Which phone is best for my child?

Young people and phones: the facts 

In June 2025, the Ministry of Education confirmed that smartphones would essentially be banned from primary and secondary schools.

And almost everywhere you look, you can find a story about the detrimental effects of screen time, which include increased levels of depression, anxiety, loneliness, behavioural changes, and motor skills deficiency.

Yet earlier this year, results from a national survey showed that 90% of children residing in Luxembourg are phone owners by the age of 12.

So why are parents buying their children phones? What choices do parents have when confronted with this huge decision? And how can parents protect their children from the impacts of excessive digital media consumption?

Why does my child need a phone? 

Most parents would probably name safety as the number one reason for buying their child a phone. Parents can track their children as they make their way to and from school, fostering a sense of independence whilst keeping a watchful eye.

Children can stay in touch with their friends and family – which as all expats know, is particularly important when you are living far from home.

Phones can be used in an educational manner, useful for research and schoolwork, particularly if families have limited IT devices at home. Many teachers promote the use of learning apps, and lots of schools make use of Microsoft Teams or online homework websites.  
 
There are also many apps and websites available to get children’s creative juices flowing, such as video production, music composition, art, dance, coding, robotics, literacy, and writing.

The list of things that kids can do on their smartphones is endless, but so are the hours that your child could spend alone in their room, typing, tapping, clicking, and scrolling ... scrolling ... scrolling ...  

A possible alternative: the dumbphone 

So, we acknowledge there are several big advantages to owning a phone. And we want to keep tabs on our children as they head off to Kinepolis with their pals or make their own way home from evening football practice. But we also know that there are many legitimate concerns surrounding phone habits, screen addiction, and negative behaviours. So how do we tackle this?

Well, one option would be to buy your child a dumbphone. Whereas a smartphone is essentially a small computer, chock full of colourful apps, multimedia players, endless games, and the ability to browse the internet; a dumbphone is designed to look like something from the 90s – just like the old brick phones you probably had as a teen! Less appealing than their smart counterparts, dumbphones, otherwise known as basic phones, tend to feature either an old school LCD screen with the standard nine keypad buttons (remember that?!) or a black and white touchscreen.

Post Luxembourg seems to be the only phone store in the Grand Duchy to offer a decent selection of basic phones on a mobile plan. Electrical shops such as Media Markt and Hifi International have a selection of basic phones, and there are plenty to choose from online.
 

My child already owns a smartphone. Can I dumb it down? 

The answer is absolutely yes! There are a few quick fixes and easy hacks you can do to make your child’s smartphone safer and less appealing to them.  
 
Go grey
Having a permanently grayscale phone is proven to reduce doomscrolling; if everything on TikTok is black and white, users won't get the dopamine hit which usually comes through watching colourful images and videos.

Turn on parental controls
Parents can restrict internet usage, block certain websites, or even deactivate internet browsers completely. Alternatively, you could install one of the many child-safe web browsers available, such as Kiddle, Zoodles or Kinder Browser.

Set time limits
Head to settings and put timers on the apps that require it, such as social media or games.

Put restrictions on contacts 
You can restrict who your child calls and messages by allocating trusted contacts.

Activate bedtime mode
Get your child ready for bed by turning on bedtime mode or setting up ‘do not disturb’ at night. The screen will dim, and notifications will be paused to promote a screen free night’s sleep.

An array of apps
Free apps such as Android Family Link or Apple Screen Time are useful for setting up timers and restrictions on browsing. Other paid apps such as Family Keeper, Bark, Qustodio, Net Nanny, and Aura may offer additional features such as monitoring cyberbullying and using AI to scan texts and images. 

What about a smarter than dumbphone? 

And a final alternative which might be appealing to some parents. Somewhere in the middle of dumb and smart, you will find a selection of phones which offer the ease and simplicity of a dumbphone whilst supporting apps and internet browsers, without the colourful, addictive allure of a typical smartphone. Devices such as the Minimal Phone, the Balance Phone, and the Light Phone claim to give you hours of your life back at the same time as offering you the tools required to navigate modern life. 
 
It goes without saying that parents can and should check their child’s phone on a regular basis to ensure safe and secure usage. Keep tabs on their browser history, daily screen time, and communication on social media apps and channels. 
 

Overall comparison between smartphones and dumbphones 

There is no right or wrong when it comes to buying a phone for your child. Take time to discuss their needs and requirements. Consider the age and maturity of your child as this might have a bearing on your final decision.
 
Most importantly, make your expectations clear and establish a set of family guidelines surrounding phone usage so that your child can enjoy a positive experience with their device.