Pre-Approved Numbers Only on a Minor Child's Phone

to start with what phone?

I am buying a new phone for a minor child.  It can be any phone that offers these features.

Phones don't offer those features.  Now you can use parental controls from google or apple you have to choose.

https://families.google.com/familylink/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=families_google&utm_term=google_parental_controls&gclid=CjwKCAjwieuGBhAsEiwA1Ly_nctOT61gFLxtLYjoeF9f-popWjM__kzH5-kXW7aacSAAn1fv4FKjcBoCq7MQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201304

Thanks for the links to parental controls!

After looking these over, it seems neither will restrict the phone call and texting numbers.  I think the carrier, ATT in our case, has control over this.

I am wondering if ATT, as my carrier, will allow me, as the account owner, to set up a phone that only allows calls/texts to and from an approved call list.

Thanks!

Wrong and wrong. iOS and Android do have this capability.

https://techcrunch.com/2019/12/10/apples-new-parental-controls-can-limit-who-kids-can-call-text-and-facetime-and-when/

Thank you for the article!

Unfortunately, I am dealing with a teen.  The question I have... is there any phone I can give my teen that will not cause an issue?

1. only approved numbers for calls/texts both in & out

2. only two apps, music & kindle

I am leaning toward a flip-phone device and an MP3 player with paper books.  Just want to be sure there are not other options.

And, I am certain this kid will find all the loopholes in parental control apps if I give them a smartphone.  Like these teens have:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/10/15/teens-find-circumventing-apples-parental-controls-is-childs-play/

How old of a teen?  And you can get around anything.  Apple has since closed those loopholes.  My sister's kid has yet to get around them and he is big into coding.

Very smart 15 year old with tech savvy friends.

Still not finding any information specifically on calls/texts only to/from an approved call list via iOS or Android parental control apps/features. 

Parental controls limit times to use the phone, but not explicitly blocking calls/texts from unapproved numbers.

So, there is one non-technology solution I can think of.

1. Set-up an expectation with my teen that only certain numbers are allowed & this will be monitored by me regularly.

2. Check online periodically with my ATT usage information for the numbers my teen calls/texts to find any unapproved numbers.

3. Deal with consequences as agreed upon with my teen.

4. Use parental control apps/features to limit smartphone features outside of basic carrier functionality like calls/texts, or not use a smartphone.... just a flip phone.