There are a lot of decisions a parent has to make regarding phones and a kid. What age is appropriate to give a kid a phone? What kind of phone should you buy? Are there kid-specific plans? What about parental controls? 

While I won't address all of those concerns in the list below, I can empathize with the situation. Two out of my three children have reached the age my wife and I felt like we needed to have a way to stay in contact with them throughout the day at school, during sports practices and when they're at a friend's house.

Below you'll find five of my top picks for a phone for your kid(s). Well, technically four phones and a smartwatch that acts as a phone.

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