I think it’s a good idea to get your kids a phone, especially now a days. My 3 step children…11,12 and 13 all have phones so they can communicate with us when they’re home as well as their mom & grandma when they’re with us. I don’t know any specific apps for that, but I’m sure google can give you many options as well as which ones work the best!
Flip phones work just fine
My 11 year old got a phone this year. Him and I both have iPhones, so I am able to track his location at all times. It also helps when he is with his friends because we can stay in contact with one another. If you can afford it, then I say go for it. This day in age you can’t trust people and that’s why I got my son one.
Get a phone that is talk and text only. This was he cannot get on social media.
Have guidelines…help him grow into trust and manhood with disciplined guidelines…love him through it all.
Not one with internet
Find my kids app on great, you can listen to there live surroundings, they can sos you, has own chat, set up routes and pings you once there , and can see it live where they are
Life 360 for location and family link that you can control what apps, websites, time limits and everything through it. You can see his location on Family link also.
Life360 is an app you can keep track off the phone.
iPhones have screen time. You can manage it straight from your phone. And life 360 is a good app for tracking.
We have life 360 it is free. There is also an app that you can dowload that sets a time limit on his phone and you have to unlock it from a code on your phone its called parental control
Life 360 is a tracking app to see location. I’d just start off with a cheap 50.00 smart phone. A 12 yr old doesn’t need anything fancy. It’s funny how some suggest ones where he can’t get on social media, but I’ve been 12 before and I always found a way. If you can’t trust him not to use certain apps then getting him a phone at all is pointless.
Get him a basic phone just to call and text. If it’s just to communicate, that’ll work. We use life 360 for tracking, as for app to check apps, good luck. As a teacher I can tell you, kids are super smart and find ways around the apps.
Friend got a watch for her son that only called a few numbers and had like a few little games onlittle games on it. I would get one when my child’s ready
Get a cheap Samsung and get Family Link. You can see where they are, set time limits, have it shutdown during certain hours, and you have to approve downloads.
Life 360 is a tracking app. I use it with my family. My kids have iPhone and they have great parental restrictions ability. U can block apps, give time limits for anything … talking text, social media. U can even shut the phone off when u want it so they sleep at night. U can limit who the talk to as well.
I’d get a cheap big standard phone at that age personally that does what a phone does such as ring and text
Life360 app is a free tracker we enjoy. Kids track me too…especially to rush chores before I get home.
You can download an app called family link.
They can’t download anything that doesn’t have your permission or log onto anything that you don’t allow. I have full control of what my son sees and watches and downloads. Love it. Xx
We use family link to schedule alloted times for it to be on including bed times and it also has Google tracking. We also use life 360.
My 10 year old has a phone. We have android so we use family link. I can approve apps for download, I can see her location, etc.
My daughter is the same age I said no to phones I’m not ready for that life yet 
My 6 year old has a cellphone. Google family link and I have no worries
My girls got one, she 7. She plays games, calls her dad, texts me from upstairs when she’s being lazy 
, has some friends & family’s number, takes it out with her when she plays in the street & goes to relatives. She’s very responsible for her age. We got her a new one for Christmas a little bit more updated so we’re hoping she looks after this one a little better 
I personally don’t and wouldn’t… but you can set a phone up as a child’s phone and have everything on ur phone so u can check what they’re doing etc.
I love my family link app I use for my kids tablets! You can approve what apps they download, set time limits for certain apps, even shut them down whenever you want with the touch of a button, also has location on it!
Life 360 is an Amazing app to track their location.
Wow ppl worried about phones…myself I’d be more worried why my 12 yr old is any where I’m not! To me that’s just way to young to be out with just their friends…
Verizon smart family does all of the things you listed plus more…
We use MMGuardian, but it really only works well on Android/Samsung devices. It shows you locations/history, every text and call going in or out. Alerts you when they have accessed an inappropriate website or have sent or been sent an inappropriate picture even if they delete it, it saves it. You can set screen time limits and shut the phone off from anywhere you are, but they are still able to call you and 911. You can block websites and apps. It will alert you if they mention drugs/alcohol, cuss words, etc. It has an anti tamper device that will let you know if they try to remove it. Sounds really invasive and strict, but I think with my pre-teen, she does not need full access to do and say whatever she wants. The internet doesn’t care how old you are, it’s just not safe. So I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her protected.
I love family link!!!
No no no. If anything a flip phone with no internet
My child has had one since he was 10 so 4 years and never been in any trouble
My 10, 13, 14 year olds all have phones. We use Family Link to monitor allow app installing and to set times and restrictions on their phones.
My 10 year old has one because she dances 5-6 hours a week and I don’t stay for the long hours she is there. I text her when I am outside and she is dismissed when she shows the front desk that I am there.
My older two are involved in sports and other activities so they all have phones to contact us when needed if we aren’t there
Yes life 360 my 12 year old has a phone an this app is free tells me where she is all the time an when she’s nearly home
My son had a phone at 12 as he was involved in sports and traveled with the team
My 12 year old has one. No restrictions. The trust was given with the phone. 
My opinion is no. If the kid gets on something he isn’t supposed to it’s already done and seen. Then it notifies you. Either completely block inappropriate stuff or don’t get the phone. I don’t want to find out after the fact. I want to prevent it.
My daughter has a space talk adventure watch. She can text ring and take photos etc on it. She can only message numbers that i add on my app and same with who can message her. Shows location etc and i set school mode so she cant use in school hours. She is 9 tho. At 12 i will let her have a phone
If you get a iPhone you can manage so much stuff on it. That’s what we do to my 11 year old. You and the kid have to have iPhones though
Family link is awesome
I would t personally but it really comes down to if you trust him and feel is mentally capable of adult responsibility because we all know at some point he will be tested with that responsibility do you think he will be able to make the right choices
My daughter will be 11 in March and doesn’t have one. I told her when she matures a little more than we can talk about it. If she’s not at school then she’s always home or with a family member
Yes, Life360 is amazing! And if he can be trusted, yes, get him a phone. Check all of his stuff though, too.
Our kids have had one since they were 10. I say yes but download family link to set locks and stuff.
My daughter has a phone she’s 13 and it comes with earning it. She has to have grades above 80 and plus just behave/be respectful at home to have it. I use screen time from iPhone to limit access or limit time of use.
I got my 12 year old. One this year. There are rules. No phone till chore are done. No social media. I can look at it anytime I want. Isn’t in her room at night and such.
There is always a reason at this point in time for kids to have a phone even if it’s for emergencies. I remember my daughter who’s 25 having the fire fly phone. It took a Sim card you paid for it every month like 20 or 25 bucks something like that was real cheap but the only people they could call us who you programmed into the phone which was like you your spouse whatever. When she was older we switched over to the iPhone. Then my younger daughter use the fire fly because it was still set up for the emergency, when we couldn’t get a new Sim card for it because they the service was any I had to get a Sim card with the new provider not have them available for that phone. So we got her an iPhone.
I say if you feel your child is responsible enough. Definitely do it! I’m not sure why parents on here are so against it. If there are restrictions in place it’s a great way to show him you trust him and give him the opportunity I show you he’s responsible. Plus the way things are these days as soon as my daughter turns 9-10 we are getting her one. Basic, but she’ll have one.
Verizon has family link where there are tons of parent controls including shit off time, location tracking, even only allowing certain contacts in the phone
I bought my kids phones… pay as you go, so if I need to I don’t up their phone if they abuse privileges.
Life 360 I have on both my teenage daughters phone
My son is 13 and has had a phone since he was 8. Before anybody gets down my throat and saying that’s too young mind your business cause if u don’t know someone’s situation then u have no right to judge 
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So with location you can put life360 on his phone (that’s what I use) websites you can put parental lock on it. Apps I think it’s called family link or something and you put it on both phones and anything he downloads you can approve of it or not.
Basic flip phone is all he needs. And you can set it up to keep tabs on him.
My 15 year old son has a phone and we use family link for Android. He has gotten his phone locked many times for inappropriateness too. Kids are subjected to so much these days it’s hard to monitor it all
I use life 360 its a tracker and it is amazing. I use it for my 15 year old brother since i bought him a phone and ite been atleast 4 months he hasnt noticed that i downloaded it on there.
Life 360 is good. And I just used the free version. It is very precise on location. I’m not sure about data usage restrictions tho.
Yes, it’s about safety in this world at this point.
Life 360 is a great tracking app
Yes absolutely in today’s world
The pay to go are great for kids, get the insurance… I used to have mine do “paid” chores, not normal house but ones I choose to have (like helping with my goats or cleaning my car) so they had to help pay…
I bought my son (11) a phone to start school (middle school) this year. He walks almost a mile to the after-school program and it’s been nice to know he can call if needed. We got a kids plan through Verizon and I can control and track everything.
Yes He will love it! Follows your rules or no phone.
Of course you can get him a phone he’s 12. Phones are a necessity these days.
I say yes get him a phone… I’m getting my son who will be 6 in February a phone… I’m adding him to my Verizon plan tomorrow… he can read and knows how to text and call…
Life360 you can track his location. In the settings when setting up the phone you can do parental controls.
Google family link is brilliant I have it on all my kids devices 
My daughter is 11 and has had a phone since she was 8
Yes my 6 year old daughter has a phone because to many pervs out in this world
I suggest getting a basic phone, not a smart phone, at least until he is older and can show he can take care of his phone. Also if you give him a smart phone he will find porn, look at all of the posts we have seen here about finding out kids are watching porn on their phones. I believe most phones that are put onto a family plan there is tracking capability. Personally I don’t believe kids should have smart phones unless they work to earn the cost of the phone especially if they are wanting phones that cost more than $100.
My 10 year old has had one for going on 1 1/2 years now….
Life360 and Family Link…both great apps. 360 lets you track location and Family Link lets you have control over what is downloaded onto their phone from your own phone.
Life 360… even the free one lets you know where he is all the time
My son got a phone at 12 bc he flew coast to coast alot. He got a generic phone, apps. No internet needed.
My youngest isn’t flying so she gets a phone when she drives.
Too many teachers are posting Google Class chats & these kids aredoing adult stuff bc parents all say “My child would never”
If you don’t plan to check said phone call the time, do not get one. 10 yr olds are sending nudes… Pay attention or don’t bother.
I personally wouldn’t
All of mine get them at 11 when they start middle school. I need to be able to reach them.
I use google family. I can see absolutely anything my kid does on his phone I can shut it off from my phone etc. set up times it comes on and shuts off you name it. Block site. Approve apps. Etc
Think of getting a pay-as-you-go phone. They’re much cheaper than anything from Verizon or Cricket and the kid learns responsibility and boundaries. Give them XYZ minutes per month, they have to learn to not waste their minutes. Cellphones don’t grow on trees.
I got my son a phone for when he went into year 7
Life 360 & Family Link!
I use Family Link on my kids tablets it shows me what apps they use & how long they’re on them! I love it!
Mint mobile it’s $15 the first 3 months u have to paid for 3 months up front so that $45 u can also bring your own phone and get a Sim card from them, and for Android phones family link is good
Straight talk! An iPhone has amazing parental controls versus the standard cheap prepaid phone . Life 360 is also a must have!
If you have Verizon they have a parental program where you can track them, approve all there apps and monitor calls and text. I just got my jr high child a phone for the first time. I’m impressed with the parental capabilities with Verizon!
I have a gabb wireless phone for my daughter. The phone is set up to prevent internet access, games, and if you choose, photos. She can text and call and that’s absolutely it. There is an app for your phone (regardless of carrier) that will allow you to GPS locate the phone. Also… it’s about 20 bucks a month for unlimited talk and text and the phone which is usually 99 bucks has been on sale all month. It was a win/win for us because the phone wasn’t super expensive and she can only use it for the purpose we intended.
All my girls have their own phone. Giovanna my youngest is only 5 and only allow to use kids YouTube and certain educational games on her phone as well as Google duo to call me. But with school shootings a norm nowadays I require all my kids have a phone to be in touch with me for something like this. My 2nd oldest had an incident at school and I didn’t know about it til after I picked her up from school and I was livid because the school never called us to let us know what happened until like late that evening, so I require all my girls to have a phone.
My 11 year old has a phone and I use Family Link to monitor everything!
Might be frowned upon by most, but my 9 year old son has a phone and has for over a year now. It makes me feel way more comfortable having him have it with Life 360 so I can track his location. And I monitor his apps and all that pretty often. Plus, less sharing I have to do with my phone. 
he only has family as contacts on his phone so I really don’t think it’s that big of a deal. Just have a talk with them about the importance of privacy and not giving out their name and number online and all that junk.
I use life 360 for my kids
It depends on if u feel he’s mature enough to follow rules set for having the phone! My daughter has had a phone since 9 because she is in all kinds of after school activities and I can track her location! She’s now 13! As the mother do what u think because u know him more then we do! And just make sure if u get him a phone set rules and make sure he follows them!
My 9 year old has a phone 
Depends on the child. Some are more mature than others.
You can put limitations on the phone. Apps have to be approved etc… Pull it at bedtime. Limit the use for like example: one hour after home work or one hour after bedtime. They start to earn so freedom & trust at that age. If he misuses the phone you take it away. My daughters location is alwayssss on. She knows it and doesn’t care. It’s building that trust and explaining it’s for safety. I always looked at it like if she’s sleeping at a friends and doesn’t want to use their landline to come home she can secretly text me. It’s always been a good means of communication for us when she was younger because I worked alot & weird hours.
Yes you can do all that. Parental control, tracking and have phone shut off at a certain time.
Life 360 is a great app for tracking your child. We have it. And my 17 yr old and my 7 yr old both have phones with service.
My grandson has had a phone since he 6 years old
Just got my 10 year old one for his bay it depend on the responsibility of the child
All 3 of mine had their first phone at 10 years old. Ready for moving up to secondary school abs more independence
Do you trust him to answer the phone?
My son is 12 and has a phone. I made sure to get him one once he started middle school. I feel more comfortable knowing he can contact me if he ever needs to, instead of relying on the office. Or if he’s with friends I can always contact him.