A good question! You might also be able to pick up an older model of a phone or a “dumb” phone which doesn’t have any internet capabilities for cheaper too.

My year 7 got my old iPhone, I have him on the pre paid OVO $9.95 a month, unlimited text, $200 call and 1gb data, absolutely perfect and he gets coverage everywhere he goes.

Also; a good idea to go through phone use and responsibilities and safety with any child using a phone.

Our daughter got her first phone when she started Year 7. We bought a Telstra Tempo, smartphone, simple to use, and with a $25 casual plan.

Cheap and cheerful is the way we go in case the phone is lost or dropped. A basic phone with a basic prepaid plan for making calls and some data.