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Companies offer children phones with parental controls and limited features
Companies are offering phones designed to give children ways to communicate while limiting exposure to online risks and distractions. The devices range from modified smartphones with parental controls and monitoring to simpler phones focused on calls and texts, reflecting parents’ concerns about unrestricted smartphone access.
Bark scans messages and other supported content for potential concerns and lets parents gradually unlock features; its phone costs $240, with plans from $29 a month. Gabb removes browsers and social media, with phones from about $159.99 and service from $24.99 monthly. Pinwheel offers app approvals and daily modes, with phones from $119 and a portal subscription from $14.99 monthly; Teracube’s Thrive starts at $99, with plans from $35 monthly. Pinwheel has also launched home phones, while Ooma MyPhone is another home-based option; the article text ends before giving Ooma’s full feature details.
In short
- Kid-focused phones limit apps, web access or online risks.
- Parental controls can manage contacts, screen time and location.
- Prices and monthly costs vary across the options.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Phones with limited features can give children a way to contact family and friends while reducing exposure to online risks, social media and distraction. Parental controls, approved apps and staged access may help families introduce technology gradually and set boundaries suited to a child’s age and needs.
The case against
Restricted phones and monitoring can limit children’s independence and privacy, and may leave them less prepared to navigate the digital services they will eventually encounter. Their upfront and recurring costs can also be a burden, while controls may offer parents a sense of security without eliminating online risks.
Read the full article at the source →
Originally published by TechCrunch as “Parents want safer phones for kids. These companies are answering the call.”.