ParentShield: a child-safe SIM for a first phone, from £5.99 a month

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ParentShield is a mobile network made for a child's first phone. Instead of selling handsets, it sends a SIM card (or eSIM) that goes into any unlocked phone, and the safety controls sit on the network itself, so they work on a basic button phone as well as a smartphone and can't be switched off from the handset. It's run by Engine Mobile Ltd from an office in Derby and has been a network in its own right since 2018.

Every call and text is recorded to an online portal, anonymous callers are blocked, and you can block or allow numbers instantly, set time limits for school or bedtime, and get word alerts. Two Home Numbers can always be called or texted free, even if the allowance has run out, and chargeable extras such as premium-rate numbers are switched off, so the bill can't go over the plan price. It suits parents of younger children, carers, and anyone looking after an older relative who keeps getting scam calls.

What's worth a look

Six plans from across the range, all rolling monthly contracts, with the prices shown on ParentShield's site on 16 October 2026.

Safe Stage 1100 minutes and texts, no data, on EE.£5.99 a monthView at ParentShield Safe Stage 2Unlimited calls and texts plus 2GB data.£15.99 a monthView at ParentShield Safe Stage 3Unlimited calls and texts plus 50GB data.£20.99 a monthView at ParentShield Roam Stage 1All-network SIM, 250 minutes and 250 texts.£9.99 a monthView at ParentShield Roam Stage 2All-network SIM with 500MB data.£14.99 a monthView at ParentShield Pro Stage 2For care settings: unlimited calls, 2GB data.£39.99 a monthView at ParentShield

Most families start with Safe Stage 1 at £5.99 a month: 100 minutes and 100 texts on EE, no mobile data, and every control included. When your child needs data for maps or messaging, you can move up to Safe Stage 2 without changing the SIM or number. If signal is poor where you live, the Roam Stage SIMs switch between UK networks to find the strongest one, and the Pro Stage plans are built for children's homes, foster carers and schools.

Plans with data also show the location of the last mast the phone connected to, which helps as a backup on phones without GPS tracking. For accurate tracking, ParentShield points you to Google Family Link or Apple's Family Sharing, with set-up guides on its site.

Current offers

• If someone you know already uses ParentShield, ask them for their referral link: you each get a free month.
• All plans are rolling monthly, so you can change tariff whenever you like.

How to save more

• Start small. Safe Stage 1 at £5.99 a month is enough for calls home and texting, and the phone still uses Wi-Fi at home.
• Use the Home Numbers. Calls and texts to your two chosen numbers are always free, so a small allowance goes further.
• If you're paid every four weeks, the FAQ says you can ask for 4-weekly billing with slightly smaller payments.

Products, prices and offers checked on the store's own website on 16 Oct 2026. Prices and stock can change.

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