A mobile phone for Christmas? These are the things you should pay attention to when choosing your first phone

1. Maturity is more important than age

The first question is always whether the child is ready to use a phone independently. This is not simply age-related: the child’s personality, sense of responsibility and maturity are much more important. It is worth considering how careful he is with his own belongings, how well he can keep the agreed rules, and whether he understands why he needs to be careful in the online space. If we get encouraging answers to these questions, it may be time for the first phone call.

2. Assess their needs too

If the family has already decided that a smartphone is necessary, it is important to take the child’s perspective into account. Moreover, the devices used by their peers can also influence the decision, since for children, the social experience is often at least as important as technical knowledge. That’s why it’s worth digging deeper and seeing what you want to do on your phone?

If you’re interested in photography or videography, it’s worth choosing a device with a better camera, for example, the Xiaomi 15T 5G model equipped with a Leica Summilux optical lens can be an excellent choice for creative children. If you’re going to use it for gaming, performance and storage will be the determining factors. In this case, devices with larger memory are more practical. If the main goal is to be able to contact them when necessary, a reliable, entry-level model such as the Xiaomi Redmi 15 is enough, which with its large battery (7000mAh) ensures that your child doesn’t miss important calls or messages.

Apple devices sustainably and more affordably

Many people find that their child specifically wants an Apple device – partly due to the influence of their peers, and partly due to the popularity of the brand. Although these phones are higher in price, the refurbished iPhone models by Rejoy available at Yettel are an excellent alternative. These devices are tested on 67 points, thus guaranteeing reliable quality, while also sparing the family’s wallet. Refurbished iPhones still have a fresh operating system and reliable hardware, so the child does not miss out on anything, and parents make a conscious, sustainable decision – which also carries the lesson of the first responsible device use.

3. Parental supervision, or creating a safe digital environment

The first phone is also the first step into the digital space, so it is particularly important to create a safe environment. Fortunately, there are already applications that can be used to limit the sites that children can access until they are sufficiently aware. For example, Family Sharing on Apple devices and Google Family Link on both Android and iOS help ensure that children access age-appropriate content. These features allow you to set screen time limits, block certain apps, control purchases and app downloads, and turn on location sharing if necessary.

The Samsung Galaxy A56 5G and Galaxy S25, for example, are compatible with both types of parental control tools, so they can be configured according to family needs. Newer models, such as the Honor 400 Lite 5G, also support these features and offer a full digital experience with a free headset.

“The point of parental control tools is not to ban, but to teach gradually: they help children learn to use their smartphones safely and consciously, while also experiencing the benefits of the online world. However, the most important thing is communication. Let’s talk to children about how the digital world works, what dangers they may encounter, and why it’s important for them to ask questions if they are unsure. Let’s give them space to share their experiences and questions, and if we can’t answer something ourselves, feel free to ask an expert who can give us guidance”

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