Connect your family while keeping them protected, with the best set of parental controls of any major UK network*, alongside device protection, expert help and advice.
Though the summer holidays are still in full swing, many parents are already beginning to think about the new school year.
Thankfully, as term time approaches, Vodafone has a range of resources and offers available to help parents and their children remain both connected and protected.
1. Parental help and advice
Whether it’s their first phone or simply a new upgrade, choosing a handset for your child is an important, but often difficult, decision to make.
Fortunately, Vodafone UK’s ‘Help me Choose’ tool is on hand to help parents pick the perfect phone for each family member. Simply answer a short series of questions – including which features and safety tools matter most to you and your child – and the tool will suggest a phone and plan that’s suits both of your needs.
Back to the feature: Two thirds of parents would opt for feature phone for their child
New Vodafone research shows 67% of UK parents would prefer their child’s first device to be a basic feature phone without apps.
One option, for example, is a basic feature phone. These ‘non-smart’ phones often don’t have internet browsers or the ability to download apps, providing only the most essential functions, such as texting or calling.
Alternatively, the latest tablets can be a great choice for slightly older schoolkids who need internet access to help with their homework.
Regardless of the choice made, Vodafone’s Lifetime Service Promise sees every device come with Battery Refresh and Lifetime Warranty at no extra cost, meaning phones last longer.
Plus, mobile insurance options are priced from just £2 per month, with insurance also available across smartwatches, tablets and laptops.
Meanwhile, Vodafone’s longstanding Digital Parenting hub includes a range of tools and resources, developed in partnership with the NSPCC, to help families build healthy digital habits.
2. Child safety features
However, just because a child has access to the internet, that doesn’t mean they can’t also be protected from online harms.
Every new mobile line comes with three months of Vodafone’s all-in-one digital security service, Secure Net Mobile, included**, which helps keep the whole family safe when using the Vodafone network.
The service gives parents powerful tools to manage what their children see and do online, with features including customisable content filters, bedtime settings and digital downtime controls.
Vodafone spotlights the top digital challenges young people may face over the summer holidays
Almost all (95%) parents are having open and honest conversations with their children about device use, yet 65% still worry more about screen time during the school holidays. To help, Vodafone and Digital Awareness UK share 30 digital challenges – plus practical advice – to help families stay safe this summer.
Alongside this, Secure Net Home offers hassle-free security and advanced parental controls on up to 128 connected devices in the home – exclusively on Pro Broadband.
Better yet, later this summer, Vodafone will be introducing a major update to Secure Net, combining its mobile and broadband protection into a single, simple-to-use experience.
In turn, becoming the first major UK network to offer parents exactly what they need to protect their children at home or on the go, all from one place.
3. Back to school phone deals
Finally, because the back-to-school period can be a costly time, Vodafone has introduced some great savings on a range of its phones and plans, including:
New Handsets – Pay Monthly
Google Pixel 9
Save up to £982. £35 per month (p/m)***, £20 upfront. 36m plan – Device (£14 p/m) + 256GB Airtime (£21 p/m).
iPhone 16 Pro
Save up to £252. £60.50 p/m***, £50 upfront. 36m plan – Device (£29.50 p/m + 256GB Airtime (£32 p/m).
Refurbished Handsets – Pay Monthly
iPhone 14 Pro
Save up to £252. £47 p/m***, £20 upfront. 36m plan – Device (£15 p/m) + 128GB Airtime (£32 p/m).
iPhone 15
Save up to £252. £47 p/m***, £20 upfront. 36m plan – Device (£15 p/m) + 128GB Airtime (£32 p/m).
Helping families navigate 30 common digital risks during the school holidays
With the school summer holidays in full swing, family routines are shifting. For many, that can naturally lead to more screen time. In fact, Vodafone UK’s latest research reveals a 42% increase in unstructured online time during the holidays compared to term time.
Tablets and smartwatches – Pay Monthly
Samsung Galaxy Tab A9+
Save up to £198. £9.50 p/m, £10 upfront. 24m plan – Device (£5.50 p/m) + Connectivity (£4 p/m).
Apple Watch Ultra 2
Save up to £367. £21 p/m***, £30 upfront. 24m plan – Watch (£17.50 p/m) + Connectivity (£3.50 p/m).
Keep up with the latest news and advice from Vodafone UK by visiting the new, easy-to-navigate family hub. And stay up to date with the latest news from VodafoneThree by following us on LinkedIn and Twitter/X.
* Vodafone’s Secure Net offers the largest range of parental controls features across mobile and broadband compared with other major providers as of 9 July 2025.
** Secure Net: The Secure Net trial is available to new Secure Net customers only. When the trial has finished, the Secure Net service will continue to run (“Auto-Renew”) at £1,30 per month until it is cancelled by the customer. You can cancel your Secure Net subscription at any time. To cancel, use the My Vodafone app or log in to My Vodafone. For full terms and conditions, visit our Secure Net terms and conditions: Secure Net Privacy Statement.
Secure Net Home is available at no additional cost to new and existing Pro II customers only. Secure Net Home must be activated through the Vodafone Broadband app (for Android 6 or iOS 13 or later). You can deactivate Secure Net Home in the Secure Net app (for Android 9 and iOS 14 or later) or via the Secure Net portal. For full terms and conditions, visit: Secure Net | Vodafone Secure Net Home Terms and Conditions | Secure Net Home Privacy Statement from Vodafone
*** Annual Price Increase: During your minimum period, each year, on 1 April, your monthly plan charge will increase as follows:
– £1.80 for Pay Monthly Airtime and Data plans
– £1.00 for Pay Monthly Basics plans
– £3.00 for Home Broadband and GigaCube plans
Out of bundle charges will increase each April by Consumer Price Index rate published in January of that year + 3.9%.
