EE has introduced a free, customisable “P.H.O.N.E. Contract” to help parents and children agree limits on smartphone use.
The network has also introdced new under-18 mobile plans and in-store online safety appointments.
The downloadable agreement covers issues such as screen time limits, phone curfews, and situations when device use is not allowed. It also includes guidelines for children to report inappropriate or harmful online content to parents. The document is intended to be jointly completed by parents and children to encourage mutual agreement on rules.
EE developed the contract with input from the EE Youth Council,Internet Matters, broadcaster Konnie Huq (main pic), and feedback from thousands of families. Company research suggests that 93 per cent of parents row with their children about smartphone use, with screen time, late-night use, anddistraction from schoolwork among the most common sources of conflict.
The survey also found that more than half of teenagers see online scams as their biggest concern, followed by bullying and exposure to adult content. Parents cited exposure to adult material as their top worry.
The P.H.O.N.E. Contract launch coincides with EE’s new “Safer SIM” plans for under-18s. These SIM-only and pay-as-you-go options include network-level parental controls and can be used alongside device-level and app-based restrictions. The plans start at £7 for a 30-day SIM.
EE stores will also offer online safety appointments with trained staff providing guidance on parental controls and device setup. An additional online resource, “The P.H.O.N.E. Chat,” offers advice on responsible smartphone use.
The initiative comes ahead of the new school year, with EE estimating that 3.8 million families will discuss smartphone rules this summer, and 43% of parents buying handsets for their children are likely to do so in mid to late August.
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