Your Child's First Phone: Who Buys It and Who Pays the Bill?

Expenses & money All countries By The Co-Kids team · published 29 July 2026

The Device: Who Buys the Handset?

Getting that first phone—usually around age 10 to 12—is a massive milestone for your child. But for separated parents, it often triggers a logistical and financial puzzle. The first hurdle is the handset itself. A decent starter smartphone or a reliable refurbished model typically costs between $150 and $300. Who pays for this initial outlay?

There are three common ways co-parents handle the purchase:

The Equal Split: You both agree on a specific model and budget (for example, $200) and split the cost 50/50. This works best if you both agree that your child is ready for a phone.
The Sole Sponsor: One parent decides to buy the phone entirely on their own. This often happens when one parent feels strongly about the child having a phone, while the other feels it is too early. If you choose this route, the phone generally remains the child's property, but the buying parent sets the initial boundaries.
The Hand-Me-Down: Before spending hundreds of dollars, look in your drawers. An old handset from either parent is the perfect low-risk starter phone.

Tip: Start with a refurbished phone. It is much less painful when a $100 refurbished device gets dropped on the concrete than a brand-new $800 flagship model.

The Monthly Plan: Splitting the Ongoing Cost

Once the phone is in your child's hands, the ongoing costs begin. A basic talk, text, and data plan usually runs between $10 and $25 per month. While it sounds small, this is a recurring cost that will last for years.

To keep things simple, one parent should hold the contract in their name to avoid administrative confusion. The other parent can then reimburse their half of the bill. Using a shared parenting tool like Co-Kids is a great way to track these monthly phone bills and keep a clear record without having to send awkward payment reminders every single month.

If one parent is completely against the child having a phone, they may refuse to contribute to the plan. In this case, the parent who wants the phone usually covers the cost. However, keep in mind that the phone will still travel between both homes, as it is ultimately for the child’s safety and communication.

What Happens When the Phone Breaks or Gets Lost?

It is not a matter of if the phone gets damaged, but when. A cracked screen can cost anywhere from $70 to $150 to repair, and a completely lost phone means starting over from scratch. Having a clear agreement on how to handle these mishaps saves a lot of finger-pointing later.

Consider setting up these ground rules before handing over the device:

Do: Buy a sturdy, shockproof case and a tempered glass screen protector on day one. It is a $20 investment that can save you $150 later.
Do: Teach your child accountability. If they are 11 or older, you can agree that if the phone breaks due to carelessness, they must contribute a portion of their pocket money (e.g., $20 or $30) toward the repair.
Avoid: Blaming your co-parent if the phone breaks while the child is at their house. Accidents happen everywhere, and unless there was gross negligence, it is best to stick to your standard cost-splitting agreement.

Setting Shared Rules for Two Different Homes

A phone is a bridge between your two households, but it can also be a source of tension if rules differ wildly. If your child has unlimited screen time until midnight at one house, but a strict 8:00 PM curfew at the other, it creates conflict for everyone.

While you cannot control what happens under your co-parent's roof, trying to align on a few basic boundaries makes life much easier for your child. Here is a quick framework you can use to find common ground:

Rule Category	Suggested Standard	Why It Helps
Bedtime Curfew	Phones sleep in the kitchen after 8:30 PM	Prevents late-night scrolling and sleep deprivation.
App Downloads	Both parents must approve new social media apps	Keeps parental controls consistent across both homes.
Meal Times	No phones at the dinner table	Encourages face-to-face connection in both households.

Remember, the primary purpose of the phone is to keep your child safe and connected to both of their parents. Keeping the rules relatively consistent helps them transition between homes with less friction.

Frequently asked questions

What if my co-parent refuses to pay for any part of the phone?

If your co-parent is not on board, you can choose to buy the phone and pay the plan yourself. While it may feel unfair, the phone remains a vital tool for you to stay in touch with your child when they are away, making it a worthwhile investment for your peace of mind.

Should my child be allowed to bring the phone to their other parent's house if I paid for it?

Yes, it is highly recommended to let the phone travel with the child. Restricting the phone to your house defeats its purpose as a communication and safety tool, and can make your child feel caught in the middle of adult conflicts.

Who pays if the phone is lost or stolen at the other parent's house?

Unless there was clear parental neglect, it is best to treat a lost phone as a shared child expense and split the replacement cost according to your usual agreement. If you cannot agree, the parent who originally purchased the phone may need to cover the replacement.

And for expenses and the calendar, there is Co-Kids

Co-Kids is a free app built for separated parents: it reads your WhatsApp expense conversation, works out the balance at a glance, keeps the custody calendar and produces clear reports — all without an account and without sending your data to the internet.

Try the app What is co-kids.app?