From TechCrunch · Lauren Forristal · · 2m
Kid-friendly phones gain traction as parents seek safer devices
Companies are building smartphones and home phones designed to limit children's access to social media, browsers and app stores while letting parents monitor their activity.
In brief
Companies are building smartphones and home phones designed to limit children's access to social media, browsers and app stores while letting parents monitor their activity. A growing number of companies are launching phones designed specifically for children, with restricted software and parental controls to address…
Parents push for safer phones
Parents are increasingly concerned about unrestricted smartphone access for children, prompting companies to develop devices specifically designed for kids.
How kid phones work
Kid-friendly phones have touchscreens and cameras like regular smartphones, but their software restricts access to web browsers, social media, app stores and other distractions.
Parental monitoring features
Parents manage these devices through companion apps, approving contacts, monitoring locations, setting screen time limits, selecting available apps, and receiving alerts about cyberbullying or online predators.
Minimalist alternatives
Some companies offer devices focused solely on calling and texting, while others make home phones designed specifically for children like Tin Can and Pinwheel Home.
Bark Phone: monitoring approach
Built on Samsung Galaxy hardware, the Bark Phone allows only approved contacts and scans texts, emails and photos for cyberbullying, grooming and sexual content. It costs $240 plus $29 per month minimum.
Gabb: elimination strategy
Gabb removes online risks by excluding social media, browsers and app stores entirely. Phones include calling, texting and preloaded apps. Pricing starts at $159.99 with service from $24.99 monthly.
Pinwheel: customizable modes
Pinwheel lets parents approve apps, control contacts and create different daily modes. During school hours the phone limits to calling and navigation only. Phones start at $119 with subscriptions from $14.99 monthly.
Teracube Thrive and others
Teracube Thrive uses customized Android software for older children, costing $99 with plans from $35 monthly. Ooma MyPhone is a home phone for $99.99 plus $7.99 monthly service.
Tin Can and Waffle launch
Tin Can is a Wi-Fi landline for $100 with a $9.99 monthly plan. Waffle recently opened preorders for screen-free devices: Waffle Home at $119 and Waffle Go at $169, shipping November 23.
Yello from TextNow
TextNow, a Canadian telecommunications company, launched Yello, a touchscreen phone without an app store, social media or unrestricted web access. It costs $149.99 upfront with $19.99 monthly service.
Here's the gist
A growing number of companies are launching phones designed specifically for children, with restricted software and parental controls to address parent concerns about unrestricted smartphone access.
