The best phone plan for kids in Switzerland
Your child has expressed the desire for the first cell phone and you are probably asking yourself a thousand questions right now. But don’t worry, we’ve got all the answers to your child’s first cell phone right here. From the right cell phone subscription for children or the suitable prepaid SIM, to rules of conduct or parental control apps, to the suitable device, you can find all the necessary information right here!
Table of contents:
• When should a child have its own cell phone?
• Safety first – youth protection & parental control apps
• Finding the right cell phone subscription for children
• Prepaid for children
• Children’s cell phone models according to needs
• Rules of etiquette for children’s cell phones
• Conclusion
Overview – A mobile phone for kids
| Handy Type | Age | Pros | Cons | To note |
| Emergency cell phoneWithout Internet access | 9-12 | • Child is reachable • Child can communicate with text message & call about cancelled classes, etc.• Child can learn responsible use of a cell phone | Credit may run out | Rugged cell phone with secure protective case |
| Smartphone | from 12 | • Fun factor• Child can communicate with friends• Child can learn the responsible use of the Internet and smartphones | • Access to the Internet with content that is not age-appropriate• Danger of scammers & cost traps via app usage | • Youth protection settings• Maturity level of the child |
| Prepaid vs Abo | Age | Pros | Cons | To note |
| Prepaid | 9-12 | • Cost control• Child learns to handle money | • Credit may run out• Child may not be reachable in case of emergency• Many different offers complicate the choice | More suitable for low calls and data volumes |
| Subscription with limit | from 12 | • No monthly recharge necessary• Child is always available | Risk of cost traps when using chargeable numbers or services | • Suitable for higher usage & if Wifi is available at home• Block special numbers & chargeable services with the provider |
| Flatrate Subscription | from 12 | No surprises with bill at the end of the month | Risk of spending too much time on the smartphone | Needs clear rules & possibly control apps so cell phone use doesn’t get out of hand |
When should a child have its own cell phone?
The desire for mobile media shows in children at a very early age. But should this be fulfilled right away? After all, there’s no denying that smartphones can be quite useful for children: For example, when lessons are cancelled or in a threatening situation where the child might need help. But with a cell phone also comes the digital risks. So determining the right age for the first cell phone is not so easy. Figures can also help here for orientation.
Proportion of children with their own cell phone by age group
A survey by the ZHAW (MIKE Study 2019) shows which age groups already have their own cell phone.
• 40% of 6- to 7-year-olds
• 60% of 10-11 year olds
• 77% of 12-13 year olds
Emergency cell phone without Internet access
A young child cannot yet assess the dangers of the Internet. A smartphone is therefore not always the best solution. The alternative is an emergency cell phone without Internet access. The device allows children to make phone calls and send messages, but not to surf the Internet. Educators generally recommend such a cell phone from age 9. At this age, children are mature enough to handle the device responsibly. Parents must decide individually whether it might make sense earlier. Nevertheless, it is recommended that the child has at least some reading skills.
Children and smartphones
A smartphone is much more than just a phone. With these multifunctional devices, telephoning is in the background: you can surf the Internet, take photos, play games and much more. The Internet is available to the child at the touch of a button. For this reason, the child should first learn to deal responsibly with the online world. It should also understand the consequences of an online presence.
Educators therefore recommend not giving children their own smartphones before the age of 12. From this age, the child should have gained sufficient understanding, maturity and experience through parental support to handle a smartphone responsibly.
Safety first – parental controls
It is important to secure devices well via security settings and parental control apps – even more so if parents decide to give their child a smartphone at an early age. Protect your child from content that is not age-appropriate. Activate parental control settings on the devices the child uses – for example, the family tablet.
For cell phones, the key lock with PIN should always be active so that no one else can
so that no one else can access the cell phone if it falls into someone else’s hands. Also talk to your child about what data he or she stores about themselves and others on the cell phone. Important to know: There are apps that access the personal address book and use data for advertising purposes. Encourage your child to be careful with personal data.
Parental control through parental control apps
In addition to costs, parents sometimes also want to control how long children use their smartphones. The mobile phone usage time can be checked with a special app, for example. The following parental control apps or screen time apps are available, among others:
• Parental Supervision – Screen Time App (Android and iOS)
• Google Family Link for Parents (Android and iOS)
• Google Family Link for Kids and Teens (Android)
• Parental control app Kidslox (iOS)
• Parental Control App – FamiSafe (Android and iOS)
• OurPact – Screen Time App & Cell Phone Locations (Android and iOS)
• Qustodio parental controls (Android and iOS)
Parental control of the children’s cell phone is usually made possible by these apps by limiting the usage time. The usage time can be set, for example, by setting up a daily limit. Parental control apps also enable other control options in addition to monitoring the daily time limit. With the control apps, parents can usually also block certain apps and internet content on their children’s smartphones and filter web content.For iOS devices from Apple – for example the iPhone – there is a function in the settings with which the screen time for the children’s cell phone can be limited, for example by setting a time out. Daily limits can also be set for certain apps. In addition to other restriction options, the screen time function can be used to control who the child communicates with and at what times.
Finding the right cell phone subscription for kids
Before you scroll through the different cell phone subscriptions, you have to ask yourself one question: What does my child need the cell phone for? You can save a lot of money by choosing a subscription based on actual usage. With our subscription comparison, you can narrow down your search right away with the appropriate filters and quickly find the right cell phone subscription at a guaranteed low price.
According to a study by Telecommunication expert Ralf Beyeler, such a comparison can save parents several hundred francs. The price difference between the providers amounts to up to CHF 250 per year. According to the study, however, parents save the most on special offers. It is worth keeping an eye out for special offers, for example on Black Friday or during the Christmas period. At alao, parents can also find great and exclusive discounts all year round.
Cost trap: prepaid or cell phone subscriptions
When it comes to a cell phone subscription for kids, the main thing is to keep costs in check and avoid cost traps. Here, too, you have to clarify everything first according to individual needs. If the cell phone is only to be used for making calls, then a prepaid card may be sufficient. With the use of a prepaid card the monthly basic fees are omitted. In addition, with the help of a prepaid card, a certain amount of credit can be set in advance, which can be used for calls or data.
This also teaches the child how to manage money. They have to allocate their data credit sensibly over the course of a month, and once it has been used up for the first time, no more calls are possible. However, this does not guarantee that your child will always be reachable. A subscription, on the other hand, makes sense for higher usage and is then cheaper than prepaid. In addition, there is no need to top up the credit, which saves time. To avoid nasty surprises in the bill at the end of the month, flat-rate subscriptions are also a good option.
Flat rate subscriptions for children
If you opt for a cell phone subscription, a flat rate is probably the best option for children. This is because mobile subscriptions with per-minute rates are harder to control on the one hand, and the per-minute prices are quite high on the other. With a flat rate, you can use various services for as long as you want for a monthly fee. In addition, you don’t have to worry about your child exceeding the included services. Here, however, it is important to have steadfast rules for cell phone use. Unlimited access to all services can tempt children to spend too much time on their cell phones.
Additional costs due to special numbers
Even with mobile subscriptions with a flat rate, you should inquire with the provider about the additional costs that may result from certain special numbers and special services. If necessary, this should be blocked.
Parents can use alao to compare flat rate tariffs by selecting the “unlimited calls” option. Compare cell phone plans in two minutes and stop paying too much.
No roaming and limited data volume as a cost brake
To save money, you should only pay for the features your child really needs. For example, roaming data for abroad is not necessary unless you live close to the country’s border. Nor do they necessarily need unlimited data volume. Since children most likely use the wifi at home most of the time, a data volume of 500MB is already sufficient. At least for normal use, where the child chats a bit and watches a video now and then. However, if he or she uses streaming platforms for music and videos, then a data volume of at least 1GB makes sense.
Safety precautions with limited data volumes
Social media, video platforms and music streaming will quickly consume the data volume. So if you choose a subscription with limited data volume for the child’s cell phone, you should also adjust the smartphone settings. This includes deactivating push messages, among other things. You should also ensure that only a small selection of apps are allowed to transfer data via the mobile network.
Checklist for limited data volumes for children’s subscriptions:
✔ Deactivate push messages
✔ Deactivate data transfer of apps via the mobile network
✔ Block special numbers and special services directly with the provider
Which cell phone plans are suitable for children?
The best cell phone subscription for children is the one that is most suitable for the needs of the child in question. However, special cell phone subscription contracts for children and teenagers are available from most providers. The selection is so large that it’s easy to lose track.
Numerous comparisons have to be made to find the right subscription. You can save time by using our comparison service. On alao, parents can search specifically for cell phone subscriptions with the services they want and find them within minutes. In addition, alao offers numerous exclusive discounts and cashback promotions. So you’re sure to save on your kids’ cell phone subscription.
Take out a low-cost subscription for kids at alao
There are many exclusive offers at alao. You are sure to find the right one for your child. Use our subscription finder by simply entering the desired subscription services and we will show you the cheapest options. For example, we have the following great special offers:
Yallo Swiss – Subscription suitable for children
With the Yallo Swiss subscription, your child has access to 6 GB of high-speed data volume and unlimited calls in Switzerland. It also has no minimum contract period. This gives you the flexibility to change the subscription as soon as your child’s needs change. Exclusively at alao, the subscription is available for CHF 19.- per month instead of 48.-.
Wingo Swiss – Subscription suitable for children
The Wingo Swiss subscription offers unlimited highspeed data and unlimited calls in Switzerland. Without a minimum contract period, you remain flexible and can quickly change the subscription if necessary, so that it grows with your child. Exclusively at alao, the Wingo Swiss subscription is available for CHF 19.95 per month instead of 58.-.
Cell phone subscriptions for children by provider:
| Provider | Plan for Kids | Plan for young people | Offers |
| Swisscom | ✖ | ✔Under 30 | • “inOne mobile go young”: CHF 10.- discount on “inOne mobile go”• “inOne mobile basic young”: CHF 10.- discount on “inOne mobile basic”• “Swiss mobile flat young”: CHF 5.- discount on “Swiss mobile flat”• “Swiss mobile light young”: CHF 5.- discount on “Swiss mobile light plus” |
| Sunrise | ✖ | ✔Under 30 | “Mobile start young” for CHF 20.- per month • Unlimited WhatsApp messaging and surfing with 1.5 GB data volume at up to 50 Mbit/s within Switzerland • Unlimited SMS and MMS (within Switzerland)• Unlimited calls to the Sunrise mobile network • Unlimited calls to three numbers of your choice• All other calls for CHF 0.55/minute |
| Salt | ✖ | ✔Under 30 | “Basic Young” for CHF 24.95 per month• Unlimited calls (within Switzerland)• Unlimited SMS and MMS (within Switzerland)• 5 GB high-speed data volume included |
| Yallo | ✖ | ✖ | “yallo slim plus” for CHF 25 per month• 60 minutes of calls to all networks• Unlimited calls from yallo to yallo • 1 GB high-speed data volume includedThereafter:• 1 GB high-speed data volume per day for CHF 1.20 per day • Or, if this option is deactivated, continue surfing at 256 kbit/s without additional payment but at a lower speed |
| Wingo | ✖ | ✖ | “Fair Flat” subscription for CHF 25 per month• Unlimited calls (within Switzerland)• Unlimited SMS and MMS (within Switzerland)• 2 GB data volume (within Switzerland and in the EU/Western Europe) • Additional 1 Gigabyte can be purchased for CHF 5.Note: If you have purchased 8 GB in this way in a month, i.e. you have topped up eight times, you will continue to surf without limit during this month, but only in Switzerland. |
| UPC | ✖ | ✖ | “Swiss 1 GB” for CHF 9.90 per month• Unlimited calls (within Switzerland)• Unlimited SMS and MMS (within Switzerland)• 1 GB data volume (within Switzerland) Afterwards: continue surfing at no extra cost for 128 Kbit/s |
| Talk Talk | ✔ | ✖ | Mobile subscription “Junior” for CHF 9.95 per month • Only available for under 18s• Calls CHF 0.10/ minute (within Switzerland)• 100 minutes/ 50 SMS in the TalkTalk network • SMS for CHF 0.10 (within Switzerland) / • MMS for CHF 0.50 (within Switzerland)• 2 GB data volume (within Switzerland, EU, UK, USA, Canada, Norway, Liechtenstein and Turkey)• Minimum contract period is 12 months Mobile subscription “Young” for CHF 19.95 per month• Only available for under 18s• Unlimited calls, SMS & MMS within Switzerland• Unlimited data volume (within Switzerland, the EU, the UK, the USA, Canada, Norway, Liechtenstein and Turkey)• The minimum contract period is 12 months |
Cell phone subscription for children in comparison
In order to be able to better compare the different mobile subscriptions for children, here are the most important options you can choose between:
• Unlimited calls or tariff per minute
• Unlimited calls only in Switzerland or also to the EU or in the EU (interesting for cross-border commuters)
• Unlimited data volume or, for example, only 1.5 GB / month or 5 GB / month
• With or without data roaming in the EU (interesting for cross-border commuters)
• Network coverage of the various Swiss providers at the desired location may vary
• Swisscom, for example, requires the user to be of a minimum age, Salt and Sunrise, for example, do not
A mobile phone subscription comparison can be worthwhile, not only in terms of costs, but also in terms of network coverage, EU usage and the amount of data volume for the Internet.
Prepaid for children
Instead of ordering a mobile subscription, you can also buy a prepaid card for children without being linked to a special prepaid tariff for children. With the use of a prepaid card, there are no monthly basic fees. In addition, with the help of prepaid, a certain amount of credit can be set in advance, which can be telephoned or used for data usage.
Which prepaid card for children?
Anyone who decides against a mobile subscription and a prepaid card for children is faced with the question: which prepaid card is best for children? The following providers do not all offer special prepaid tariffs for children. A prepaid comparison between these mobile phone providers could be worthwhile when it comes to the question of suitability for children:
- Swisscom Prepaid for children
- Sunrise Prepaid
- Salt PrePay
- TalkTalk Prepaid Go
- M-Budget
Children’s cell phone models according to needs
The choice of the right cell phone model is also individual. In addition to budget, there are other factors to consider here. For one thing, the younger the child, the fewer functions the cell phone should have. For example, an emergency cell phone can do without an Internet connection. The cell phone should also be robust or at least have a suitable protective cover. The device can easily fall out of children’s hands when they are playing and should therefore be able to withstand light falls.
The most important thing, however, is that the cell phone is adapted to the needs of the child. This means that it does not always have to be the latest cell phone model. Often, the parents’ old cell phone is sufficient as the first cell phone. The child must also be able to handle the selected cell phone well.
• Children’s cell phones with easy operation
Especially with younger children, it makes sense to pay more attention to ease of use and to do without unnecessary functions. The Nokia 230, for example, could be suitable for this. The simple smartphone was mainly designed for making phone calls. Moreover, apart from the pre-installed apps, no others can be loaded onto the device.
• Robust children’s mobile phones
Of course, the child should be careful with the cell phone. But it can happen that the device slips out of the pocket while playing. In such cases it is useful if the cell phone is robust. This prevents constantly shattered displays. A good choice for this is the Xiaomi Poco X3 Pro. The smartphone is equipped with a Corning Gorilla Glass 6. Thus, it even survives drops from a height of 1.6 meters unscathed.
• Kids’ cell phones with control function
Your child wants his own smartphone, but first has to learn how to use it properly? In this case, a special children’s cell phone could be an option. These devices usually have limited functions. For example, there is the Blabloo children’s cell phone: the functions of this smartphone for children can be managed remotely by the parents via an app. Thus, the child can learn to use a smartphone and the Internet responsibly in a controlled and safe environment.
• Kids’ cell phones for the small budget
The first smartphone does not necessarily have to be a big investment. Those who want to save here will find a good alternative to the more expensive iPhones in the Wiko Y50 cell phone model. The user-friendly smartphone is comparatively small and fits perfectly in a child’s hand. You have to sacrifice camera quality, but you can get the phone for about CHF 60.
Rules of etiquette for children’s cell phones
It’s always a good idea to set some ground rules in advance about how to handle the new cell phone. Here are some examples of rules:
1. Cell phone free zones
It’s tempting to get lost in cell phone screens: Games, social media, photos and more. For this reason, it’s important to designate so-called cell phone-free zones. These don’t necessarily have to be places. Rather, these could be certain events and activities. For example, it could be decided to put the cell phone away during family celebrations, joint trips or meals. But don’t forget, dear parents: your device must also disappear. After all, you are setting an example.
2. Cell phone-free time
There should be daily times when the cell phone is not allowed to be turned on. Especially in the evening before bedtime. In addition, there is the blue LED light of the cell phone, which makes the body think it is daytime and thus prevents you from falling asleep. To guarantee undisturbed sleep, the cell phone should always be turned off at night. It is therefore generally recommended to have a cell phone-free time from about 9 p.m. until the morning.
3. Do not put private things online
A good rule of thumb is: only write, post and send things that you would also say or show publicly. Much of what is once online stays there forever. It is important that children understand this and therefore do not share anything private online.
4. Chatting ok, but only with friends
Profiles on the Internet can be easily faked. You can never tell for sure who is actually behind them. For this reason, children should only chat with their friends who they know well.
Conclusion
In conclusion, one thing can be said above all: The decision on the right cell phone and subscription for children, as well as the right time, can only be made on an individual basis. Not every child has the same maturity and not every family has the same budget. The most important thing is to know your own needs and consequently find the right product.
Quick and easy to get your perfect mobile phone subscription
alao is your happy place for mobile phone subscriptions. We show you the most popular providers at a glance – and all subscriptions guaranteed at the best price on the market. Find your perfect subscription on our comparison page and sign up online in less than 5 minutes. We activate your subscription with your new provider, cancel your old contract and take your old phone number with you – all automatically and free of charge.
If you have any questions, our support team will help you 7 days a week via live chat, email and phone.
This article was first published on 2 December 2021 and was updated on 18 November 2024.
