As autumn creeps in and classes begin again, some parents are starting to think about their child's first cellphone. For safety and basic communication, first phones represent an important decision -- they need to be safe, easy-to-use and reliable.
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Prepaid or pay-as-you-go plans are key. In addition to major carriers, companies like Virgin Mobile and Boost Mobile specialize in prepaid, no-contract plans, which are ideal (and cheap) options if you're just looking to stay in touch.
We rounded up the seven best cellphones for kids who need basic communication with their loved ones. Flip through the gallery and let us know your favorites in the comments below.