5 things to consider when buying your child’s first phone

Well, with a ParentShield SIM, it is perfectly safe for an 8-year-old to have a mobile phone. The earlier a child learns safe and responsible mobile phone use, the better.

Remember – a phone doesn’t have to be a smartphone. There are many examples of 4 and 5-year-olds safely using mobile phones and starting to learn how to use them responsibly.

What is the best first phone for a child?

For a first phone, you probably don’t want to break the bank.

There are many options – you may choose to provide a hand-me-down ex-contract phone, or a basic “feature phone”. 

Can anonymous callers contact my child?

You can choose whether to allow withheld ( anonymous ) callers or not in the account’s settings.

Your child will be unable to be contacted by withheld numbers when Ultra Secure Mode is turned on, but they will be allowed when Ultra Secure Mode is turned off, if that is what you want.

When is it safe to give a child a phone?

According to ParentShield: “Parents who start talking about mobile phone usage earlier seem to have a better success with the introduction of their child’s first mobile phone.”

Can I stop my child from using their phone in school?

Yes. ParentShield SIM cards have “SchoolBlock” which allows parents to block all calls, SMS and mobile data during school hours.

While Schoolblock is active, Home Numbers can always be called and texted, and can call and text the phone so the child has the peace of mind they need while away from home. The phone becomes a security tool, and not a distraction.

What are the features of Child-Safe Mobile Network?

ParentShield is a Mobile Network that is perfect for children.

Why? Well, it is designed for children from the ground up and has many features that can’t be found on any other network.

Unlike Parental control software that controls a phone, you control the network to make sure those using the phone are safe.

Here are some features:

• Roaming Network – ParentShield offers two different types of SIMs: a single-network SIM and an all-network SIM. With the all-network roaming SIM, ParentShield is a true roaming network with the ability to get your child a mobile signal where a single network SIM may not.
• Call and SMS Recording – Know exactly what conversations are being had, and with whom, by reviewing your child’s call and SMS history
• Spending and budgeting – ParentShield will protect you against any shock bill, and provide you with educational tools – such as Daily Data Budgeting – that allow you to teach about budgeting in a safe, argument and stress free, way.
• Time and SchoolBlock Controls –  Use the power of the ParentShield Parent Portal to say exactly when the Phone can call or be called, and when it can send and receive SMS, or use mobile data. Outside the allowed times, only your Home Numbers ( and the emergency services ) will work. 
• Alerts and Monitoring –  Every single phone call and SMS message that your child sends and receives is matched against your chosen block and allow lists. You can add a number to your blocklist with a single click. Words used in any SMS message – inbound or outbound – are scanned against your personal Word Alert list. If your child turns their phone off or the battery dies, set an alert to you and the child as soon as the phone reconnects to a network.