AS children embark upon their journeys into secondary schools, many parents will be considering whether now is the right time for them to have their own mobile phone.

New research shows that more than a third of UK parents said deciding when to get their child a phone was one of their hardest decisions - as difficult as choosing a school. Three quarters felt it was important for their child to have a mobile when starting secondary school, to help keep them safe travelling to and from school, or out with friends. But more than half those surveyed by Vodafone in partnership with the NSPCC said they were worried.

It is a big step. Knowing there is information and support available can be a big help. Buying a phone is just the first step - safety features and apps have to be set up, with many parents in the dark over apps they’re unfamiliar with. How many people reading this can say with confidence they know what BeReal, Snapchat and TikTok are or how to stay safe on these platforms?

More than half of those surveyed said the decision was difficult because they were worried about children seeing inappropriate content or being bullied online.

Children in 2023 are more excited about getting their first phone than their first pet or bicycle, and research shows that almost one in 10 parents spend five months or more discussing when to buy their child a phone. Around 10 per cent of contacts to the NSPCC Helpline in 2022/23 focusing on mobile phones or online platforms took place in August, highlighting a spike in online safety concerns ahead of the new school term.

A key part of our partnership with Vodafone is the creation of a new online platform to provide parents with practical resources for buying their child’s first phone, including how to set parental controls and offering advice to help them get the best deal. Here are some tips on helping keep your child safe with their first mobile:

Ensure it’s set up as a ‘child’s phone’. Do this by speaking to your mobile phone provider and enabling features which restrict access to certain content and prevent children spending too much time on their device. Activate parental control, limiting networks your child’s phone can access. Make sure safety settings are activated on apps, including content and chat filters. You can also set up WiFi controls for devices in your home. Most importantly, talk to your child about online risks. Remind them not to share their location on apps or games. Access Vodafone’s online resources or the NSPCC website for more information.