Feature phones all the rage as parents try to shield kids from harm
www.theregister.com

... Sales of "dumb" phones are on the rise in the UK, according to telco Virgin Media O2 (VMO2), with parents choosing them instead of smartphones to try and spare their kids from the perils of social media and instant messaging.

One of the largest mobile operators in Britain, VMO2 says it has seen sales of non-smartphones double year-on-year, with a significant spike this September, as the new school year started.

Many Reg readers will recall feature phones, which supported basic voice calling and text messages, but often lacked a touchscreen or the ability to download and run apps, and even internet access more generally. If VMO2 can be believed, these are enjoying something of a comeback as parents try to make informed choices regarding their children's online safety.

"Growing numbers of parents and carers are taking conscious decisions to provide their children with reliable non-smart phones. This surge in demand reflects how families are looking for new ways to help their children safely navigate the digital world," said the company's chief commercial officer Christian Hindennach. ...