While more than a quarter of parents have purchased their son or daughter’s first mobile before their ninth birthday, the majority are taking this step when their child is 10.
In fact, a study by Compare the Market found 10 and a half was the average age for a child to receive their first phone – just in time for the beginning of secondary school.
But when it comes to choosing the phone, cost can be as big a consideration as age.
According to the analysis by Compare the Market, parents pay on average £18.73 a month for their children’s mobile phone.
As many as half parents said they paid for their child’s mobile phone bill until they were over 18, including one in ten (10%) who continued paying when their child was over 22 years old.
It would appear however many parents thought the cost of their child’s phone contract was too high.
SIM-only or contract?
The survey revealed slightly more parents – 53% – had opted for a mobile phone contract which includes the value of their phone.
Meanwhile 44% said they took out a SIM-only deal on their children’s behalf and bought them the phone separately.
According to Compare the Market, taking out a SIM-only deal and buying the phone separately can work out as the cheaper option. However, the advice is to shop around to compare prices – as it’s not always the case.
Tom Lyon, household bills expert at Compare the Market, said: “There are two main options to consider: a SIM-only deal or a contract that includes a handset.
“SIM-only plans tend to be more affordable and flexible, making them ideal if the child has access to an old device that’s no longer in use.
“On the other hand, phone-inclusive contracts may be convenient when buying a new mobile with a set allowance of minutes, texts and data each month, though typically come with long-term commitments and higher monthly costs.
“Comparing both options and considering your child’s needs – such as basic calling, texting, or light data use – can help you avoid overpaying.”
Consider any additional costs
It would appear it’s not just the basic cost which his racking up bills for parents – but the additional fees for data roaming and in-app games.
A fifth of parents quizzed said they were hit with an additional charge at least once a month. On average, parents have had to pay £32.38 in extra in total.
One parent admitted they had been stung with a £200 bill for additional charges on one occasion alone.
As such, it’s worth checking what add-ons are included in the deal you choose, and whether you can place limits on them to avoid a hefty bill.
Having the latest tech is also a concern for parents. Compare the Market found 48% of parents said their children wanted the latest model or upgrade after their contract ran out – regardless of price.
Most parents refused to give in to this, with the majority (83%) saying regardless of what their child wanted, they picked the phone contract for them.
However, there were many parents – 53% – who ‘often’ let their mobile phone payment plan roll when the deal ended rather than shop for a new one.
As such, parents are being advised to shop around to see if they can making savings before agreeing to a new contract.
Mobile phone safety
A fifth (21%) of parents said they are unaware of control-friendly mobile plans, Compare the Market revealed. These allow adults to set limits for what their children can and can’t access to give them greater peace of mind.
Shopping around will help parents discover these options and empower them to find a deal best suited to their child’s needs – as well as their own.
Lyon added: “With more than a quarter (27%) of parents buying their children a phone on or before their ninth birthday, many kids are now receiving a mobile well before they reach secondary school.
“As this trend continues, parents will likely want to be informed and intentional about how they introduce mobile phones to their children – not just in terms of screen time and safety, but also in terms of cost and the type of mobile plan they choose.”
