Given the increasing evidence for negative mental health impacts on kids with mobile phones. Are there any recommendations for ‘dumb’ phones which work on the 4G or later networks (3G will be killed off soon).
EDIT: looking for:
https://www.parents.com/study-says-kids-under-13-shouldnt-have-smartphones-11779743
I would look at the Nokias:
https://www.galaxus.ch/en/s1/product/nokia-2660-flip-280-030-mpx-4g-feature-phones-32878898
Though HMD have improved it a bit; look up HMD 2660 Flip
I had an Emporia flip-phone for a good while, semi-dumb, no touchscreen, bought in maybe 2021 at Migros for 50 or thereabouts. Semi-dumb because it had whatsapp and browser pre-installed, but didn’t allow for additional apps to be installed (and I never updated or used the two mentioned). I guess you can get phones that don’t allow any apps at all.
What I liked most was its runtime of about two weeks on standby.
I’d buy similar again if I wanted a dumb one.
Unfortunately, some of the HMD/Nokia phones seem to have a browser and snake games etc. which I would like to avoid. As you mention, the battery life is great.
The other alternative is to get an android phone and lock it down, but these are more expensive and also have poor battery life.
Doro (Leva L20/L30)
• No internet: Most Doro models (like the Leva series) have no web browser or data option.
• Features: Flips open, large buttons, simple interface. Great accessibility features.
• Extras: Some basic features, like torch and alarm, but no browser.
• Availability: Very common in Switzerland at retailers like Digitec, Interdiscount, and MediaMarkt
Give them at least the snake game…no harm in that! Better than Fortnite, GTA, etc…
I recall that ‘games’ are on computers to teach the users how to use the device. Solitaire, for example, teaches PC users how to use the mouse.
Oh dear, my workmate tried to learn how to use the mouse for about 10 years and when he left he still hadn’t learnt it. 
I was gonn put a link to MediaMarkt for PhilMCR but I see he already got good answers.
I‘d try getting a somewhat recent iPhone and locking it down with parental controls.
They are pretty bullet proof.
Really? I used to work in a school (albeit this was a while ago), and pretty much every phone control was bypassed. Have things changed recently?
I mean, check: https://www.reddit.com/r/parentalcontrols/
and you’ll see literally hundreds of kids who ask (and provide) advice on bypassing parental controls…
No snake on the Nokia 105.
The younger ones nowadays prefer a watch to a phone.
The TCL watches with SIM card, eg at Swisscom come with a 9.90 chf /month quite cheap as obviously aimed for children.
Unlimited calls (child can call and receive calls), no internet apps or browser and decent autonomy (2 days). Oh, and have GPS for the parents to track, if needed.
Might be counterintuitive, but what about a phone for seniors? Those are usually stripped down so they don’t overwhelm the user with too many bells and whistles.
Otherwise, there are still some semi-smart flip phones too. They have wifi but none of the usual apps. It also makes texting MUCH more laborious, so one reserves it for rare occasions. Just for your kid to type “Can I stay at Fritz’s house tonight?” would require a LOT of keystrokes. According to ChatGPT, including punctuation, it would require at least 79 keystrokes, which would keep your child busy for quite a while.
What? No dictation?
My son has Time Limit, Google Family Link and an Apple control app (forgot the name) on different devices and haven’t figure out how to bypass any of them.
you actually think the young generations still texts like that? Full sentences? They have a whole new language and as I see it they need about one letter for 2-3 words - that is if it’s not covered with some fruit or gesture emoijs.
Your sentence would be something like “home 
Fritz 
”
Especially kids in Switzerland, who write in Swiss German, that has no writing rules at all.
Yah?
Swiss French texting by kids often includes many French SMS slang and abbreviations similar to those used in France but also reflect some Swiss local usage. Here are commonly used shortcuts and acronyms popular among young French-speaking Swiss when texting:
• MDR = “mort de rire” (dying of laughter), similar to LOL
• EXPDR = “explosé de rire” (literally, exploded with laughter), like ROFL
• A+ or ++ = “à plus tard” (see you later)
• 12C4 = “un de ces quatre” (one of these days)
• JTM or Je t’M = “je t’aime” (I love you)
• Slt = “salut” (hi)
• Cc = “coucou” (hey)
• STP = “s’il te plaît” (please)
• Dsl = “désolé” (sorry)
• Pk = “pourquoi” (why)
• GG = “good game” but also used like “well done”
• Tf1 = “t’es fini” (you’re done) often joking or teasing
• TG = “ta gueule” (shut up), quite informal or rude
• Osef = “on s’en fout” (we don’t care)
• OkLM = “au calme” (chill, no stress)
• Bcp = “beaucoup” (a lot)
• ASV = “âge, sexe, ville” (age, sex, city), used to ask personal info in chat
Good. It will train them to call and talk to people instead of texting all the time!
As I said, not even one letter for three words 
It’s a whole new language, how am I supposed to understand this see you later??