Kids alternatives to smartphones in the UK (2025)

Summary

  • Pinwheel is the first child-safe smartphone, to be released in the UK.

  • Xplora watches and other children’s smart-watches are a great alternative for younger kids.

  • A basic phone, without Wi-Fi or internet, will give your child independence, allowing you to stay in-touch for safety. It will also be easier for your child to understand and use.

  • Make sure you get a call-and-text-only SIM; avoid SIM deals with a data plan.

Networks and SIMs

Even with no-data (i.e., calls and texts only) or a ‘child-safe’ SIM card, any internet-capable device with Wi-Fi still allows your child to access the internet over Wi-Fi, at home and elsewhere. Third-party parental controls are the only way to disable both Wi-Fi and mobile data. However, basic phones don’t support parental controls. So, to prevent unsupervised internet access you need to choose a phone designed for children’s safety or use basic ‘brick’ phone model with no Wi-Fi capability combined with a no-data SIM.

Pinwheel (from £239 plus £13.99 per month)

Available as a Samsung or Google Pixel model.

  • Reliable hansets.

  • Built-in parent management.

  • Designed to grow with your child.

  • No web browser or social media, but parents can choose to add from hundreds of vetted apps, including banking, Google Maps, Spotify and Citymapper.

  • Contacts safelist, monitor texts and calls and set schedules for apps. 

  • GPS locaton.

The Phone (about £100)

Internet-free phone. Looks like a smartphone but only does calls and texts.  

  • Uncrackable operating system that can’t access the internet and has no apps

  • No camera 

  • Easy to use

LightPhone II (£235)

LightPhone is a premium minimalist phone, designed to be used as little as possible. Not designed specifically for kids but will keep them safe and not addictive.

  • Black and white ‘paper’ screen like a kindle emits no blue light

  • No internet, social media, email or internet

  • A customisable menu which includes like: an alarm, calculator, calendar, directions 

  • Music player and podcasts

Balance Phone (£299)

Designed to be distraction free, without addictive apps

  • Fully controlled environment that limits content and is tamper-proof – no requirement for parents to check or update settings

  • Contains functional apps such as messaging, banking, music, maps etc

  • Has an internet browser which blocks social media, pornography, games, gambling and streaming sites

  • No option to monitor or track – aimed at fostering trust and healthy tech habits

Xplora Watches

Xplora children’s smartwatches are a great safe alternative way for kids to keep in-touch. These are a better option for younger kids and are especially designed to allow children to have fun, playing and exploring the outside world while staying in-touch safely.

Basic Phones

Beware! Many basic phones do have some internet connectivity and Wi-Fi and have no possiblity for parental controls.

Bottom line: Make sure it doesn’t have Wi-fi and use a calls-and-texts only SIM.

Barbie Phone

The Barbie Phone from HMD comes with Barbie covers, each with a different design. Switch them up as often as you like, then make them your own with the included stickers and crystals.

Nokia 105

The Nokia 105 is not discontinued and is available from stores such as Argos, Asda and Currys. This basic-looking phone has no camera and doesn’t look like a smartphone. It can only connect to the internet with a mobile data plan. No Wi-Fi capability, which is great. It has several fun basic retro games too. This is safe if you give your child with a calls-and-texts-only SIM.

Nokia 3310 (2017)

Although this phone is marketed as a remake of the legendary original 3310 from the days before smartphones this device does have internet capability. But only over mobile data - no Wi-Fi capability. So, with a calls-and-texts-only SIM no internet.

It comes with some apps such as Facebook and Twitter pre-installed. Unlike the original Nokia 3310 this phone has a camera (2MP) and a full colour screen (not a touch-screen). That said, its interface makes use of the internet less engaging and enjoyable than a quality touch screen.

Nokia 110

The Nokia 110 works over 4G networks so could potentially connect to the internet but again, only with a data-plan. No Wi-Fi connectivity so, with a calls-and-texts-only SIM this is an internet-free device. It comes with a few pre-loaded games like Snake. It has large buttons and only has the basics but with a great battery life.

Nokia 8210

This phone also offers no Wi-Fi connectivity so with a calls-and-texts only SIM your child will not be able to connect to the internet on this device. It has a good battery life and a large screen.

Oakcastle F100

Cheap and cheerful. One of the cheapest phones on the market so great if you don’t want to worry about your kid losing or damaging it! It doesn’t connect to the internet at all. No camera or games. Less durable than most. However, we have successfully road-tested one of these and, so far so good.

Connect with parents delaying smartphones in your area and sign the pact at Smartphone-Free Childhood