![nokia1104g illustrative image of the Nokia 110 4G feature phone dumb phone from the rear and the front](https://www.vodafone.co.uk/newscentre/app/uploads/2024/04/nokia1104g.jpg)
New Vodafone research shows 67% of UK parents would prefer their child’s first device to be a basic feature phone without apps.
- Eight in ten of the parents surveyed stated it’s important their child has a phone so they can stay in contact with them.
- The study, of 2,000 parents with children aged 8-14, also revealed that 94% of parents would like school lessons focused on creating healthy digital habits.
- Vodafone offers more feature phone options than any other network, including the Nokia 110 and the TCL OneTouch 4041*.
- Parents can find a wealth of guidance and resources on Vodafone’s Digital Parenting hub, aimed at helping families build healthy digital habits. This includes a toolkit in partnership with NSPCC, Digital Parenting Pro – one of the UK’s largest directories of parental controls, safety settings and guidance on choosing a child’s first phone.
New research released by Vodafone reveals that, while 83% of parents want their child to have a phone so they can contact them, more than two thirds of UK parents (67%) would prefer them to have a feature phone without access to apps, before they own a smartphone. The study surveyed 2,000 parents and carers of children aged 8-14.
Vodafone is raising awareness of feature phones as an option for parents who want to keep in contact with their kids, but are concerned about the online access that comes with owning a smartphone.
7 questions for parents and kids before you buy their first smartphone
Basic feature phones can make and receive calls and texts, with some also possessing a basic camera, MP3 player, radio and torch. Some have very limited web access but, unlike smartphones, do not allow users to surf the internet at will or download any apps, including social media.
However, more than a third of parents (35%) surveyed were unaware that basic feature phones – which can cost as little as £8 to buy from Vodafone – existed as an option.
The study from Vodafone, also found that more than three quarters (81%) of parents think schools should ban the use of smartphones during school hours. This comes after the Scottish Government gave teachers the power to ban phones at school earlier this month.
Additionally, 94% of parents think all schools should provide lessons in creating healthy digital habits. The majority (59%) stated this was key because being online is a vital part of the world children are growing up in.
Online Safety Act: Everything you need to know
Nicki Lyons, Chief Corporate Affairs & Sustainability Officer, Vodafone UK, said: “The new academic year is approaching, and we know this is often a time when parents are considering purchasing their child’s first device.
“At Vodafone, we believe families should choose the device that is right for them, as every family is different. This is why we offer a huge range of choice across both ‘smart’ and feature (non-smart) phones.
“As we can see from this research, many parents want their children to have a basic phone before they get a smartphone. To help meet this need, Vodafone currently has the largest range on the market. We are also very proud to continue building our Digital Parenting tools and resources, together with the NSPCC, to help families navigate the online world safely and build healthy digital habits.”
Kate Edwards, Associate Head of Child Safety Online, NSPCC, said: “At the NSPCC, we know that many parents will have mixed feelings and worries about getting their child their first phone, and some may feel overwhelmed about how to approach this.
“Not only is it important that parents know the different types of phones that are available, but it’s also essential that parents are equipped with tips, tools and conversations they can have to prioritise their child’s safety.
“That is why is why our partnership with Vodafone is so important as, together, we can help more families feel confident when starting this journey.”
Safer Internet Day makes a real difference to children online
To help equip parents and carers with everything they need to navigate buying their child’s first phone, Vodafone has an online Digital Parenting hub, packed with information and resources. This includes Digital Parenting Pro – one of the UK’s largest directories of parental controls and safety settings.
Vodafone also launched Secure Net Home in June 2024, giving busy families hassle-free security and family controls for every connected device in the home. Comprising an array of features – from real-time virus protection to tools for managing digital downtime – it is one of the most comprehensive sets of tools on the market for parents who want to mange their children’s screen time while keeping their family safe online.
Available at no extra cost for all new and existing Pro II customers, you can sign up to Secure Net Home here.
Alongside practical tools and advice, parents can find information on feature phones as well as new and refurbished smartphones to help them choose the best option for their family. Vodafone has more feature phone options than any other network, including the Nokia 110 and TCL OneTouch 4041*.
Vodafone also recently expanded its resources with an online toolkit created in partnership with NSPCC, the UK’s leading children’s charity. The toolkit is designed to provide parents with practical advice regarding online safety, as well as support for setting parental controls.
New youth-led NSPCC group aims to give young people a voice
Vodafone and NSPCC: Nine safety tips if your child has a smartphone
- Set it up as a ‘child’s phone’
Speak to your mobile provider about restricting access to certain content and to avoid overspending on the bill. - Turn on apps’ safety settings
Turn on content filters, chat filters and privacy settings, as well as restricting in-app purchases, on all applications. - Restrict WiFi
Contact your internet service provider for help in setting up content controls for devices connected to your home’s WiFi. - Talk to your child
You know when your child is old enough to talk about certain topics without becoming upset or frightened. When talking about risks, be honest, but try not to catastrophise. - Check location settings
Review location settings on their favourite apps and games, then remind your kids that they shouldn’t share their location online. - Understand app safety settings
For example, TikTok has a Family Pairing feature that links a parent’s account with their child’s. Snapchat offers built-in parental control features, while Instagram has its Parental Guide for Teens, which covers helpful tips. - Don’t forget about online gaming safety
Check each game’s age rating to make sure it is appropriate, and adjust the settings to make sure chat and voice features are turned off. You can set limits on screen time too. - Report harmful online content
If you are concerned about something your child has seen online, you can visit the NSPCC page about reporting online safety concerns or call the NSPCC helpline (0800 800 5000). - Know where to go for help and advice
Vodafone’s online resources are a great place to start, as they can help you decide which phone is best for your child. You can learn more about safety settings in apps, in games and on devices by using Digital Parenting Pro.
Stay up to date with the latest news from Vodafone by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter/X, as well as signing up for News Centre website notifications.
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Notes to Editors
Methodology:
* Survey of 2,300 UK parents carried out by independent market research company WALR in August 2024. WALR is a member, and abides by best practices, of the Market Research Society.
Vodafone’s Feature Phone Claim:
Claim: “Vodafone has more feature phones than any other major network” offered online A feature phone is: a type of mobile phone that has earlier generations of mobile technology, using simpler operating systems, with limited functions compared to smartphones i.e. it contains a fixed set of functions beyond voice calling and text messaging but is not as extensive as a smartphone. For example, it has a camera like a smartphone but it doesn’t have the ability to download apps to access social media such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Dated: 09.08.20204 and sourced: | |||||
Vodafone | EE | VM02 | Three | Sky Mobile | |
Range of feature phones sold online | TCL OneTouch 4041 on Pay as you go | PAYG Phones | Vodafone UK Doro 6820 on Pay as you go | PAYG Phones | Vodafone UK Nokia 105 4G on Pay as you go | PAYG Phones | Vodafone UK TCL OneTouch 4042s on Pay as you go | PAYG Phones | Vodafone UK Nokia 110 4G (2023) on Pay as you go | PAYG Phones | Vodafone UK | IMO Dash Plus | Deals & Contract | EE
| Nokia 105 Pay As You Go Deals (o2.co.uk) Nokia 2660 Flip 4G Deals & Pay Monthly Contracts (o2.co.uk) Nokia 3210 Deals & Pay Monthly Contracts (o2.co.uk) Doro 6880 Deals & Pay Monthly Contracts (o2.co.uk) – | Doro 6820 – Specs, Deals & Contracts | Three
| Buy Nokia 105 (2023) Mobile Phones, Tablets & SIM Only Deals | Sky Mobile Buy Doro 6880 Mobile Phones, Tablets & SIM Only Deals | Sky Mobile
|
Total numbers of feature phones sold online | Vodafone offers 5 feature phones with the costs ranging from £8 to £69 for the device, plus the cost of any PAYG bundle | EE offers 2 feature phones which cost from £39.99-£79.99, plus a minimum £10 top-up | VM02 offers 4 feature phones with the costs ranging from £19 to £79 for the device, plus the cost of any PAYG bundle | Three offers 1 feature phone which costs £99, plus the cost of any PAYG bundle | Sky offers 2 feature phones on PAYM, with costs starting at £2 per month on a 24-month contract |
Conclusion | “Vodafone has more feature phones than any other major network” offered online. |