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. Decide togetherStart with what your child needs a phone for.
  2. Choose the phoneMatch your price range and the devices your family already uses.
  3. Set it upUse the iPhone or Android guide for your child’s age.
  4. Keep talkingAgree on boundaries and revisit them as your child grows.

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.

Reach each other

Coordinate pickups, changing plans, and everyday check-ins.

Practice responsibility

Look after a device, manage a battery, and learn when to put it away.

Make room for useful tools

Keep a calendar, follow school-approved resources, and organize the day.

Is your child ready? A two-minute check

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?

Ready to start Your family has the routines a first phone needs. Compare the picks, then follow the setup guide for your child's age.
Compare first phones Open the setup guides
Almost there A phone can work with a clear agreement and a short app list. Start with the agreement, then decide on apps together.
Get the checklist and agreement Choose the first apps
Worth waiting a little Nothing is lost by waiting a few months. Read the readiness guide together and revisit the questions after a routine settles.
Read the readiness guide

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

iPhone controls, explained.

Child Accounts, Screen Time, app approvals, and communication settings, with separate guidance for ages 10–12 and 13–14.

Open the iPhone setup guide

Android

Get started with Family Link.

Supervised accounts, app permissions, schedules, and location settings. Includes parents who use an iPhone.

Open the Android setup guide
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.

  • iPhone 13 Blue 128GB (Unlocked)

    Familiar iPhone setup

    iPhone 13 Blue 128GB (Unlocked)

    Blue / 128GB / Good

    $259.99 USD

    A practical choice for a family already using Apple devices. This 128GB model has a 6.1-inch screen and uses a Lightning cable. Review the selected condition before purchase.

    Device only. Service and accessories sold separately.

    View this exact option
  • Samsung Galaxy S23 128GB 5G- Phantom Black (Unlocked)

    Android with Family Link

    Samsung Galaxy S23 128GB 5G- Phantom Black (Unlocked)

    Phantom Black / 128GB / Good

    $249.99 USD

    An Android option with USB-C and Google's Family Link setup path. Samsung currently lists the Galaxy S23 for security updates. Check your exact carrier before purchase.

    Device only. Service and accessories sold separately.

    View this exact option
  • iPhone 13 Connected Pack (Unlocked) + 1 Month Boost Mobile

    Phone + one month of service

    iPhone 13 Connected Pack (Unlocked) + 1 Month Boost Mobile

    Blue / 128GB / Good

    $284.99 USD

    Choose this if you want a separate Boost Mobile line with the first month included in the pack price. U.S. service and compatible eSIM activation are required.

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

    View this exact 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.

Take it with you

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?

Ask your current carrier for the total added monthly cost, including taxes, fees, and any change to your existing discounts. Compare that amount with the cost of a separate line.

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.

Explore phone + service options

What will the first year really cost?

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.