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Kid Friendly Communication Devices for Europe?

Posted by (Virginia) on

Excited to be headed to Europe for a six month stint in January with the family. Our elementary aged kids (10 & 8) are looking to be able to have more freedom than they have in our suburban neighborhood (e.g. popping out to the bakery, heading to the park) as European norms for children are different than here in the states. For example, Slovenian kids ride the city bus alone starting at age 8 to get to school and shops.

Obviously we'd like for the kids to be able to reach us if they get turned around or something comes up. Any suggestions about practical ways to keep them connected? Friends in the states use the GizmoWatch but that doesn't work in Europe. Open to ideas!

Posted by
9100 posts

There are lots of cheap Android phones, and second-hand/older models of Iphones that are good of children.

Posted by
4 posts

I like the phone idea. Been thinking about wearables as it seems less likely to get left or walked away from. May end up with a phone or two in the end!

Posted by
4856 posts

Unless I'm mistaken, walki-talkies purchased in the U.S. are (or were) illegal in most (if not all) European countries. Something to do with conflicting with Europe's emergency frequencies.

Posted by
8946 posts

No walkie talkies. They are not allowed. Frankly, they probably cost more than a cheap Nokia will cost. I picked up a Nokia flip phone 2 years ago for 20€ and it even takes photos!

Posted by
1782 posts

Phone is the obvious choice. Just know that it instantly opens them up to the addictive properties of the phone, and will irresistibly suck them in. You can do all the monitoring, roadblocking, parental software, taking them away at specific times that you want. But the little dopamine hits will come regardless and they are on the way.

Maybe there's some sort of very strict setting regime possible, it's just a phone, maybe text,and that's it. The second the phone becomes interesting, the roller coaster has taken its last click at the top of the rise.

Posted by
1782 posts

Yep AirTags are great if you are an iPhone user. Nothing else matches them because the network of devices with tracking turned on is huge.

Kind of pricey if you use Apple products to then buy your kids into that set of products. But probably worth it to have all the phones on the same program.

Same I think if you use Android, Android phones for the kids make everything easier.

Posted by
979 posts

A couple of observations:
- Yes we do allow children to travel unaccompanied in Europe at an early age. But it is part of the development process and it happens usually after they have been assessed as capable of doing it by parents and teachers. They are usually travelling on designated routes and there is often hidden supervision by schools or police.

- These kids also speak the local language and as I said the are travelling on routes that are well known to them
- There are laws about when children under 16 are allowed to be out unaccompanied. For instance in Switzerland they must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21 after 8:00pm

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