Seven cell phones for kids

For safety and communication with your on-the-go kids, nothing beats a cell phone. Still, they are children and a cell phone is a big responsibility. The first phone needs to be simple and hopefully inexpensive. Here are seven good choices to get your kid started.

Kajeet

Award-winning Kajeet offer phones with maximum parental controls. Its mobile plans set time and text limits via an online account. You can also control their contact list and filter which sites your child visits. They are GPS enabled. And no contracts and no activation fees!

Firefly glowPhone

A simple phone for simple communication between kids and parents. The phone has 210 hours of battery life, a built in flashlight and programmed keys for dialing parents. It can receive texts only. $50 keeps it affordable. Requires a SIM card from your carrier.

Kytephone

This app takes an Android phone you already have and makes it kid-friendly with customizable controls. You can switch from parent to kid mode. It also offers a GPS tracker. You can manage your child’s phone online or from your cell.

LG Migo

This Verizon plan-based phone is often called the “Shrek phone” for its bright green color. It’s simple to use and made for smaller hands and chubby fingers. Parent programmable with limited features, it has more than 200 hours of battery life.

Just5 J510

This phone has big buttons, easy-to-read screen and a fat body. It comes with built-in flashlight and a talking keypad. You can pre-program five emergency numbers. When your child holds down the SOS button, all five buttons are called continuously until someone answers. Cheap and contract free, the cost about $10 per month for 100 rollover minutes.

Samsung Factor

Another basic phone with calling, texting and camera. The Factor is available for $29 through Boost Mobile and has no contract. You can go prepaid or pay as you go.

Nokia Lumia

For older kids, this phone has built-in Microsoft Office for access to homework. It’s compatible with Xbox Companion, a free app that syncs to Xbox Live. When you use it near a console, the Xbox will port whatever you are browsing on the phone and put it on the screen.

Source: Mashable