Parents want safe phones for kids. These companies answer the call.

As parents become increasingly concerned about the potential dangers of children’s unrestricted smartphone access, a growing number of companies are creating devices specifically designed for children.

Today’s kid-friendly phones often include touch screens, cameras, and communication capabilities similar to traditional smartphones. However, the software on these devices is heavily modified to remove or limit access to web browsers, social media, app stores, and other distractions.

Parents can often manage these devices with an accompanying app, allowing them to approve contacts, monitor locations, set screen time limits, select available apps, and, in some cases, receive alerts about cyberbullying, graphic content, or cyberbullies.

In addition to these modified devices, some companies offer a much smaller approach, making devices that focus only on calling and texting.

There are also home phones designed specifically for children, such as the recently launched Tin Can and Pinwheel Home.

Here’s a look at the major players making up the children’s phone market.

Bark Phone

The Bark Phone is probably one of the most popular smartphones in the kids market.

Built on Samsung Galaxy hardware and powered by Bark’s monitoring software, it only allows calls and texts with authorized contacts. Bark continuously scans texts, emails, photos, and supported apps for signs of cyberbullying, grooming, suicidal ideation, sexual content, and other potential concerns, and sends alerts to parents.

A big standout feature is that parents can gradually turn on web browsing, apps, and other features as their child grows. The phone also includes GPS tracking and screen time management.

Current prices for the standard model are $240, with the optional wireless plan starting at $29/month. Premium plans add unlimited Internet access and texting.

Gabb

Gabb is a well-known name in the kid-friendly phone segment. Unlike Bark, however, Gabb focuses less on monitoring content and more on eliminating cyber risk altogether.

Its phones don’t include social media, a browser, or an app store. Instead, kids get calls, messages, and a carefully curated selection of preloaded apps, including a camera, calendar, and calculator. The company also touts its “hassle-free” music streaming library with millions of songs.

Additionally, parents can view the location and control device-specific settings, while optional services such as “Gabb Guard” help block spam calls and unwanted texts.

Current phone prices start at around $159.99, with mobile service starting at around $24.99 per month.

Pinwheel

With Pinwheel, parents approve the entire app, manage contacts, schedule screen time, create custom routes, and monitor location history.

One outstanding feature is the ability to create different “paths” throughout the day. For example, restricting the phone from calling and roaming during school hours before opening additional features after homework.

Pinwheel phones start at about $119, while Caregiver Portal subscriptions start at $14.99 per month without cell service. (Mobile service can be purchased separately through participating carriers.)

The company recently introduced two landline phones for $68 and $79. It also offers a smartwatch for $160.

Teracube is Growing

Launching in 2022, the Teracube offers an optimized version of Android known as Thrive OS. This allows parents to approve all app downloads, filter web browsing, set specific app limits and total screen time, monitor location, and create custom routes for school or bedtime. However, because it has many traditional smartphone features, it is often recommended for older children.

Thrive currently retails for $99, with plans starting at $35 per month.

Ooma MyPhone

Unlike other products in this category, the Ooma MyPhone is not a mobile phone at all. This kid-oriented home phone is designed as a modern replacement for the traditional landline.

The service allows calls only between authorized contacts through its Trusted Circle feature, offers scheduled Quiet Hours, provides address-based 911 service, sends emergency alerts when 911 is called, and allows parents to review call records via an online portal. No apps, internet browsing, texting, or social media.

The phone costs $99.99, while the service starts at $7.99 per month.

What Can

At $100, the Tin Can resembles a landline phone with a distinctive tin design, which is the inspiration behind its name.

This device does not require a standard phone jack, but connects via Wi-Fi. Only authorized contacts can make calls, effectively blocking spam or unauthorized communications. Parents can easily manage contacts with an easy-to-use companion app.

Tin Can offers a free plan to call other Tin Can users, as well as a $9.99 per month plan that allows calls to all authorized contacts.