More and more children get their first phone at a young age. But from what age is a child's own Sim Only plan actually sensible, and what should you watch for as a parent before signing up?

From what age should a child have their own plan?

There's no legal minimum age for a phone or Sim Only plan, but the contract always has to be in a parent's or guardian's name: minors can't enter into a binding agreement themselves. In practice, most children get their first phone around the transition to secondary school, roughly age 11 to 12. A rough guideline by age:

  • 6 to 9 years: possibly a simple phone purely for calling, or a GPS tracker — a full Sim Only plan usually isn't needed yet.
  • 10 to 12 years: an entry-level smartphone with a small data bundle of 2 to 5GB.
  • 13 to 15 years: a somewhat larger bundle, often 10 to 15GB, as social media starts to play a bigger role.
  • 16 and older: a regular plan, comparable to an adult's.

How much data does a child actually need?

For most children, a small data bundle is more than enough. Since the 2024-2025 school year, a nationwide phone ban applies in secondary school classrooms, so children are mostly on WiFi during the day rather than mobile data. A 2 to 5GB bundle is therefore plenty for most 10- to 12-year-olds; only heavier social media or streaming use justifies a bigger bundle.

Keeping costs under control

The most important thing to check is a hard data cap (sometimes called a 'data ceiling'): once the bundle runs out, mobile internet simply stops instead of being charged per MB. Providers with a fair-use model reduce speed when you go over instead of sending a huge bill. Either way, avoid plans that charge per MB once the bundle is used up — that can lead to an unpleasant surprise with unintentional use.

Parental controls: on the device, not just at the provider

Most providers don't offer extensive content filtering themselves; parental controls are usually set up on the device. On an iPhone you use Screen Time (app limits, content restrictions), on Android Google Family Link is the standard option (screen time, app approval, location). Some providers go a step further: KPN, for example, offers a special Kids Sim with extra controls on apps and expensive premium numbers.

Curious which providers have a dedicated offering for children? Read also: Which providers have a Sim Only plan specifically for children? Compare your options

Want to know how to set everything up properly right away? Read also: Setting up Sim Only for your child safely: parental controls and a data cap in 5 steps

Conclusion

There's no fixed age at which a child is 'ready' for their own Sim Only plan — it depends on what your child needs and what you're comfortable with. Choose a small, appropriate data bundle, turn on a hard data cap to avoid surprises, and set up parental controls on the device itself.

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