The Plug first phone guide

Their first phone. Your plan.

Useful guidance for parents of 10–14-year-olds: choosing a phone, setting boundaries, and making the most of the protections already built in.

Start with the guidesCompare first phones

A good place to start

  1. Decidan juntosEmpieza por definir para qué necesita un teléfono tu hijo.
  2. Elige el teléfonoTen en cuenta tu rango de precios y los dispositivos que tu familia ya usa.
  3. ConfigúraloUsa la guía de iPhone o Android correspondiente a la edad de tu hijo.
  4. Sigue conversandoEstablece límites y revísalos a medida que tu hijo crezca.

A little independence. A way to stay in touch.

The right time depends on your child and your family. A phone can be useful without needing to be the newest, or something they need just because their friends have one.

Manténganse en contacto

Coordina las recogidas, los cambios de planes y las comunicaciones cotidianas.

Practica la responsabilidad

Cuida un dispositivo, gestiona la batería y aprende cuándo guardarlo.

Haz espacio para herramientas útiles

Lleva un calendario, consulta recursos aprobados por la escuela y organiza el día.

¿Está listo tu hijo? Una verificación de dos minutos

Answer honestly for your family. There is no wrong result, just a better starting point.

Does your child have a real, everyday need to reach you or get somewhere on their own?

Can they look after something valuable, like keeping a device charged and not losing it?

Do they follow the screen and bedtime routines you already have at home?

Will they tell you when something online feels wrong, even if they made a mistake?

Are you ready to set up the controls and check in weekly for the first month?

Listo para comenzar Tu familia ya cuenta con las rutinas necesarias para un primer teléfono. Compara las opciones y luego sigue la guía de configuración correspondiente a la edad de tu hijo.
Compare first phones Abre las guías de configuración
Ya casi está Un teléfono puede funcionar bien con un acuerdo claro y una lista corta de aplicaciones. Empiecen por el acuerdo y luego decidan juntos qué aplicaciones usar.
Get the checklist and agreement Elige las primeras aplicaciones
Vale la pena esperar un poco No se pierde nada por esperar unos meses. Lean juntos la guía de preparación y vuelvan a revisar las preguntas una vez que se haya establecido una rutina.
Lee la guía de preparación

0 of 5 answered

Start with the protections already built in.

Start with your child’s device, their age, and the phone you will use to manage it. These tools help you set boundaries; no setting replaces an ongoing conversation.

iPhone

Explicación de los controles del iPhone.

Cuentas para niños, Tiempo en pantalla, aprobaciones de apps y ajustes de comunicación, con recomendaciones específicas para los grupos de 10–12 y 13–14 años.

Abre la guía de configuración del iPhone

Android

Comienza a usar Family Link.

Cuentas supervisadas, permisos de aplicaciones, horarios y ajustes de ubicación. Incluye a padres que usan un iPhone.

Abre la guía de configuración de Android
Certified Pre-Owned, family-ready picks

Find a first phone that fits.

Compare a practical iPhone, an Android option, and a phone with one month of Boost Mobile service. Each card opens the available configuration shown.

Options under $300 USD, before taxes, accessories, and recurring service. Color, storage, and condition are shown for the linked option.

Every pick is Certified Pre-Owned: a 90+ Point Inspection, the 12-Month Plug Warranty, and 30-Day Love It or Return It. Choose your condition (Good, Great, Excellent) on the product page.

How we choose a first phone Find a case and screen protector

The most useful feature? A plan you make together.

Decide when the phone is put away, which apps need permission, and what to do when something feels wrong. Our printable agreement gives you a starting point to fill in together.

Get the checklist and agreement

Try this in week one

  • Make a practice call and check that your child knows who to contact.
  • Agree on where the phone charges overnight.
  • Review the setup together after the first week.

Llévalo contigo

Print-ready, one page each. Open on your phone, print at home, or save to your files.

  • Family Phone Agreement Fill-in agreement with the age paths, the rules to decide together, and a signature line. Download the PDF
  • Setup Checklist Every step before the phone changes hands, split by age band, plus the week-one review. Download the PDF
Optional service

Their own number. A monthly cost you understand.

Adding a line to your family plan?

Pregunta a tu operador actual cuál sería el costo mensual adicional total, incluidos los impuestos, los cargos y cualquier cambio en tus descuentos actuales. Compara ese monto con el costo de una línea aparte.

Check the exact phone with your carrier before buying. An unlocked phone still needs to be compatible with your carrier and chosen plan.

A separate Boost Mobile line

One month of Boost Mobile Unlimited included in the pack price. Then $25/month with AutoPay.

Unlimited Data, Talk, and Text. The $25/month AutoPay rate is for one Boost Mobile line. Choose an eligible Connected Pack if you want the phone and first month together.

Explora las opciones de teléfono + servicio

¿Cuánto costará realmente el primer año?

Compare adding a line to your family plan with a separate Boost Mobile line. Edit any number.

Total with your family plan $0
Total with a separate Boost Mobile line $0

Estimates only. Taxes, fees, and activation costs are not included. Boost Mobile Unlimited is $25/month with AutoPay for one line; one month is included in the price of an eligible Connected Pack. Coverage and speeds vary.

Eligible Connected Packs only. U.S. service; compatible eSIM device and activation required. Taxes and fees may apply. Coverage and speeds vary. Review current terms before purchase. Boost Mobile provides wireless service; Plug is not a wireless carrier.

Read the Boost Mobile family-plan comparison
Your first phone library

Six guides. One more confident start.