factors. In that case, handsets with more memory are usually the more practical choice. If the main goal is simply to stay in touch when needed, however, a reliable entry-level model like the Xiaomi Redmi 15 is enough. Its large, 7000 mAh battery ensures your child won’t miss important calls or messages.
Affordable and sustainable Apple handsets
Many parents find that their child specifically wants an Apple handset, partly due to peer pressure and partly because of the brand’s popularity. Although these phones are more expensive, the refurbished iPhone models available through Yettel’s Rejoy program offer an excellent alternative. These handsets undergo rigorous testing at 67 different points to ensure reliable quality, while also being gentle on the family budget. Refurbished iPhones come with the latest operating system and reliable hardware, so children won’t miss out on anything while their parents make a sustainable choice that also teaches young ones about responsible first-time handset use.
3. Parental control and creating a safe digital environment.
A child’s first phone marks their first step into the digital world, making it especially important to create a safe environment. Fortunately, there are apps that allow parents to restrict the sites their children can access until they become more responsible users. Apple devices offer Family Sharing, and both Android and iOS support Google Family Link to help children access age-appropriate content. These features enable parents to set screen time limits, block certain apps, monitor purchases and app downloads, and even enable location sharing if required.
Both the Samsung Galaxy A56 5G and the Galaxy S25 are compatible with these types of parental control tools, and can be configured according to family needs. Newer models like the Honor 400 Lite 5G also support these features and come with a pair of headphones, providing a complete digital experience.
“The purpose of parental controls is not to block access, but to gradually teach young users. They help children learn to use smartphones safely and responsibly while allowing them to experience the benefits of the online world. However, the most important element is communication. Talk to your children about how the digital world works, the risks they might encounter and the importance of asking questions, if they’re unsure. Give them space to share their experiences and questions. If you don’t have the answers, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from an expert who can support you,” said Balázs Koren, Head of the ProSuli programme.
4. Blue light protection – children's sleep matters
The blue light emitted by screens can easily disrupt children’s sleep cycles, which over time may affect their concentration, mood, and development. It’s worth choosing a phone with a blue light filter, eye-care settings or a night mode switch. Most modern handsets, including models from Samsung, Xiaomi or Honor, now offer these features as standard. These features are especially useful if children often use their phones after dark, helping to ensure that they get a truly restorative night’s sleep.
5. Which tariff should you choose for your child?
Selecting the right tariff plan is just as important as choosing the handset itself. Many parents prefer their child to have a limited data allowance to make it easier to manage their internet use, while ensuring they don’t miss out on anything. Yettel Prime plans offer flexible solutions for families, allowing you to select the most suitable tariff based on the handset chosen.
It’s also worth considering that combining family subscriptions can lead to significant savings. With the Yettel Full plan, two or more Prime mobile and/or home internet subscriptions qualify for a tiered monthly discount, and family members can call each other for free. This is financially attractive and also allows the family to manage everything on a single bill, making costs more transparent. Parents can see exactly how much is spent on their child’s mobile usage while ensuring their child doesn’t miss out on anything.