As EE, one of the UK’s largest mobile network providers, advises parents against giving primary school-aged children their own smartphones, a nostalgic but potential solution comes to mind.

In my almost completed home decluttering project this weekend, I stumbled upon two Samsung feature phones from the early 2000s, tucked away in a cupboard for nearly 20 years. Pictured above, the Samsung SGH-S100 from 2002 (left) and the Samsung SGH-ZV10 from 2005 (right) brought back memories of a simpler time, before the iPhone arrived in 2007 to disrupt and revolutionise the mobile landscape.

But can such vintage devices still serve a purpose today, especially in light of EE’s guidance?

EE’s advice aims to improve children’s “digital wellbeing” following a surge in requests for guidance from concerned parents. The company recommends that under-11s use “non-smart” devices with limited capabilities. This approach is designed to protect children from the potential harms of excessive screen time and online exposure.

The Samsung feature phones I rediscovered are relics of a bygone era, with 2G capability and, in the case of the ZV10, 3G as well. These are the second and third generations of mobile phone networks. 2G, introduced in 1991, enabled text messages as well as voice calls. 3G, introduced in 2003, added basic Internet connectivity. Since then, we’ve had 4G and 5G; 6G is appearing, and I see reports that 7G is on the horizon.

If you happen to have such devices tucked away in a cupboard, then they might serve your immediate needs. But there are far better options you should consider.

What Do We Mean by ‘Feature Phone’?

A feature phone, also known as a dumb phone, is a type of mobile phone with fewer functions than a smartphone but more capabilities than a basic telephone, eg, your pre-digital landline. It typically does not have a touchscreen and uses a physical keyboard. Perhaps the most recognisable brand associated with 1990 to late-2000s feature phones is Nokia.

Feature phones can provide basic multimedia and, for those using 3G, Internet capabilities, along with voice calls and text messaging functionality. Adults often prefer them for their simplicity, affordability, and longer battery life than smartphones.

Is This Really a Feasible Idea?

While feature phones may seem outdated, they could serve as a solution for parents looking to limit their pre-teen children’s digital exposure. They can make phone calls and send text messages, which could be sufficient for what parents wish to enable their young children to be able to do.

However, this would be a short-term solution, especially for 3G phones, as the mobile industry in the UK intends to phase out 3G by 2025 (and 2G by 2033).

There’s a growing trend, though, especially among younger generations, to embrace simpler, less-smart phones as a way to detox from the digital world. This nostalgia-driven movement is partly fueled by a desire for a more straightforward, less complicated way of communicating. Vintage feature phones like the Samsung models I mentioned could appeal to this sentiment, offering a basic, no-frills alternative to today’s sophisticated smartphones.

More practical, though, would likely be feature phones along the lines of Nokia’s candybar format – the slab-like form that’s now the standard for all smartphones – so that they mirror the look, if not the feel, of modern smartphones. In particular, older and pre-teens kids with such phones wouldn’t look out of place among their friends.

Generally, feature phones are cheaper than smartphones, making them an attractive option for parents looking for an affordable mobile device for their pre-teen kids. In the UK, prices range from as low as £10 or even less to £100 or more, depending on the model, its condition if a used one, and whether it’s locked to a particular carrier.

Several manufacturers sell contemporary feature phones with modern features such as being able to play MP3 files and watch MP4 video even on a relatively tiny screen. These include devices made by HMD Global (which today makes Nokia-branded phones), TCL, Samsung, and others. Online marketplaces like Ebay are a good source for a wide range of modern feature phones.

Given global market projections for feature phones in the coming years and forecast growth in the UK, this potential solution could deliver the reassurance parents seek for their pre-teen children’s digital well-being.

The growing trend among Gen Z and Millennials to embrace simpler phones as a way to detox from the digital world supports the idea of using feature phones for younger children. This nostalgia-driven movement is fueled by a desire for a more straightforward, less complicated way of communicating that limits intrusions from others.

It’s worth noting that, of a handful of people I know who have gone minimalist with their digital living, not one has given up their traditional smartphones, just minimised their usage. I ventured along that path a year or so ago with a Nokia 2720 flip phone (which was not a phenomenal experience).

It Is a Feasible Option, But…

Modern feature phones, mirroring the look of smartphones, could be a practical solution for parents seeking to limit their children’s digital exposure.

They offer a feasible option for parents looking to protect their children from the potential harms of excessive screen time and online exposure.

Considering feature phones as a viable alternative gives parents the reassurance they are looking for – providing their pre-teen children with a basic, no-frills mobile device that meets their needs without exposing them to the complexities of smartphones.

But, the reality of modern life at school and home presents a significant challenge. Increasingly, curriculums, scheduling, and homework require online connections beyond simple texts, making it difficult for feature phones to be the sole mobile device for kids. Hunting and pecking on tiny fixed keys make for a dreadful user experience! The widespread use of WhatsApp by schools, pupils and parents for communication further complicates the issue.

This modern dilemma underscores the need for a balanced approach, where feature phones can be part of a broader strategy to manage the digital well-being of children, rather than a sole standalone solution.