Choosing the best phones for kids going back to school

Ready to find the best phone for the new school year?

With the back-to-school season quickly approaching, finding the right device for your kid or teenager becomes an important decision. A suitable phone or tablet can enhance their learning experience, keep them organized, and give them a way to stay connected with family and friends. This guide will help you navigate the options and choose the best device for their needs.

What’s the best feature phone for my youngest?

Selecting the ideal phone for your kid involves considering their age, technological familiarity, and your budget. Generally, simplicity and reliability are key. With that in mind, let’s look at a few options.

The Nokia 3310 is a classic choice that offers essential features without the distractions of modern smartphones. Its long battery life and durable design make it a great introductory phone. Offering up to a whole day of talk time or a month of standby time, the “Godfather” of feature phones and one of the bestselling mobile phones in history, it became the poster child for durability – in Finland it was even dubbed “The indestructible”. Today’s iteration boasts a modern yet familiar design, and a new-and-improved version of the classic Snake game. Nokia 3310 is ready to survive everyday knocks, and the perfect device to limit screen time.

Functionality and affordability are also key factors for your child’s mobile phone. The Nokia 8210 4G strikes an excellent balance between essential features and modern connectivity. If your child is a little older, 4G capabilities allow them to access online resources quickly, collaborate on group projects, and stay updated on assignments.

What’s the best phone for tweens and teens?

The tween and early teen years are a transitional phase. Staying in touch with friends becomes more important than ever, but you might also want to limit potential distractions at school. The Nokia 2660 Flip is a great option.

A current favourite amongst Gen Z, Nokia 2660 Flip phone is already being used by older students to it to limit their screen time for their own mental wellbeing. It has received high praise globally for its gorgeous clamshell design, simple functionality, and lack of notifications! It offers a user-friendly experience in a compact form. And because the flip design that protects the main screen, it’s perfectly suitable for younger users who are new to the responsibilities of phone ownership.

As teenagers reach high school, their phone needs to evolve. The Nokia 5710 XpressAudio offers improved features for communication and multimedia. Its enhanced camera and audio capabilities and embedded earbuds can support creative projects, while its retro design is something that can help older teenagers to stand out.

Are there tablets for a kid?

While phones play a vital role for teenagers and tweens, tablets can be valuable tools for both entertainment and education for younger children. The Nokia T10 Kid's Edition tablet is designed with young users in mind. It comes with a kid-friendly interface, and educational apps pre-installed. Its large screen is ideal for reading e-books, engaging with interactive learning materials, and creative tasks. And, parents can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to on-board parental controls and its protective outer cover.

Finding the right phone or tablet for every age

Whether you’re looking for a tablet for your kid or choosing the right phone for your teenager's back-to-school, the selection process needs a bit of thoughtful consideration. The range of Nokia phones and tablets offers a variety of options to cater to different age groups and preferences. Whether you opt for the simplicity of the Nokia 3310, the connectivity of the Nokia 8210 4G, or the multimedia features of the Nokia 5710 XpressAudio, you'll be getting them a phone that supports them throughout the school year and beyond.

If you’re making that decision for a teenager, it’s always a good idea to involve them in the conversation! Their input and preferences matter. Involving them can help them understand the responsibility that comes with owning a phone. With the right device in hand, your teenager, tweenager, or young adult will be equipped to excel in their studies and maintain a healthy balance between technology and other aspects of life.