In a development that will surprise absolutely no one who has ever handed a smartphone to a child and watched them morph into a tiny dopamine-seeking missile, parents are increasingly worried about unrestricted smartphone access. The tech industry, ever eager to monetize parental anxiety, has responded with a growing array of devices specifically designed for kids.
These kid-friendly phones typically pack touchscreens, cameras, and communication capabilities similar to regular smartphones, but the software is heavily modified to strip out web browsers, social media, app stores, and other distractions. Parents manage them through a companion app, approving contacts, monitoring locations, setting screen time limits, selecting available apps, and - in some cases - receiving alerts about cyberbullying, explicit content, or online predators. Because nothing says "modern parenting" like a push notification that your child is being groomed.
Some companies take a more minimalist approach, offering devices that focus solely on calling and texting. There are also home phones designed specifically for children, like Tin Can and the recently launched Pinwheel Home. Here’s a look at the major players shaping the kid-phone market.
The Bark Phone is probably one of the most popular kid-specific smartphones on the market. Built on Samsung Galaxy hardware and powered by Bark’s monitoring software, it only allows calls and texts with approved contacts. Bark continuously scans texts, emails, photos, and supported apps for signs of cyberbullying, grooming, suicidal ideation, sexual content, and other potential concerns, then sends alerts to parents. A big standout feature is that parents can gradually unlock web browsing, apps, and other features as their child matures - a digital version of slowly letting out the leash. The phone also includes GPS tracking and screen-time management. Current pricing for the standard model is $240, plus a required wireless plan beginning at $29/month. Higher-tier plans add internet access and unlimited texting.
Gabb is a well-known name in the kid-friendly phone category. Unlike Bark, however, Gabb focuses less on monitoring content and more on eliminating online risks altogether. Its phones don’t include social media, a browser, or an app store. Instead, children get calling, texting, and a carefully curated selection of preloaded apps, including a camera, calendar, and calculator. The company also touts its “worry-free” music streaming library with millions of songs. Additionally, parents can view location and manage certain device settings, while optional services such as “Gabb Guard” help block spam calls and unwanted texts. Current phone pricing starts around $159.99, with cellular service starting around $24.99 per month.
With Pinwheel, parents approve every app, control contacts, schedule screen time, create custom routines, and monitor location history. One standout feature is the ability to create different “modes” throughout the day. For example, limiting the phone to calling and navigation during school hours before unlocking additional features after homework - because even kids deserve a little post-homework doomscrolling. Pinwheel phones start around $119, while the Caregiver Portal subscription begins at $14.99 per month without cell service. (Cellular service can be purchased separately through participating carriers.) The company recently launched two landline phones for $68 and $79. It also offers a smartwatch at $160.
Launched in 2022, Teracube offers a tailored version of Android known as Thrive OS. This enables parents to approve every app download, filter web browsing, set app-specific and overall screen-time limits, monitor location, and create customized routines for school or bedtime. However, because it has more traditional smartphone features, it’s often recommended for older children. Thrive currently sells for $99, with plans starting at $35 per month.
Unlike the other products in this roundup, Ooma MyPhone isn’t a mobile phone at all. This kid-focused home phone is designed as a modern replacement for the traditional household landline. The service allows calls only between approved contacts through its Trusted Circle feature, offers scheduled Quiet Hours, provides address-based 911 service, sends emergency alerts when 911 is dialed, and lets parents review call logs through an online portal. There are no apps, internet browsing, texting, or social media - just good old-fashioned voice calls, like it’s 1995.
For $100, Tin Can resembles a landline phone with a distinctive tin can design, which is the inspiration behind its name. This device does not require a traditional phone jack, but connects via Wi-Fi. Only approved contacts can make calls, effectively preventing spam or unauthorized communications. Parents can easily manage contacts through a user-friendly companion app. Tin Can offers a free plan for calling other Tin Can users, as well as a $9.99 per month plan that allows calls to all approved contacts.
A newer entrant in the space, Waffle recently opened preorders for its screen-free devices: Waffle Home ($119), a landline phone, and Waffle Go ($169), which looks like a portable walkie-talkie or kids’ toy with three simple buttons that can only make voice calls and listen to voice notes. Parents can approve contacts via the companion app, as well as see location and control when devices can call.
TextNow, the Canadian telecommunications company, recently launched its new mobile phone for kids. It’s called Yello! and while it looks like a normal touchscreen smartphone, it doesn’t have an app store, social media, or unrestricted web access. Parents can see their kids’ location and battery life, as well as control things like the games they play and who they have in their contacts. Yello! costs $149.99 upfront, with a $19.99 per month plan.