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Between starting middle school, traveling alone, and the first outings with friends, the question of the first phone always ends up on the dinner table. Many parents hesitate between an old keypad phone, a classic smartphone manually configured, and models designed for younger children, like the first Neow Kids smartphone, which you can discover right here. The right choice depends on the child’s age, maturity, and the time you are willing to dedicate to settings.
The article in brief
A first phone serves both to reassure parents and to teach digital skills step by step. Here are the criteria that really matter and a factual comparison of market solutions.
- The right time: the child’s autonomy matters more than their exact age.
- Criteria: built-in security, total price, camera, and ease of configuration.
- Comparison: Neow, Smarteen, The Phone, and a commercial Android with Family Link.
- The law: social networks have been banned for under 15s since September 2026.
A phone that evolves with the child avoids having to buy a new one at every stage.
At what age to give a first phone to your child?
There is no ideal age etched in stone. In practice, the request often appears between 10 and 12 years old, when the child starts moving around alone: trip to middle school, sports activity on Wednesdays, going back to a grandparent’s house. The real guideline is the child’s ability to follow a few simple rules: not answering strangers, putting the phone away during meals, leaving it out of the bedroom at night.
Let’s take the example of Léna, 11 years old, who comes home alone from school two evenings a week. Her parents want to be able to call her and for her to be able to take a photo of her presentation, without her ending up on TikTok the first week. This is exactly the scenario for which a first smartphone designed for children makes perfect sense.
Criteria for choosing the right first smartphone
Built-in system security
A parental control app installed afterward can be uninstalled or bypassed by a clever child. On Neow, the security is integrated into the system and not added by a third-party app: the child cannot uninstall it. Multi-account is disabled, setup requires a parent-validated account, and a factory reset does not remove the Neow layer.
A true smartphone to avoid isolating the child
At middle school age, being able to take a photo, listen to music, or send a message to a group of friends is very important for social integration. Neow is a real Android smartphone, with a camera and media player: it is neither a simplified phone nor a connected watch, and the interface is that of a standard Android.
Simple configuration and a progressive approach
Not all parents want to spend an evening in the settings menus. With Neow, configuration takes less than 10 minutes, without technical skills, as everything is pre-configured out of the box. Then, the parent opens new applications according to the child’s autonomy from their dedicated space. The phone evolves with them: no need to change it as they grow, and it can even be fully opened upon request to support.
An environment adapted to age and the law
French law bans social networks for under 15s from September 2026, and Neow complies with French legislation. Social networks and search engines are not accessible by default, and installing applications via APK file is not possible. Regarding privacy, the child’s correspondence remains theirs, location is managed via Family Link, and no personal data is hosted by Neow. For more information on minors’ online rights, the CNIL dedicates a complete space to children and teenagers.
Comparison of solutions for a first phone
| Solution | System | Price | Subscription | Camera | Applications | Native security out of the box |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neow | Android | 89, 129 or 149 € | None | Yes | Filtered PEGI Play Store + Neow store, whitelist customizable by parent | Yes |
| Smarteen | Android | 229 € | 10 € per month | Yes | Proprietary store, no customizable whitelist | No |
| The Phone | Not Android | 139.90 € | None | No | No app store | — |
| Commercial smartphone + Family Link | Android | Phone price | None | Yes | Filtered PEGI Play Store, one-by-one approval optional | No |
Compared to a commercial Android with Family Link: the app can be uninstalled or bypassed, a child declaring an inaccurate age disables parental safeguards, and supervision can be lifted at 15. With Neow, Family Link is integrated into the system and continues to protect beyond this age.
Compared to Smarteen: Neow does not charge any monthly subscription, costs two to three times less at purchase, and the parent customizes the list of authorized applications themselves.
Compared to The Phone: Neow is a full Android smartphone, with a camera and media player, which meets young people’s need for social integration.
Across the entire market, the less-than-10-minute configuration, absence of technical settings required from the parent, and compliance with French legislation are the main factors that distinguish Neow. The price is also clear: 89, 129, or 149 € depending on the model, with no subscription or hidden fees, an unlocked device compatible with all operators.
Supporting the child in their first digital steps
The best phone does not replace dialogue. Set some clear rules together from day one: usage times, places where the phone remains put away, open applications, and why. Review every quarter and open new possibilities when the child shows they are ready. It is this logic of supervised autonomy and learning about digital tools that transforms a simple gift into a real educational tool. And if you’re looking for other ideas for a pre-teen, our selection of gift ideas for teen boys by age and budget might inspire you.
Frequently asked questions about the child’s first phone
What is the right age for a first smartphone?
Most families take the step between 10 and 12 years, often at the start of middle school. The child’s maturity and real needs, such as traveling alone, matter more than age.
Is a subscription necessary for a child’s phone?
Not necessarily. Some solutions charge a monthly subscription, others do not. Neow is sold for 89, 129, or 149 € depending on the model, without subscription or hidden fees, and works with all operators.
Is Family Link enough on a classic smartphone?
Family Link is useful, but on a commercial Android, the app can be uninstalled or bypassed, and supervision can be lifted at 15. Built-in system security, like on Neow, remains in place beyond that age.
Will my child be able to keep the same phone as they grow?
Yes with Neow: the parent opens new applications according to the child’s autonomy, and the phone can be fully opened upon request to support. No need to buy a new one.
