Hand Your Phone to the Kids Without Handing Over Your Data

Picture this: you’re lounging by the pool, sunbathing on the beach, or enjoying dinner at a nice restaurant. Your child is growing restless. They’re asking for a game, a video, or anything that’ll help them pass the time.  Their tablet is out of battery, so what can you do? Is handing over your own phone really a good idea? It seems harmless. It’s not like you’re giving your phone to a stranger – you’re giving it to your own child. 

*This is a collaborative post

However, it does come with notable risks. Your personal details, banking information, and shopping accounts are all on your device.  Handing over your phone could be dangerous – but not if you prepare first. 

 What’s at Risk? 

According to an Ofcom report from 2025, 19% of three to five-year-olds have their own mobile phone. Tech savviness among young children is clearly common, so what’s the risk of your child borrowing your phone? 

While some children can work their way around a phone, others can’t. Accidental taps, curiosity, and a general lack of understanding can lead them beyond the game you intended them to play. 

Within a few swipes, your child can open your email inbox, access shopping apps, and delete important messages. They could even change your passwords and lock you out of vital apps. 

Travel can make these risks even greater. You rely on your phone for boarding passes, hotel bookings, and travel insurance details. Imagine finding yourself locked out of your airline app just as you’re about to board the flight? 

How to Protect Your Phone’s Data From Your Child 

Despite the risks, you can still let your child borrow your phone. You just need to carry out a phone safety check before handing it over. 

Use Guided Access or App Pinning 

If you’ve got an iPhone, you can use Guided Access to lock your phone to a single app. It prevents your child from exiting the app, entering another app, or changing your settings. 

If you’ve got an Android phone, you can use App Pinning, which functions similarly. 

Secure Your Accounts 

Log out of all accounts you don’t currently need access to. 

You’re probably automatically logged into countless apps for no reason. While it provides quick access, it is unnecessary if you’re not regularly using the app. These apps may include sensitive information that your child could access. 

Additionally, you should activate biometric and two-factor authentication settings for your most important apps. 

Install a VPN 

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) is a tool that can keep your child safe when using your phone. 

Top-rated mobile VPN products often come with protection features that can identify malicious websites, downloads, and links. 

If your child accesses the internet, the VPN will make it less likely they’ll click on anything dangerous. It will also prevent them from accidentally downloading malware or anything else that could compromise your device. 

Organise Apps Into Different Folders 

Splitting apps up into folders keeps things organised –  it also helps your child stick to specific apps. 

Banking apps, investment portfolios, and other financial-related apps should be in one folder. All your work-related tools should be in another. 

You could also create a folder featuring only child-friendly apps. If everything your child wants is in one place, they’re less likely to explore other areas of your phone. 

Disable In-App Purchases 

Nearly one in three parents says that their child has made an online purchase without permission. Accidental purchases can quickly add up, leaving you with unexpected charges and the hassle of requesting refunds. 

Even with Guided Access activated, your child may still see prompts to complete an online purchase. 

Some games require payments to reach a certain level. Your child may encounter a random pop-up asking them to make a purchase. They may click ‘Buy Now’ without realising what it is or understanding that it involves real money. 

If you have an iPhone, you can turn off in-app purchases altogether via Screen Time. 

If you have an Android, you can change your settings to always require a password or biometric verification for purchases. 

Share Your Phone Safely 

Handing over your phone shouldn’t mean risking your personal data. By taking a few precautions, your child can safely use your device. Features such as Guided Access and App Pinning can restrict your child’s usage to only gaming or entertainment apps. A VPN can prevent them from clicking on anything malicious, and you can disable in-app purchases to prevent spending.