Middle schooler trip to China and cell phone

Question

Hi all,

Our middle schooler will be going to China for 2 weeks with their school. He doesn't have a cell phone but we are considering getting him something for just this trip. We are considering setting up one of our old phones but their battery life are pretty short (like 10 mins- 1 hr). Or getting him a cheap phone for just the trip.

I googled and didn't see much on this already. Any recs on how best to tackle this? Ideally, we would get everything set up before he leaves the US (vs having him trying to buy and set up a SIM card when in China... not sure the school would be game for that).

Our goal is that he'd have a way to communicate with classmates on the trip and with us back home, along with making payments when cash isn't accepted.

Not sure if there are other things I'm overlooking?

And this is the school's first trip, hence when why I'm asking here!

Thanks!

Answer

For a middle schooler traveling to China for two weeks, the main priorities are communication, safety, and convenience. Given that the existing old phones have very short battery life, it is not practical to rely on them for a foreign trip. Getting a basic, inexpensive phone with decent battery life is a better approach.

Here are some recommendations:

Phone choice: Consider a simple smartphone that can support messaging apps (WeChat is essential in China) and has a reliable battery. Even a budget smartphone from brands like Xiaomi, Realme, or Samsung can be sufficient for a short trip.
SIM card setup: The easiest approach is to purchase a Chinese SIM card ahead of time or arrange one through the school or a trusted provider. Some international providers also offer temporary China SIMs that can be activated before departure. Ensure the SIM supports data, calls, and texting. Prepaid SIMs can be recharged online or at local stores in China.
Communication apps: WeChat is the most widely used app in China for messaging, calls, and payments. Set it up before departure and link it to a parent’s account or a small amount of money for basic transactions. For communication with home, WhatsApp can be used via Wi-Fi, but note that some apps may require a VPN for full functionality.
Payments: Mobile payments are common in China, but most require a local bank account. Since your child is a minor, it may be simpler to give them a small amount of cash for incidental expenses or use WeChat Pay linked to your account, with strict spending limits.
Backup plan: Provide instructions for what to do if the phone is lost, damaged, or runs out of battery. This might include carrying a list of school contacts, hotel contacts, and emergency numbers.

Additional tips:

Consider a portable power bank to ensure the phone can last a full day of excursions.
Enable airplane mode or restrict data to prevent unexpected charges, while still allowing Wi-Fi usage where available.
Label the phone clearly with the child’s name and school contact info, in case it is lost.
Walk your child through using the phone and messaging apps before departure, including how to reach you and the school quickly in an emergency.

In short, getting a low-cost but functional smartphone set up with a prepaid Chinese SIM and WeChat before departure, plus a power bank and emergency plan, is the most practical and safe solution for a middle schooler traveling in China.

Middle schooler trip to China and cell phone

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