SmartPhone Alternative For Kids
I love our cover image with the girl in the park, with a 1960’s style, clunky phone, walking in the park. I’m sure every parent wishes that such devices were the only type available for kids today. But alas, that ship has sailed. But there are phones available that will keep your kids safe.
In fact, this year, we have had several parents ask us about alternatives to smartphones for their children. Although you can make an iPhone a dumb phone, several other options help parents stay connected with their kids while minimizing the risks associated with smartphones. These devices are designed to provide basic communication features without the distractions of apps or browsers. Here are six options you can consider. The first 3 are very simple but functional phones that allow parents to communicate with their younger kids. The last three are more sophisticated – and often purchased for children in grades 8-12.
SIMPLE PHONES
1. Gabb Wireless: Gabb phones are specifically designed for kids and come without internet access or an app store. They offer essential features such as calling, texting, a calculator, calendar, and alarm.
2. Jitterbug Flip The Jitterbug Flip is a simple flip phone that offers basic calling and texting features. It has a large display, easy-to-use buttons, and an emergency SOS button for added safety. It was created for older adults, but is often used by families that want children to have a simple phone for calling and texting.
3. Nokia 3310: The Nokia 3310 is a classic feature phone that provides reliable calling and texting capabilities. It has a durable design, long battery life, and a retro appeal. This phone is reminiscent of those produced in the early days of mobile phones. However, it has a more elegant design. Much like the Jitterbug Flip, it was developed for older adults, or those that are tired of the constant hum of social media and notifications. However, it is an excellent phone for Mom and Dad to stay in contact with their child.
These devices prioritize communication and safety while limiting access to apps and browsers. They can be great options for parents who want to provide their children with a means of contact without the potential distractions and risks associated with smartphones.
Please note that I’m not endorsing any particular brand or device but providing you with some examples to explore further.
SAFE BUT MORE SOPHISTICATED PHONES
For more sophisticated options, the following three phones offer more robust options that parents and older children will appreciate.
1. Troomi is a wireless carrier that offers a smartphone for children. The phone comes with a KidSmart OS that gives parents a high degree of control over their child’s phone usage. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of the Troomi phone:
Benefits:
• Customizable: Troomi allows parents to customize the phone to their child’s needs and abilities over time. Parents can decide when their children are ready for new features, such as KidSmart apps, internet access, sending messages with photos, and more .
• Safe: Troomi offers defense-grade security and built-in safeguards to protect children from potentially harmful influences, such as pornography, predators, bullies, social media, harmful games, web browsers, and unwanted and spam callers.
• Easy to use: Troomi’s Parent Portal is designed for convenience, simplicity, and thorough control. It enables parents to manage GPS location services, phone number SafeListing, and other features with ease.
• Affordable: Troomi service plans are priced for kids and begin at just $14.95 per month for truly unlimited talk and SMS texting to the USA, Canada, and Mexico, plus texting to 190 other countries.
Negatives:
• Aggressive: Troomi’s built-in safeguards can be too aggressive for some parents’ tastes.
• Limited: Troomi’s KidSmart OS may not offer as many features as other smartphones on the market.
2. PINWHEEL: Pinwheel is a wireless carrier that offers a smartphone for children. The phone comes with a customized operating system that provides parents with a high degree of control over their child’s phone usage. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of the Pinwheel phone:
Benefits:
• Safe: Pinwheel provides strong safeguards to protect children from harm, including from predators, pornography, bullies, unwanted social media, harmful games, web browsers, and spam.
• Easy to use: Pinwheel’s Parent Portal is designed for convenience, simplicity, and thorough control. It helps parents manage their child’s GPS location services, phone number SafeListing, and other features.
• Educational: Like a few other alternative phones, Pinwheel does offer a few educational apps and games that can help children learn.
Negatives:
• Limited: Pinwheel’s customized operating system may not offer as many features as other smartphones on the market.
• Expensive: Pinwheel phones are priced higher than other phones on the market, starting at $199 .
• Mixed reviews: Pinwheel has received mixed reviews from customers, with some praising the phone’s features and others criticizing its customer service and return policies.
The Pinwheel phone is designed for parents who want to provide their children with a safe and customizable smartphone experience.
3. Bark: Bark is a wireless carrier that offers a smartphone for children. The phone has a customized operating system that gives parents a high degree of control over their child’s phone usage. Here are some of the benefits and drawbacks of the Bark phone:
Benefits:
• Flexible payment options: Bark offers flexible payment options, including monthly or one-time payments, and no contractual obligations .
• Safe: Bark offers built-in safeguards to protect children from potentially harmful influences, such as pornography, predators, bullies, social media, harmful games, web browsers, and unwanted and spam callers .
• Easy to use: Bark’s Parent Portal is designed for convenience, simplicity, and thorough control. It enables parents to manage GPS location services, phone number SafeListing, and other features with ease .
• Educational: Bark offers a range of educational apps and games that can help children learn and grow.
Negatives:
• Limited: Bark’s customized operating system may not offer as many features as other smartphones on the market.
• Expensive: Bark phones are priced higher than other phones on the market, starting at $199 .
• Mixed reviews: Bark has received mixed customer reviews, with some praising the phone’s features and others criticizing its customer service and return policies.
