If you don’t want to give your kid an adult smartphone but do want them to have a way to communicate as they become more independent, you have options.
Along with our own tween-agers, we’ve tested 19 smartwatches, smartphones, flip phones, and other communication devices designed for kids. These gadgets have drawn more attention recently as parents and caregivers weigh the benefits of delaying a child’s first smartphone amid increasing concerns that social media can harm the mental health and well-being of kids—including a warning by the surgeon general in May 2023.
Although we found that all of these devices make some trade-offs, we have a few to recommend. We also have advice on privacy concerns for kids and devices and what to know about wireless carriers.