Your first mobile phone is now almost a modern rite of passage, as memorable as your first sleepover, getting a house key and being allowed to walk to school alone. But when it comes to phones, we do worry about online safety.
So family-friendly network Tesco Mobile has launched a smartphone that's specifically for children : the IMO S2 with in-built monqi technology, which looks identical to a grown-up handset but with extra capabilities that help put their safety first.
Kids can safely browse the internet without ever encountering content intended for those over 12, whether the phone is connected via mobile data or WiFi, and they can access over 1500+ pre-approved apps on the Jungle store, with no ads or in-app purchases.
The smartphone and its partner app can block apps, calls, texts, data usage or the entire phone remotely either manually or during scheduled times or specific locations, so you won't have to worry about losing your little one to a screen.
But the device is also a pretty handy tool for parents too, being able to track where your child is at all times, meaning its perfect for kids that walk to school by themselves.
And once they're at school, you can set time slots and specific locations for when the phone can/can’t be accessed, a feature which allows the phone to be locked or blocked remotely.
You can also control who the phone can be used to contact thanks to a dedicated contacts app that requires parental approval upon entering new contacts.
According to recent research by Tesco Mobile, parents see their child’s first mobile phone as a modern rite of passage, alongside other key milestones such as their first sleepover, getting a house key and being allowed to walk to school on their own, but do worry about online safety. Cue the IMO S2 with in-built monqi technology.
It's not too pricey either, available in-store and online from now on both pay monthly and pay as you go.
Tesco Mobile is offering the IMO S2 with monqi on a 24-month contract for £12 a month, with 250 minutes, 5000 texts, 500MB of data and a free lifetime monqi subscription.
The IMO S2 with monqi will also be available on pay as you go for £99 when purchased with £10 credit.
A Tesco Mobile spokesperson says: ‘We know how important giving a child their first phone is and the issues parents face as a result.
That’s why we’re offering monqi on the IMO S2, so when our customers decide the time is right to give their child a mobile phone, we’re there to offer them a solution that keeps everyone in the family happy.’
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