Top 5 best mobile phones for the kids

There was a time when parents were torn about buying phones for their kids. Many feel that it is an adult device, and that kids should not have them yet. Other people have watched CSI on TV and know that a mobile phone can save a child's life. Therefore, here are five phones you should buy your child. However, as a point of information, please take note of these two facts. Number one, if you put your child on a contract phone then he or she will run up a massive bill every time. Number two, if you spend a lot of money on a phone then you will be very upset when your child trades it for another child's chocolate milk, or loses it in the park.

1 - The Nokia 100

This is really the ideal phone for younger children because it is cheap, simple to use and it has a large battery. It is a reliable phone and a good choice for your child. It has been developed so that it is easy to operate, and the large battery makes it so that the child does not have to recharge it as often. If you choose a very basic model such as this, then it is less of a loss when your child inevitably loses it, and it also means that you child is less likely to be robbed.

The resale value of the phone is a lot less than a Smartphone and this is sometimes enough of a deterrent for criminals who may wish to steal it. You should buy this phone on a pay-as-you-go deal, so that you child cannot run up very large phone bills. The simple design also makes it harder to damage.

2 - LG Optimus L3

This phone is ideally suited for children or early teenagers. It is not an Apple iPhone, but it still has a little bit of street credibility. It has 3G and Wi-fi, and runs on Android. This means that the child now has access to a large number of Android apps. If you wish, you may like to allow your child to download apps that you must pay for. However, there are apps you may download for free if you wish.

The phone has a camera, GPS and a music player, which is pretty good for early teenagers. It is a small phone, which will suit a child's pocket size, buy you should try to ensure that your child does not lose this one. The phone allows easy access to the Internet, which allows your child to access social media and other related sites. The phone may be ever so slightly too advanced for younger children.

3 - Nokia Asha 201

This is a phone for slightly older children that are slightly more likely to be able to keep hold of their phone without losing it. It has a Qwerty keyboard to enable your child to write with the phone, but it still have very basic apps so that you young child may be able to operate it. The battery is very big, which is good for young children who often forget to charge the phone up when it is low on power.

This is aimed at younger children who have just started getting interested in text messages. The basic apps also allow the child to have access to Twitter and Facebook too. The games on it are fairly simple, but ideally you do not want your child becoming obsessed with his or her phone at such a young age. The battery runs for a fairly long time, which may be handy for if you child likes to fiddle with his or her phone during the day.

4 - Motorola Defy

This phone is a difficult one to break, and so may be ideal for male children from the ages of ten to fifteen. It will take a fair amount of punishment, which may be what the child needs if he or she is running around at school all the time. It runs on the Android operating system so the child is able to gain access to Google Play. There are plenty of free apps on there to keep your child entertained.

The phone has a camera, GPS and a music player. It will withstand many scrapes and a lot of knocks and bags. You may wish to purchase a few apps for your child too, as there are many educational ones. The phone is not a new model, and is expensive, which is not going to work in your favor. No doubt a young teen is not going to appreciate how much it cost, or try to demand you buy a more modern model.

5 - Apple iPhone 4S

This is not exactly the newest Apple iPhone, but the 4S is still expensive enough, there is no need to go buying an even more expensive one. Do not listen to the cries of your child that this phone is now out of date, because even if you bought the most modern version out today, it will be old news in a year. This phone is more for older teenagers who are definitely not going to lose it.

It has a nice touch screen display and is very well built. It works on the Apple iOS, so it enables you to gain access to the many apps that come with the iOS. It has a lot of other features that teenagers seem to find enthralling, but be aware that these are very expensive, even if you buy them second hand. So make sure that your child keeps it on him or her at all times, and warn them that thieves will be after their phone.

Bio: Kate Funk is a passionate blogger and online tutor at Rushtutors.