5 Tips for Buying your Child’s First Phone

July 27, 2018 26 By EngineerMommy

This post is sponsored by Trademore. I was paid for this post. All opinions are mine alone.



Nowadays kids are getting phones at earlier ages than ever… and for good reason! It’s the best way to keep in touch with your child during the day. Last year, I noticed that one of our neighbors’ kids had a smartphone and he was just a few years older than Sophia! Needless to say, she has been begging me for her own phone ever since. I am actually planning on getting her a smart phone within the next year or so and I’ve been doing a ton of research on the best way to go about the whole process. Today, I’ll be sharing some of my best tips from properly setting up parental controls to purchasing a pre-owned phone from Trademore.

Tips for Buying your Child’s First Phone

1. Establish boundaries for phone use!
Getting a new phone is a big responsibility for a child so it’s important to make sure that all expectations are clearly laid out ahead of time. Make it clear that you, as the parent, own the phone. Make it clear that the child needs to share all passwords (for apps, social media sites, emails, etc.) with you. Also, make it clear that all phone use must be done in public rooms of the house (like the kitchen or living room) and only during the day. By setting clear expectations ahead of time and writing down all the rules, you will reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings down the road.

Tips for Buying your Child's First Phone

Tips for Buying your Child’s First Phone

2. Choose an affordable phone!
Let’s face it… kids lose things all the time! Don’t purchase a brand new phone for them and risk losing hundreds of dollars when they misplace it. Instead, consider a pre-owned smartphone that is both affordable and reliable. I recently discovered Trademore and it’s the perfect resource for finding top-of-the-line smartphones for a fraction of the cost of the new models. What a cost-effective way to introduce your child to a new device!

Tips for Buying your Child's First Phone

Tips for Buying your Child’s First Phone


I love that Trademore strives to create a positive customer experience. Whether you’re trying to capitalize on the value of your old phone and trade it in or purchase a pre-owned phone for your child (or for yourself), Trademore is dedicated to customer service.
Tips for Buying your Child's First Phone

Tips for Buying your Child’s First Phone


On the Trademore site, there is a wide variety of high-quality devices all offered at competitive prices. What I really love is that all devices must pass a 30-point functional and cosmetic inspection. This checks for quality, reliability and functionality. Each phone sold via their site receives a 100% inspection score. The phones are indeed #TrademoreCertified!
Tips for Buying your Child's First Phone

Tips for Buying your Child’s First Phone


Once you choose your phone, your order will be delivered quickly via free 2-day shipping. Talk about convenience! If your child is ready for his/her own phone, be sure to check out Trademore today!
Tips for Buying your Child's First Phone

Tips for Buying your Child’s First Phone

3. Set up parental controls!
To restrict kids from accessing inappropriate material online, parental controls are essential. Most smartphones nowadays come with built-in controls, but you could also download a free app to set even more stringent controls. With the right controls in place, you can restrict almost every aspect of a child’s time on their phone… from which apps they use to website search results and more!

Tips for Buying your Child's First Phone

Tips for Buying your Child’s First Phone

4. Model proper phone use!
Want to check your social media account over dinner? Resist the urge! Your child is watching you and will mimic your behavior over time. By modeling proper phone use, you will teach your child that the phone should not be used during meals. Additionally, talking loudly on the phone in public is considered rude so model the proper behavior. For example, if you have to take a call in a quiet library or bookstore, step outside for a few minutes.

5. Monitor phone activity!
Don’t be shy about monitoring your child’s internet history, the apps downloaded, the games played, the videos watched and more. See who they’re texting with and what they’re texting. Always keep the lines of communication open and encourage them to come to you with any questions about appropriate phone use.

Don’t forget to check out the pre-owned phone selection at Trademore for your child (or yourself)! At what age do you think kids are ready for their own smart phones?

My blog post may contain links to other websites. I am not responsible for the privacy policies of those other websites. When you click on a link, your information may be collected by those websites so I encourage you to read their privacy policies. These affiliate links are not associated with Trademore.


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Disclosure: Engineer Mommy is a participant in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates Program, which is an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For additional details, please see our full Disclosure Policy. Any link may be an affiliate link. All opinions are exclusively my own.