The best ‘safe’ phones for teenagers this Christmas – according to experts

When all your child wants for Christmas is a cell phone, the pressure to give in is real.

Especially when you decide that your tween or teenager too young for a smartphone… and Santa agrees.

The good news is that there are plenty of ‘secure’ phones available from brands like Nokia, Pinwheel and Balance.

Not only are these phones more budget-friendly options for putting under the tree, they’re far less of a worry than smartphones. (Not allowing your child access to Snapchat it’s the gift that keeps on giving to you and your kids, trust us…or just ask any parent of a Snapchat-addicted teenager.)

Here are the best “secure” phones you can buy right now, expertly rated by the people at Smartphone free childhood – grassroots
a movement that unites parents to fight for a healthier and happier childhood.

They say, “Our mantra will always be delay, delay, delay, but if you feel your child is ready, know that it’s not an all or nothing situation.

“Instead of a grown-up smartphone, consider starting with one of the growing number of devices designed for kids.”

Nokia's secure flip phone © Nokia

Nokia, with its solid reputation spanning decades, is the leader when it comes to the best mobile phone models available.

This stylish flip phone is budget priced under £50 and does everything a teenager needs: make calls, send messages and take pictures. It also has a flashlight and FM radio, and comes in a variety of cute colors, from hot pink to green and black.

Oh, and if you have a Barbie obsession on your Christmas list, this is it HMD x Barbie Flip Phone, now £79.99it is an interesting alternative to Nokia. It comes with stickers, gems, extra back covers, lanyard and accessory charms.

© Nokia

This smart ‘safe’ phone from Nokia is one of the best mobile phones for tweens and tweens thanks to its built-in MP3 player and smart hidden headphones, giving kids hours of social media-free entertainment.

It also has long battery life and a stylish two-tone black/red or white/red finish. It’s a popular choice for the Y7s; we’ve heard them fill their phone with songs from their favorite artists, like Taylor Swift, by putting it on speaker at home. (Thank you later.)

Brick phone The Phone © Telephone

This smartphone hails from France, and while it looks and feels like a smartphone, parents can rest easy knowing it doesn’t offer internet or social networking.

© Pinwheel

This smart phone has the sleek look and performance of the Samsung Galaxy, including a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display and a triple-lens camera system. But it also allows parents to track via GPS, control contacts, messages, calls and vet apps.

It’s designed to help kids manage screen time and develop healthy digital habits. This plan works on a monthly plan unlike PAYG. Smartphone Free Childhood members can get a 10% discount with the code FREECHILDHOOD.

This smart phone for teenagers straddles the line between a mobile phone and a smartphone.

Distractions (social media, streaming, gaming, pornography) are blocked, but kids can access essential apps like banking, cards, messaging and music.

As well as giving tweens and tweens only access to ‘safe’ content, it promises to cut three hours of screen time compared to a regular smartphone. SFC members get 10% off with code: smartphonefreechildhood.