Buying a cheap first SIM for a child - parental locks on Lyca or Lebara?

gypsymoth

Buying a dirt-cheap SIM for my 11 year old and the deals from Lyca and Lebara fit my budget

But, I also want to be able to control his usage and what he sees online - usual parental lock stuff.

However, really struggling to find anything on their respective websites about parental controls, and nothing via search. Anyone with these operators and able to help?

Alternatively, any other network thats less than £5 a month for a data+calls+texts deal - suggestions appreciated

Thanks

flaneurs_lobster

I recall that the last time this question was raised the consensus was that there was such a SIM available (ParentShield) and it was very comprehensive and effective - and very expensive. 

Other than that, most providers that I've used will have a switch that will allow you to view "adult" websites, usually needs a credit card or similar to verify over 18. This does, of course, rely on web content providers correctly identifying their content as "adult", most people think it would take the average pre-teen about 30 seconds to hack round this restriction.

Make sure you put a limit on the amount (£) that can be spent over the monthly quota (can be zero).

There are apps which claim to be able to secure a phone for child-friendly use, but see pre-teen workaround ability above.

You've found the obvious cheap SIM providers, take a look at RWG and maybe VOXI which has unlimited social media access for some sites if that's what your kid is into. 

And none of this is relevant if public wi-fi /mate's hotspot is used for internet access.

gypsymoth

flaneurs_lobster said:

I recall that the last time this question was raised the consensus was that there was such a SIM available (ParentShield) and it was very comprehensive and effective - and very expensive. 

Other than that, most providers that I've used will have a switch that will allow you to view "adult" websites, usually needs a credit card or similar to verify over 18. This does, of course, rely on web content providers correctly identifying their content as "adult", most people think it would take the average pre-teen about 30 seconds to hack round this restriction.

Make sure you put a limit on the amount (£) that can be spent over the monthly quota (can be zero).

There are apps which claim to be able to secure a phone for child-friendly use, but see pre-teen workaround ability above.

You've found the obvious cheap SIM providers, take a look at RWG and maybe VOXI which has unlimited social media access for some sites if that's what your kid is into. 

And none of this is relevant if public wi-fi /mate's hotspot is used for internet access.

This is really really useful. Thank you

macy08

If you both have Android you can use Google Family Link. We use this and can stop them accessing specific websites and apps. Check their browsing history and given them timed access to their device.  I've also recently got the child a Lebara SIM and am pleasantly surprised that it doesn't allow him to go over his data allowance for extra charges.

flaneurs_lobster

macy08 said:

If you both have Android you can use Google Family Link. We use this and can stop them accessing specific websites and apps. Check their browsing history and given them timed access to their device.  I've also recently got the child a Lebara SIM and am pleasantly surprised that it doesn't allow him to go over his data allowance for extra charges.

Can see how that might be useful as long as all access to the phone is via a defined Google account. There are, of course, ways to circumvent these restrictions. 

gypsymoth

macy08 said:

If you both have Android you can use Google Family Link. We use this and can stop them accessing specific websites and apps. Check their browsing history and given them timed access to their device.  I've also recently got the child a Lebara SIM and am pleasantly surprised that it doesn't allow him to go over his data allowance for extra charges.

Thanks. I'm on iOS and unfortunately theres no equivalent function app, which is crazy given Apple's rep as a family oriented company.

PHK

gypsymoth said:

macy08 said:

If you both have Android you can use Google Family Link. We use this and can stop them accessing specific websites and apps. Check their browsing history and given them timed access to their device.  I've also recently got the child a Lebara SIM and am pleasantly surprised that it doesn't allow him to go over his data allowance for extra charges.

Thanks. I'm on iOS and unfortunately theres no equivalent function app, which is crazy given Apple's rep as a family oriented company.

Apple has had parental controls (and more comprehensive ones than Android) for a long time. 

https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT201304 

macy08

flaneurs_lobster said:

macy08 said:

If you both have Android you can use Google Family Link. We use this and can stop them accessing specific websites and apps. Check their browsing history and given them timed access to their device.  I've also recently got the child a Lebara SIM and am pleasantly surprised that it doesn't allow him to go over his data allowance for extra charges.

Can see how that might be useful as long as all access to the phone is via a defined Google account. There are, of course, ways to circumvent these restrictions. 

Well he's only 10 and luckily hasn't worked this out yet 🤫