Two thirds of Brits are already struggling to meet school costs while many are getting into debt to fork out for their children's phones. A study by MoneySuperMarket revealed, amid the cost-of-living crisis, 67% of parents are finding paying for their child starting school more difficult, rising to 87% in Scotland.
And nearly a quarter surveyed had used credit cards to pay for tech, like laptops and phones, for children heading to secondary school. On average, British children get their first mobile phone when they are 10 years and three months old, the research found.
Children are receiving their mobile phones in the final year of primary school in the run up to joining secondary school – just short of 11. Many are significantly younger, with around 215,556 children under the age of eight having a mobile phone, including about 16,000 three to four-year-olds. In the West Midlands, 13% of five to six-year-olds have a mobile phone.
The cost of buying a mobile phone for starting secondary school averages £206.90 for a contract and £205.30 for a pay as you go handset. On top of this, parents spend an average of £204.60 on a laptop, with the average cost of a tablet coming in slightly higher at £236.60.
When it comes to handsets, most parents buy their children a brand-new Android (30%) with 16% opting for a brand new iPhone. Only in Northern Ireland are parents more likely to splash out on a brand-new iPhone over a brand-new Android model.
Most paid with a credit card (24%) while around 12% turned to a ‘buy now pay later’ scheme, and 10% borrowed from friends or family to cover the costs of tech. Nearly a quarter of children receive a hand-me-down handset for their first phone.
More than half of children had lost or had a mobile stolen. Despite this, half of parents do not insure their child’s phone.
Jo Thornhill, money expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Getting a child ready for secondary school is expensive, especially at the moment. You want your kids to have the kit they need, and there are ways to help manage the cost.
“With an average of three sim cards per household, a family mobile plan could make financial sense for many. Insurance could seem like an unnecessary extra cost, but as we can see, accidents and thefts do happen so make sure gadgets are protected.
"Check to see if your household insurance covers items, especially when they’re taken out of the home – and compare to see if gadget insurance is a better option. If you’re using a credit card to pay for things like laptops and mobile phones, check out what 0% interest and cashback cards are available.
"They could help to spread the cost and minimise interest. Just make sure you make regular payments, so the balance is paid off by the time the 0% period ends. We’re on a mission is to help Brits save £1bn on household bills. Every small action families take can help save important cash as we navigate the cost-of-living crisis – and help make sure their kids are prepared for secondary school.”
