US — TechCrunch
Parents want safer phones for kids. These companies are answering the call.
Devices2 min read
More companies are making phones built for kids. These phones look like regular smartphones but block most of the risky parts, like web browsers and social media. Parents control them with an app.
Phones made for kids
Parents are worried about children having unlimited access to smartphones. Some companies now make kid-friendly phones. They have touchscreens, cameras, and calling, but the software is changed to remove browsers, social media, and app stores. Parents manage the phones with a companion app. They can approve contacts, track location, set screen time limits, and choose apps. Some phones also send alerts about cyberbullying, explicit content, or online predators. Other companies make very simple phones that only call and text. There are also kid home phones, such as Tin Can and the new Pinwheel Home.
Key prices and plans
- Bark Phone: $240 for the standard model, plus a wireless plan from $29 per month.
- Gabb: phones start around $159.99, with cell service from about $24.99 per month.
- Pinwheel: phones start around $119. The Caregiver Portal costs from $14.99 per month without cell service. Two landline phones cost $68 and $79. A smartwatch costs $160.
- Teracube Thrive: $99, with plans from $35 per month.
- Ooma MyPhone: a kid-focused home phone that replaces a traditional landline. It allows calls only between approved contacts.
The main players
The Bark Phone is built on Samsung Galaxy hardware. Bark's software scans texts, emails, photos, and apps for signs of cyberbullying, grooming, and other dangers, then alerts parents. Gabb takes a different path. It removes social media, a browser, and an app store, and offers a set of preloaded apps. Pinwheel lets parents set up daily modes, such as calls and navigation only during school. Teracube Thrive uses a custom version of Android and is often recommended for older children because it has more regular smartphone features.
Why it matters
Many parents want a phone that lets their child stay in touch without the risks of the open internet. These products show a clear market for safer devices. Each one makes a different trade-off between control and freedom. Parents need to compare features, prices, and monthly costs before they choose.
What to watch
- Whether more kid phones add monitoring features like Bark's alerts.
- Whether prices for monthly plans stay the same or go up.
- How well new home phones, like Pinwheel Home, work for families.
- Whether children find these phones useful or try to get around the limits.
Glossary
- Bark Phone
- A kid's smartphone that only allows approved calls and texts, and sends parents alerts about possible dangers.
- Gabb
- A company that makes kid phones with no social media, browser, or app store.
- Pinwheel
- A company that makes kid phones and home phones. Parents set rules, app access, and screen time.
- Teracube Thrive
- A kid-focused phone that runs a custom version of Android called Thrive OS.
- Ooma MyPhone
- A kid-focused home phone that replaces a traditional landline and allows calls only with approved contacts.