Choosing a phone for your kids is a lot more complicated than choosing one for yourself. You want them to be able to get in touch, but you don’t want them mindlessly scrolling through family dinners. This process requires some real research to ensure you’re making the right choice. Luckily, we’ve done the homework for you.
We’ve been studying the cell phone industry since 2008, and in that time, we’ve learned the intricacies of nearly every device available to the public. For this guide, we narrowed down the best phones for kids and teens to find devices that are both reliable and appropriate. We also recognize that not every family or every child is the same, so we’ve broken out our list into a number of different categories, emphasizing the most cost-effective options, the most logical picks for teens, and the most secure options to keep your kids safe.
Read on to find our picks for the best phones for kids and teens, including the iPhone SE and Google Pixel 7a, along with a few pieces of advice on how to use those devices to keep your kids connected without breaking the bank.
How we picked the best cell phones for kids and teens
-
Price & value
We ensure you’re getting the most bang for your buck without sacrificing the essentials to keep your kids connected. -
Functionality
We looked at what these devices offer users in terms of processing, photo-taking, streaming, browsing, and other typical uses. -
Safety & privacy
We focused on devices that allow parents to monitor and limit their kids’ activities.
You can read more about our detailed methodology below.
Best cell phones for kids and teens in Canada
| Phone | Operating system | Best for | Shop this plan | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE (2022) | iOS | Apple families | VIEW PLANS | |
| Google Pixel 7a | Android | Taking photos | VIEW PLANS | |
| ZTE Cymbal 2 | Linux | Basic communication | VIEW PLANS |
Best Phones
for kids and teens
1. iPhone SE (2022)
Why we like it:
- Best iPhone for kids and teens
- Compact screen
- iOS parental controls
Your teen may want the iPhone 15, but the most sensible iPhone for kids is the iPhone SE (2022), thanks to its design and Apple’s practical parental controls.
Handing a kid or a teen an iPhone 15 doesn’t make sense—its many impressive features will be lost on a child, while its enormous display will only attract hours of unwanted screen time. The 2022 iPhone SE, though, is an excellent option for your kids: it can perform all the tasks you’d expect from an iPhone, including high-quality 4K video recording and the ability to use all the latest education apps a student might need. More importantly, Apple’s iOS parental controls are strong, giving you the ability to limit screen time and prohibit certain apps and websites, and these will only improve with the arrival of iOS 18.
The device’s 4.7” display, meanwhile, is fine for viewing texts and making calls, though it’s far from the ideal replacement for a tablet or a television. That might be a downside for an adult looking for an all-in-one smartphone, but we’re guessing you’re trying to limit your kid’s screen time rather than increase it. The iPhone SE’s compact design will make it clear that the device in your kid’s hand is a tool, not a toy.
iPhone SE (2022) 64GB Plans
|
#1
|
SaskTel
Talk and Text + Data 15
$15/mth
+ $594.99 Upfront
|
|
#2
|
Fido
$15 Basic Plan with 100 Minutes + 250MB
$15/mth
+ $595.08 Upfront
|
|
#3
|
Koodo Mobile
$15 - No Tab/BYO Plan with 250MB Data
$15/mth
+ $605 Upfront
|
|
#4
|
Fizz
Unlimited Minutes & Text Messaging + 1GB Data
$16/mth
+ $584 Upfront
|
|
#5
|
Fizz
Unlimited Minutes & Text Messaging + 1GB Data
$16/mth
+ $584 Upfront
|
2. Google Pixel 7a
Why we like it:
- Best kids’ phone for taking photos
- Cheap Pixel option
- Child-proofing features
The Pixel 7a is one of the best (and most affordable) Androids for adults. Its photography features and parental controls also make it ideal for kids.
We’ve been impressed with the Pixel 7a since it was released in 2023, mostly because it took the best features (especially photography features like Photo Unblur and Night Sight) from the Pixel 7 and made them more affordable. At its core, it was a solid device repackaged as a cheap alternative. That makes it a great choice when shopping for a phone for your kid.
Even better, though, is that you can use Google’s Family Link app to set screen time limits, restrict adult content, and secure their digital information. You can also monitor their location and set notifications for when they arrive or depart from familiar locations like home or school.
Google Pixel 7a 128GB Plans
|
#1
|
Fido
$15 Basic Plan with 100 Minutes + 250MB
$15/mth
+ $702 Upfront
|
|
#2
|
Fido
$29 Data, Talk & Text Plan with 20GB
$29/mth
+ $702 Upfront
|
|
#3
|
Fido
$30 Prepaid Talk, Text & Data Plan
$30
Per 1 Month Top-up
+ $702 Upfront
|
|
#4
|
Fido
$31 Prepaid Talk, Text & Data Plan
$31
Per 1 Month Top-up
+ $702 Upfront
|
|
#5
|
Fido
$33 Prepaid Talk, Text & Data Plan
$33
Per 1 Month Top-up
+ $702 Upfront
|
Is the Gabb phone available in Canada?
Unfortunately, Gabb’s phones only run on the Verizon network, which means they’re not available in Canada. We’re hoping this changes in the future, considering we love what Gabb offers parents.
Gabb’s phones are designed for parents who are anxious about throwing their kids into the deep end of the internet. Their latest device, the Gabb Phone 3 Pro, provides the most comprehensive parental controls, allowing you to determine the best settings for your kids. The 3 Pro doesn’t look much different from a typical iPhone, though parents are able to toggle the phone’s capabilities based on what they think is best for their kids. No mobile data? That’s fine. Want to prohibit image texting? That’s also possible. Worried about social media or internet browsing? The phone doesn’t allow for either.
Most impressive is Gabb’s approach to apps: the only titles available for download are ones that have been vetted by Gabb and can only be added to a phone after parent approval.
3. ZTE Cymbal 2
Why we like it:
- Best dumb phone for kids
- No social media
- Basic talk, text, and photography
If you want to keep in touch with your kid but hate the idea of handing them a smartphone, the ZTE Cymbal 2 is the solution.
There’s nothing flashy here: the ZTE Cymbal 2 is a throwback to the early 2000s flip phone, designed for low-tech connectivity outside of the hectic ecosystem of today’s internet. That means you’ll be able to call or text your kid when school’s out or practice is over, but you won’t find them watching YouTube or posting on Snapchat when they should be sleeping. The Cymbal 2 does have a basic internet browser, though it is text-based and doesn’t allow for social media.
All in all, this is a bare-bones device that is not much different from a landline. For some people, that might be a liability, but for others, it will be a miracle. The best part? Despite its rather low-tech ethos, it can still be added to most family plans for under $100.
ZTE Cymbal 2 Plans
|
#1
|
Lucky Mobile
$15 100 Minutes Canada-wide Calling Plan
$15
Per 1 Month Top-up
+ $95 Upfront
|
|
#2
|
Lucky Mobile
$15 100 Minutes Canada-wide Calling Plan
$15
Per 1 Month Top-up
+ $95 Upfront
|
|
#3
|
Koodo Mobile
$15 Prepaid Base Plan
$15
Per 30 Day Top-up
+ $85 Upfront
|
|
#4
|
Lucky Mobile
$19 Unlimited Canada-wide Calling Plan
$19
Per 1 Month Top-up
+ $95 Upfront
|
|
#5
|
Koodo Mobile
$19 Prepaid Base Plan
$19
Per 30 Day Top-up
+ $85 Upfront
|
Methodology: How we picked the best cell phones for kids and teens
WhistleOut evaluates phone plans based on the following criteria:
- Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it to other plans from the same carrier, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
- Functionality: We’re assuming you’re purchasing a phone for your child because you need to keep in touch with them when they’re away from home. We focused on phones that allow for basic connectivity without getting bogged down in all the bells and whistles that come with the premium models available.
- Safety & privacy: Most cell phones are designed for adults, offering a near-unlimited amount of functionality and content. We recognize that most parents are looking for devices that offer more oversight. We focused on phones that allow parents to make informed decisions about how their children use their phones.
Our mobile experts leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate the best phones for kids and teens in Canada. We compared the plans from 17 carriers by analyzing their coverage, cost, and plan options. We considered child-specific elements, including privacy, safety, and age-appropriateness. After performing hands-on testing and extensive research, including customer feedback, we picked the phones we think are the best fits for kids and teens.
Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to evaluate a cell phone carrier or plan and find the one that best meets your specific needs.
Kevin Kearney
Kevin is an experienced journalist and writer whose musings on tech, education, and culture have appeared in Stereogum, InsideHook, The Millions, and elsewhere. As Deputy Editor for WhistleOut, he offers unique expertise on the inner workings of the mobile industry, and has a particular passion for emerging efficiencies within smartphone apps. When he’s not researching the telecom market, he enjoys reading, running, and playing music.
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