Phone plans for kids, compared: what a first phone line really costs in 2026

2GB of data for $10 a month with taxes and fees included, and each extra Light line is $8 and shares the data. It runs on all three major networks, and you can switch your line to a different one later from the app. US Mobile lists parental controls in its app.

You pick the minutes and data: 2GB with 300 minutes is $8 a month, or 2GB with unlimited minutes is $10. Taxes are extra. It's month to month, so it's an easy way to test whether a kid really needs more.

Unlimited talk and text plus 550MB of data, paid for by ads. You'll pay $3.99 for the SIM, and taxes vary by location. It's bare-bones, but for a kid who just needs to call home after practice, it does the job.

6GB a month for $15, as long as you pay for 12 months at once ($180). It runs on T-Mobile's network. A good pick if you know your kid is a light user and you'd rather pay once a year.

You pay $20 a month for the line plus $10 for each gigabyte used, and data charges stop at 15GB. Great for a kid who's mostly on Wi-Fi; less great for one who isn't.

50GB of premium data, and it's the only big-carrier plan here that lists parental controls (T-Mobile FamilyMode). Two or three lines are $90 a month with AutoPay thanks to a 3rd-line-free bill credit, as long as you keep every line.

Unlimited data on Verizon's network, without a mobile hotspot. Verizon's per-line price drops as you add lines, so it's mainly worth it if the rest of the family is already there.

5GB of full-speed data plus 3GB of hotspot. Fine for a kid who's on Wi-Fi at home and school, and it keeps everyone on one bill.

Unlimited data plus 20GB of hotspot, taxes and fees included, no contract. Extra Unlimited lines aren't discounted, so each teen line is $25.

Unlimited data on AT&T's network with Cricket's ScamShield spam protection. Hotspot is an add-on, not included.

35GB of premium data and 8GB of hotspot. It's a web-only plan, so you'll sign up online rather than in a store.

Made for ages 9 to 14: no internet browser, no app store, no social media, with GPS location and parent-managed contacts in the MyGabb app. Plans run $24.99 to $34.99 a month on a two-year contract or $29.99 to $39.99 month to month; the phone is sold separately.

A Samsung phone with Bark's monitoring built in. The $29 Starter plan is talk and text with no browser, games or social media, and you can move up to the Advanced plans (from $39 a month) on the same phone when your kid is ready. Every plan includes a Bark Premium subscription for the family's other devices.

Plans from $24.95 to $34.95 a month with no contract, a hand-picked set of kid-friendly apps, and a filtered web browser on the top plan. The phone is sold separately.

A choice of phones from $119 to $599, an approved app list with no social media, and no browser by default. Wireless plans run about $23.75 to $29.99 a month, or you can bring your own carrier and pay $15 a month for the parent portal.

If you're already on Verizon, this is the easy one: it's $10 a month added to your account, calls up to 20 trusted contacts, and has GPS with safe-zone alerts and a school mode.

Calls and texts with up to 100 parent-approved contacts, live GPS and safe zones, on Verizon's network. The lowest monthly price needs a two-year contract, and new lines have a $30 activation fee.

Video calling with approved contacts, GPS tracking and a scheduled do-not-disturb for school. Plans start at $9.99 a month plus tax, month to month, with no activation fees.