Home Technology for Kids These Are the Best Cell Phones for Kids (Really!) by Melissa HeckscherJanuary 24, 2022 Search more like this social mediadisneyparental controlscreen timemusicsuicidal ideationtouch screenafter schoolexplicit contenthow tomental healthmindfulnesspros and consvideo games Advertisement Trending Now Entertainment & Movies Netflix Finally Releases Trailer for Netflix Addams Family Spinoff ‘Wednesday’ Recalls 2 Million MamaRoo & RockaRoo Baby Swings Recalled after Infant Death Viral & Trending Scotland Becomes the 1st Country to Make Period Products Free Viral & Trending School’s Cell Phone Policy Goes Viral after Mom Refuses to Comply: ‘Nope’ News California Becomes 1st State to Provide Free Meals to Public School Kids Advertisement If you think you have to choose between never caving on the topic of a cell phone or letting your child tumble freely into the tech abyss—think again. Turns out, not all phones will turn your kid into social media junkies or video game addicts. Some phones will do just what they’re supposed to do, i.e., help you communicate with your child. According to a report from Digital Wellness Lab at Boston Children’s Hospital, the average age at which most kids get a cell phone is 10, with most parents reporting they got their kids a device to connect with them and keep them safe (especially when they’re away from home). The report also said that while many parents worried beforehand about a phone having negative effects, it usually did not live up to those fears (especially when the phones were filtered and supervised).But before you hand over the keys to the cellular kingdom, consider what sort of freedom you want your kids to have: Do you want them to have a phone only for calling and texting, or are you OK with a few games and apps? Do you want to be able to control the phone’s every feature—or do you just want a remote view of the action? We tried out the top options on the market; keep reading to see the pros and cons of each one below.Best Phones for Little Kids: WatchesPhone watches are great because of the obvious—they’re physically strapped onto your child’s body. That means you don’t have to worry (as much) about whether the phone will be left at school or dropped onto the ground. They’re also usually limited in features, so your kid won’t be glued to the screen all day long. And while you could shell out the nearly $500 for an Apple watch, there are less expensive options that are designed for younger wearers. These include: Verizon Gizmo Watch (Verizon) Verizon’s sleek little smartwatch is designed specifically for kids. It’s waterproof, durable and easy to navigate—plus kids will love fun (but limited) features like a step counter, exercise games and a voice changer. Pros: Parents can set up to 10 contacts that kids can call or text (and nobody outside of that list can contact your child or be contacted by your child)Has GPS location tracking and geofencing that can alert you if your child leaves a predetermined areaNo apps or internet access Has a few simple games—including a jumping game and a voice changer—but not so much that your child will be occupied with the screen for too longParent app can track child, see step count and view battery levelCheck-In button lets kids ping parents with their locationDisney edition has video calling, a camera, and a game that lets kids “interact” with their favorite Disney charactersTo-Do list helps kids stay organized and accomplish tasksCons: Must open Gizmo app to text or view texts from child (you can’t just text from your phone’s messaging screen)10 contact limit will be frustrating as child gets older and wants to call or text friendsNo keypad for texting, so child must use preset messages or send voice recordings to communicate via textCamera and video calling are only available on the Disney edition version of the watchWhen making or taking a call, the small speaker on the watch makes it hard to hear in crowded/noisy placesMay be distracting in class (since it’s strapped to your child’s arm instead of in a backpack)Cost: $100 for basic watch; $200 for Disney edition—plus $10 a month for data/ cellular coverage.Online: Verizon.com (or here for Disney edition) Gabb Wireless Gabb Watch (Gabb Wireless) Makers of the Gabb watch promise to offer “tech solutions without distractions.” That means a phone watch that lets your kid call or text 10 pre-determined contacts, plus GPS tracking to keep your child on a digital leash while they’re out in the world. Pros:No internet or apps to distract little communicatorsStep-counter helps encourage your kid to be activeParent app lets you designate “safe zones” and notifies you if child has left a zoneCan text child from outside of the parent app, meaning a designated contact doesn’t have to download the app to use texting featuresLock mode lets you lock the phone during school hours (though the emergency contact is always available)Gabb Go feature lets kids set goals (for doing chores, step count goals, etc.) and earn digital “coins” to redeem for preset rewards (which are set by parents in the app)“Digital pet” feature lets kids take care of a watch-sized “pet” in exchange for digital coins; new pets are added as kids achieve their goalsCons: 10 contact limit will be frustrating as child gets older and wants to call or text friendsNo camera (though this could be seen as a pro)No keypad for texting, so child must use preset messages or send voice recordings to communicate via textSmall speaker on the watch makes it hard to take calls in crowded/noisy placesFor some kids, it may be distracting in the classroom (since it’s on their wrist and not in a backpack)Cost: $100; Wireless contracts start at $10 monthlyOnline: Gabbwireless.com Best Internet-Free PhonesRemember the days when a phone was just a phone (you know, and not a mini computer)? Some phone-makers want to bring that era back, so you can give your child a simple phone without all the distractions. With these phones, your kid won’t be able to load TikTok if they tried: Gabb Wireless Gabb Phone (Gabb Wireless) The Gabb phone is the perfect “first phone” for kids who can handle having a phone instead of a watch (I.e., they’re not going to leave it at school or a playground the first week of using it). Sleek and straightforward, Gabb uses a modified ZTE touchscreen smartphone to give kids calling and texting capabilities without internet, gaming or social media features. Kids will love the way it looks and feels (you’d never know it wasn’t a “real phone,” says our tester); parents will love that their kids can’t do much more than use it to communicate. Pros: The simple interface offers only a few options: Calling, texting, music (you have to load it onto the phone from your computer or by texting the phone music files), FM radio, camera, calculator, voice recorder, calendar and clock (with stopwatch/ timer)Battery lasts a long time (reportedly 16 hours of talk time or 18 days on standby!)GPS location tracking with location updatesLocate Phone function plays a sound on the phone to help your child find the phone when it’s lost in your homeNo Internet, streaming video or app store The 8-megapixel camera is good for a $100 phone (though low-light photos are unimpressive)Comes pre-activated; you can start using it as soon as you turn it onCons: Parents can’t set contacts or control who calls the phone (though parents can block certain callers or calls from unidentified numbers)Parents can’t see who kids are messaging and what is being said in messages (unless they look at the call/messaging history on the phone itself) Parents can’t block the use of the phone at certain hoursKids (especially tweens and teens) may balk at the idea of a phone that doesn’t do much more than call or text Cost: $100 (plus monthly cellular contract, which starts at $18 a month)Online: Gabbwireless.com Sunbeam Wireless Daisy F1 Flip Phone (Sunbeam Wireless) 2001 called and wants its phone back. If you can get your kids on board with the retro vibe of this old-fashioned flip phone, the Daisy is a great way to give your kids a phone for the sole purpose of keeping in touch. That means, they can talk and text—but that’s about it (Note: Don’t bank on long texting conversations as the small touch screen makes it tough.). If zero-distractions is what you’re going for, it doesn’t get more basic than this. Pros:Sole talk and text features keep distractions to a minimumNo Internet access, e-mail or app store SOS button on the back of the phone can be useful in emergenciesWorks with most major carriersSmall and easy to fit in even a small pocketFolding design keeps the screen a bit more protectedCons: Your kid may flat-out refuse it because it looks like a “Grandma phone” (though watching the new Matrix movie might help)A small touch screen keyboard makes texting more difficult The 2-megapixel camera is unimpressiveExpensive for such a basic phoneCost: $195 (plus whatever your carrier charges for adding a phone line)Online: Sunbeamwireless.com Best Phone for Giving Your Kids Apps… but Not “Those Apps” Pinwheel Pinwheel Phone Billing itself as a “phone that grows up with your child,” the Pinwheel may be the best of both worlds for your little techie: It has tons of apps for your kid to peruse—but they’re only apps deemed educational or enriching by Pinwheel’s team of curators. “Using a phone as entertainment doesn’t set kids up well for success,” said Pinwheel’s “Chief Mom” Shelley Delayne. “Using it as a tool to help manage their life, using it for communication, using it to learn new skills — those benefit a kid.”That means YES to Kindle, Chess and Scratch, and NO to TikTok, Instagram and Facebook. Parents are given the control to pick and choose from the more than 250 curated apps and decide which—if any—should be available on their child’s device.Pros:Parents can add Pinwheel’s therapist-approved apps to their child’s phone as they deem appropriate (or have no apps at all!)No access to the Internet, social media or an app storeParents can monitor text and call history Parents can set time limits for phone use (such as turning it off during school hours or at bedtime)Kids will agree that the sleek design makes Pinwheel look like a “real phone”Parents must approve all contacts GPS tracking and geofencing can keep digital tabs on your child Partnered with Bark to monitor messages and e-mails for dangerous, predatory or suicidal behaviorsCons: The parental control app is a bit confusing, making it hard to quickly see what apps have been put on the device More expensive than some other options (up to $329 for the phone, plus a $15 a month Pinwheel subscription in addition to your carrier’s data/cellular fee)Older kids may still resent the fact they can’t use social media or games of their choosingSome loopholes may allow kids to get onto the internet (via links sent in e-mail, for instance)Cost: $149-$329 depending on the model you choose (plus $15 a month for Pinwheel subscription and whatever your carrier charges for an added phone line)Online: Pinwheel.com Best Phone for Older Kids Who Deserve a Little Online Freedom Cyber Dive Aqua One Are you ready to give your kids a no-holds-barred phone but still nervous about what they may say or do with that freedom? The makers of the Aqua One phone by Cyber Dive believe kids (mostly older) should be allowed to do what they want on their phones—as long as their parents have complete oversight. That means, on the Aqua One, that while parents can’t block messages or apps, they can see exactly what kids are doing on their phones at all times. “Parental control software is a band-aid solution to a massive wound. It creates a facade of safety,” said Cyber Dive CTO and co-founder Derek Jackson. “It results in children exploring on their own, figuring out ways to circumvent the controls, and being exposed to new things that they don’t know how to interpret or understand. They aren’t as ready for the firehose of information that the internet provides because of parental controls.”Jackson said that instead of controlling kids, it’s better to give parents access and teach kids mindfulness. “When a schoolmate sends your child a nude photo on Snapchat, you no longer have to worry about never finding out,” he said. “Instead, you can be the one to start the conversation with your child; not from a place of judgment, but a place of understanding and acceptance.”Pros: Parents can see all the child’s activity on the phone, including social media posts, text messages across various platforms, call history, etc.Parents can keep track of every app the child downloadsKids are given daily “mental health checks” (such as showing them emojis and asking which describes their feelings) which parents can seeParents will receive alerts regarding concerning activity (sexual content, suicidal ideation, predatory behavior, etc.)Parents are given a list of frequently-used words, which can help in better understanding their kids GPS location trackingParents can be armed with information to have honest discussions with their kidsKids may be less likely to post offensive or questionable content since they know Mom or Dad is watchingThe phone—and future phone replacements—are freeCons: While the phone is free, the $69 subscription is expensiveMay not prevent online addition or help develop healthy phone habitsParents may be torn as to how to handle what they see—and still allow the unlimited phone accessKids may feel like they’re being “spied on” when parents see private messages or content (though this should be understood and discussed from the beginning)Parents can’t pause internet or set time limits/ bedtime etc.Cost: The phone is free; $69 per month subscriptionOnline: Cyberdive.co/aqua-one Troomi Wirless Troomi Wireless Parents have the control with this phone that is perfect for kids dipping their toes in for the first time. Troomie uses real phones with locked down features that include the pre-loaded KidSmart OS that can be controlled through the Troomi Parent Portal.Geared towards nine to 12 year-olds, the Samsung phones are meant to grow with your budding tween and prepare them to responsibly use them as they mature. They offer military grade security, no social media apps or addictive games.Pros:Use Troomi SafeListing™ to eliminate unwanted calls and textsOpt for text-only messages or enable picture texting and group chatsNo app store on the phone, but parents can add through the Parent PortalCompletely remove the internet, or introduce it using the KidSmart browserMost apps only work on WifiCons:Purchasing the phone is expensiveOlder kids may not like the fact that they cannot use traditional appsThe phones can be large and bulkyCost: $180 for the phone, with monthly plans starting at $15Online: troomi.com If You Want to Give Your Kid Your Old Phone Bark Using Parental Control Apps Do you have an old phone your kid is dying to inherit? Ready to upgrade your iPhone and want to give your child your current device? You don’t have to buy a new phone to keep your kid safe online. There is a multitude of phone/message filtering apps and devices to choose from—whether you want to block particular apps, read your kids’ text messages or pause the internet when your kid wants to play Roblox after school instead of doing homework. Here are our favorite apps and devices:Bark – Bark monitors texts, emails, YouTube and 24+ different social media platforms for signs of potential issues like cyberbullying, adult content, online predators, drug use, self-harm, depression and suicidal ideation—and will notify you immediately if any of these are detected. It also allows you to block apps that you don’t want your child using or set particular times they can use them. Available at bark.us for $9 per month.Circle Home Plus – An external device that attaches to your router and lets you set screen time limits, pause the Internet, and filter content across every device in your home. You can also set a “Safe Search” and “YouTube restricted” mode that keeps explicit content off your child’s devices. Want to reward your child with screen time? There’s a “By Reward Only” feature that’ll give your child more time or app play when you deem it as “earned.”Available for $129 (purchase includes 1-year, then $9.99/month after the first year) at meetcircle.comScreentime for iPhone – Available on all iPhones, Screentime can block apps or websites you don’t want your child to visit and set bedtimes or “downtime” hours. You have to do this from the device itself, but it’s password-protected, so kids won’t be able to change the settings unless they see you tapping the code.Google Family Link – For Android or Google phones, Family Link lets you view app activity, set screen time limits, filter specific websites and get reports showing how much time kids are spending on their favorite apps (and what time of day they’re doing it). You can also block apps your child wants to download from the Google Play Store, as well as block in-app purchases. Available on all Android devices for free. For more information, click here. —Melissa HeckscherFeatured image: iStock RELATED STORIES:The Very Best Services & Apps for Parental Control Voices: Should I Get My Kid a Smartphone? Voices: You Want a Cell Phone: Here Are My 5 Non-Negotiable Rules Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)Click to share on Copy (Opens in new window) Search more like this social mediadisneyparental controlscreen timemusicsuicidal ideationtouch screenafter schoolexplicit contenthow tomental healthmindfulnesspros and consvideo games Welcome to our Tinybeans family! Be sure to check your email for new activities, recipes and parenting hacks – and to see if you’ve won! Do you have a dog or cat? Select YES below and click submit to start receiving FREE pet ideas and inspiration, news about new pet products, exclusive offers and limited-time promotions. Yes, I have a pet! Submit GET READY FOR SUMMER! Enter to Win a $250 Gift Card! Enter your email and zip code below for a chance to win a Mastercard Gift Card. We’ll pick one winner per month through August 31, 2022 – 5 lucky winners in all! email zip_code campaign_name Enter Now! I agree to the official rules and to receive email communications from Tinybeans. By providing my email address, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience possible. Accepting the use of cookies enables important site functionality including personalization and analytics. Accept Decline Create an account to save this content on Tinybeans Choose how you would like to sign up. Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google or Continue with Email By signing up, you agree to Tinybeans Terms of Service and acknowledge you have read and agreed to our Privacy Policy. Sign in to your Tinybeans account Don’t have any account? Create an account here. Forgot your password? Reset it here. Sign In or Continue with Apple Continue with Facebook Continue with Google Personalized recommendations Tinybeans uses personal information to share useful recommendations and ideas for your family. This may include your previous activity, family profile and your hometown. Tinybeans keeps your data safe and does not sell personal information to any third party. Learn more about your privacy and location choices. Close
Entertainment & Movies Netflix Finally Releases Trailer for Netflix Addams Family Spinoff ‘Wednesday’