Choose the device around the child’s main activity and the household’s ability to create a separate child account and manage its controls. A tablet suits video and app use, a games console is more focused on controller-based gaming, and a smartphone is most suitable when portable communication is genuinely needed; in every case, review content, purchase, privacy and communication settings before use.
For households deciding whether a tablet or console better fits a child mainly watching videos and playing games, with content, time and purchase boundaries set before use. Ofcom and the relevant platform guidance support these setup checks.
For carers weighing portable communication against the extra account, contact, app and privacy decisions that come with a phone rather than a home-focused device. Ofcom, Apple UK and Google Account Help describe the related device and account considerations.
For households where a child will play with others or use a headset, and need to review who can communicate with the child, which games are allowed and whether chat settings are managed separately. Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo guidance highlights these platform-level controls.
Start with the child’s main activity, then choose the account and control system that the household can maintain. Device type and family settings work together; neither replaces checks inside individual games, video services and messaging apps.
Choose it when: Video, app games and a larger portable screen are the main uses at home or while travelling.
Check first: Apple and Google controls depend on the operating system, child account and app; Google Family Link cannot supervise iPhones or iPads.
Choose it when: Controller-based gaming is the priority and the household wants platform settings for games, purchases and player interaction.
Check first: Communication controls can sit separately from general console restrictions, especially for individual games and chat features.
Choose it when: The child needs portable communication as well as games and video services.
Check first: A phone combines messaging, apps and mobile access, so contacts, downloads, account recovery and privacy settings need active management.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs and relevant use |
|---|---|---|
| Match the device to the main activity | Compare screen size and portability for video and apps against controller-based gaming. Decide whether portable access is necessary or whether a home-focused device is enough. | I want the device to fit how it will actually be used, rather than trying to cover every activity equally. Ofcom reported in May 2026 that, among UK children aged 8–17 who go online, 77% used a mobile phone, 59% used a tablet and 55% used a games console. |
| Content, approvals and time limits | Check age-rated content restrictions, app or game approval requests, purchase approvals and daily or scheduled time settings. Confirm which settings apply to the specific platform and account. | I need entertainment access that can fit household routines and be reviewed as needs change. Ofcom reported that 89% of UK children aged 8–17 watched video content online and 72% played games online in May 2026. |
| Communication and contacts | Review messaging, voice chat, friend requests, privacy and game-specific chat settings separately. Check whether a headset has an accessible mute control and works with the intended device. | I want to know who the child can contact before multiplayer or voice chat is enabled. Ofcom reported that 55% of UK children aged 8–17 who played online games interacted with people they had only met online at least sometimes, while 20% said this happened frequently. |
| Separate child account | Confirm that the platform supports a child account or child family member profile, an adult organiser role and the necessary management app or compatible adult device. Review third-party services separately. | I want settings to apply to the child without sharing an adult’s purchases, information or permissions. A separate account also makes it easier to review content, purchase and communication controls as new services are added. |
Family controls commonly rely on a child account or profile linked to an adult family group. Sharing an adult account can expose adult purchases, data or permissions and may prevent the intended child settings from applying correctly.
Before purchase or handover, confirm that the household can create a separate child account, that an adult can act as organiser and that any required management app or compatible adult device is available.
Communication may be managed through the account, console, game, contact list and a separate chat feature. Nintendo notes that some general restrictions do not apply to GameChat, while Xbox and PlayStation offer separate online communication settings.
Treat voice and messaging as a separate checklist: review game, platform and account permissions, then test the child profile before allowing unsupervised use.
Google states that iPhones, iPads and non-Chromebook computers cannot be supervised with Family Link. Controls can also vary by hardware generation, account type and individual service.
Select the device and control method together. Confirm compatibility between the child device, adult management device, account type and required app before relying on app approval, time limits or location settings.
Age conditions and content restrictions do not determine every app’s data practices, contacts, recommendations or live interactions. Ofcom reports that online video and gaming are common activities for UK children.
Use age ratings and account controls as a starting point, then review the games, video services and communication features the child will actually use. Recheck settings whenever a new app, game or online feature is added.
Relevant for iPhone and iPad households using Apple Child Accounts, Family Sharing and Screen Time.
Relevant for Android tablets and smartphones using a supervised Google Account and Family Link.
Relevant for Xbox households using a family group to manage game content, purchases, privacy and multiplayer interaction.
Relevant for PlayStation households needing family management for games, playtime, online communication, privacy and spending.
Relevant for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 households wanting console and app-based playtime, age-rating and communication controls.
Joybuy tablet options for children using videos and app games, where the household should confirm the intended account, parental-control and communication setup before purchase.
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A tablet option for video, app games and learning where a larger portable screen is useful. The listing states an 11-inch Full HD display, 4GB RAM, 128GB storage, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, parent and child accounts, time limits, content filtering and parent-approved app access. Check compatibility with the household’s adult device, account type and intended apps before relying on these controls.
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A compact tablet route for videos and app games, with an 8-inch screen, Android 15, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, Wi-Fi, dual speakers and a 3.5 mm socket. The listing describes Child Lock, content control, screen-time management and filtering; verify child-account, contact, purchase and chat controls for the services the child will use. No adapter is included.
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A small tablet for supervised videos and app games, with a 7-inch IPS display, 32GB storage, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cameras and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The listing also states a drop-resistant case, 3000 mAh battery and 285 g weight. Confirm the operating system, child-account method and available content, time, purchase, contact and chat controls before buying; the listing says it is not suitable for children under 3 because of small parts.
No. Create a separate child account or child family member account where the platform provides one. Apple UK advises creating an Apple Account for the child rather than sharing an adult account, and PlayStation’s UK terms require a separate Child Family Member Account for each child; this allows age, purchase, privacy and communication settings to apply to the child.
No. Controls can restrict some content, purchases, interaction and time, but settings differ by device, platform, game and service. The Information Commissioner’s Office says the Children’s code includes protections such as high privacy by default for covered services, but families should still review new apps, contacts and features with the child.
First confirm that voice chat is needed for the specific game. Then review the child account’s communication permissions, friend or contact approvals, game-specific chat settings and whether the headset has an accessible mute control. Nintendo says some Switch communication restrictions do not apply to GameChat, which needs separate adjustment.
No. Platform account ages and consent conditions are service terms and setup requirements, not a universal suitability guarantee. Apple requires a Child Account for under-13s, Google supports parental creation and supervision for children under 13 or the applicable local age, and PlayStation’s UK terms set separate conditions for younger users; check the current terms for every service the child will use.
The Information Commissioner’s Office says the Children’s code applies to online services likely to be accessed by children and covers matters including privacy settings, data minimisation and location settings. Individual apps and services can still have different controls, so review the settings whenever the child starts using a new service.