Read the Internet Matters guide on choosing a mobile phone for a child.
Switch to our shared family plan to manage you and a child's plan on one account.
We want children to be safe on our network. Use our Set Up Safe service to block adult content, set spending caps, and stop them adding extra charges to the bill.
Read the Internet Matters guide on choosing a mobile phone for a child.
Switch to our shared family plan to manage you and a child's plan on one account.
Use the Set Up Safe service to:
You have complete control of the settings and must contact us by phone to remove them.
Text SET UP SAFE to 150 on the child's pay monthly phone. You must be the account holder.
Either choose the individual settings, or choose a package of our recommended settings based on the child's age.
The settings are activated by midnight. After that, you must contact EE by phone to change or cancel the settings.
We can only block websites when the phone is using data to access the internet, not WiFi. Contact your internet provider to block content over WiFi, or use Apple Family Sharing or Family Link from Google.
We've put together a package of settings that we recommend for children based their age.
|
Under 9 year's old | 10 to 12 year's old | Over 13 |
---|---|---|---|
Mobile network access | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
High Speed internet | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
Sending and receiving texts | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
Sending and receiving calls | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
Using data (roaming) outside of the EU | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked |
Using data (roaming) inside the EU | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed |
Content lock | Content lock set to STRICT - blocks adult websites including chat rooms, dating sites and unmoderated social networks | Content lock set to STRICT - blocks adult websites including chat rooms, dating sites and unmoderated social networks | Content lock set to MODERATE - blocks adult websites but not websites rated below PG or social networking sites |
Spending cap | Spending cap set to £0 - the child can't spend outside of their monthly allowance | Spending cap set to £5 - the child can charge up to £5 to their bill if they go over their allowance | Spending cap set to £5 - the child can charge up to £5 to their bill if they go over their allowance |
International calls | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked |
Premium number calls or texts | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked |
Charges to bill (paying for additional services through a phone bill) | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked |
Additional data purchases | Blocked | Blocked | Blocked |
Voice short codes are typically 5 or 7 digits long and begin with a 6 or 8. They are used for things like TV voting as the number to call when calling from a mobile. Any calls to short code numbers cannot currently be blocked from mobiles and may incur charges.
Manage a child's device settings and turn off:
Talk to any children you care for about about the consequences of posting personal information, especially photos, online.
Children should be aware that they lose control of a photo after they share it - who sees it and how it's going to be used. It's also important to talk to them about consent and sharing photos of other people.
Our safety settings will help minimise risks children face online.
It's still really important to talk to children about leading a healthy online life and to guide and monitor their internet use.
Guides for parents (the Internet Matters website)
Our partner Internet Matters has expert guides for parents. You can get advice on how to teach children resilience and how to identify risks online. Read their guidance on:
Guides for children (The BBC Own It app)
We recommend trying the BBC's free app Own It.
The app is designed for children to use when they get their first phone. The app has a special keyboard that gives children helpful tips and friendly advice as they type.
Download Own It app for iPhone or Own It app for Android.
Apps to check what a child is doing online (Apple Family Sharing and Family Link from Google)
Apple Family Sharing is a shared platform for your family. You can control what a child purchases, gain awareness of how a child uses their device and limit content children have access to on their devices.
Family Link from Google helps parents set digital ground rules for their children and teens as they learn, play and explore on their devices. Parents can manage apps and content, set screen time limit, see where thye are and get teacher-recommended apps.