EE has introduced SIM-only plans aimed at under-18s, alongside in-store safety support appointments and digital guidance materials for parents.
The new “Safer SIMs” plans will be available from next week and include fmobile network-level content filters, scam call protection, spend caps, and “Stay Connected Data” to allow limited access to essential apps when a data allowance is exceeded. The plans can be used with any smartphone.
Three 30-day rolling plans will be offered, starting at £7 per month and comprise:
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Protected Plan: Targeted at younger users, with strict content controls, capped speeds (0.5Mbps), and blocks on premium numbers and services.
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Guided Plan: Aimed at early teens, with moderate content controls, 3GB of data at 10Mbps, and similar usage restrictions. A PAYG version will also be available.
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Trusted Plan: Designed for older teens, with 10GB of data at 100Mbps and the same content filtering and usage protections.
The launch follows EE’s previous publication of smartphone age guidance and follows consumer research suggesting that parents feel underprepared to manage their child’s smartphone usage.
In a related move, EE is introducing 30-minute online safety appointments at over 400 of its stores whether or not they are EE customers. The appointments will provide parents and carers with device setup support, content filtering advice, and materials developed in partnership with online safety group Internet Matters.
EE staff wil configure parental controls using Apple Family Sharing or Google Family Link, in used phones which research suggests are more common than new handsets among 11-year-olds.
EE is also launching a free downloadable guide for parents called “The P.H.O.N.E Chat”, aimed at promoting conversations about smartphone use and digital responsibility. The guide was co-developed with i Internet Matters, children, and parents.
A separate educational initiative, PhoneSmart, is available as a free interactive course for families.
