For younger kids, consider bare-bones phones with only the features they need to stay in touch with you. As kids get older, they’ll be interested in more features.
Compromise with a device you can customize to suit everyone’s needs. If you’re going to give kids a smartphone, turn off some of the advanced features (downloading apps, for example) until they’ve demonstrated responsible ownership.
For young children you may want to look for phones with very simple controls, big buttons, and extremely limited features. Phones that only make calls to a short list of contacts and that have no games, no Web access, and no camera are good choices.
Consider the Sprint WeGo, the Firefly, or the FiliP 2, a watch that makes calls to an abbreviated contact list and receives — but can’t send — texts.
For tweens, how about Phones that look grown-up but offer limited features or that come with a service that allows you to customize options are good choices for older kids. Take a look at the Kurio phone, the Kajeet service, the Just5, or the TracFone, which can’t download apps.
