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One of the earliest life lessons we learn is to look both ways before crossing the street. Almost as soon as we could walk, our parents saw the need to protect us from the dangers of oncoming traffic.
They held our hands, reminded us to stop and check for cars, and only let us cross when they knew we were safe. Over time, that lesson became second nature — we learned to navigate roads with confidence, knowing when to step forward and when to wait.
What’s interesting is that this common safety skill is relatively new to the human family. It wasn’t until the late 1920s that cars became commonplace and stepping into the street without a good look suddenly became a real danger.
Parents had to teach their children an entirely new kind of safety — one that wasn’t necessary just a generation before. And not everyone agreed on the best approach.
Some parents held their kids back, fearing the risks. Others let their children learn by trial and error. Eventually, society settled on simple, universal safety rules: crosswalks, stoplights, and that ever-important habit of looking both ways.
While most of us have a hard time imagining a world without cars, protecting our kids from new forms of traffic is actually one thing we have in common with parents from the early decades of the 20th century.
The traffic we worry about today is digital, but no less dangerous — the internet is an ever-busy highway of information, entertainment, and communication, and our kids will need to cross it. In fact, over 60% of children in the United States already owned their own cell phone as of 2024. But unlike roads, there is no one-size-fits-all solution like “look both ways before crossing the street.”
Kid Safe Cell Phones
One of today’s trickiest parenting challenges is knowing when to give a child personal access to the internet through their own cell phone.
Pew Research Center found that 73% of parents think a child should be at least 12-years-old before having their own smartphone. But that means more than a quarter of parents disagree.
Unfortunately, these disagreements can affect your children’s relationships — and your own. A recent study revealed that around one-third of parents restrict their children’s friendships based on differing screen time regulations. Additionally, 40% of parents admit to judging other families’ screen time rules, while 45% feel judged for their own.
Even within the group that sees age 12 as an acceptable starting point, opinions vary widely on the exact right age.
The right age will depend on your child. But just as you taught your kid to look both ways before crossing the street, you want to be confident your child is armed with some basic digital literacy before you give them tools to roam online without you.
Digital Safety Tips
As kids begin using digital devices, they need more than just restrictions — they need the right knowledge and habits to navigate online safely. Here are some key areas to focus on:
1. Digital Literacy: Essential Skills for Online Safety
Before they have full internet access, kids should understand:
- How to fact-check sources and recognize misinformation.
- The importance of keeping personal details private.
- The difference between real friends and online strangers.
- How to handle online disagreements with kindness and respect.
2. Common Online Risks and How to Discuss Them
It’s important to talk to your child about:
- Cyberbullying: What it looks like, how to report it, and when to ask for help.
- Phishing Scams: How to spot fake emails, messages, or links designed to steal personal information.
- Inappropriate Content: What to do if they stumble across something unsafe.
- Oversharing: Why sharing too much online can be dangerous.
Encourage open conversations and remind them that they can always come to you with questions or concerns.
3. Setting Screen Time Limits
Every family is different, but here are some real-life strategies parents find helpful:
- Create “Tech-Free Zones”: No phones at the dinner table or during family time.
- Set Scheduled Breaks: Limit entertainment screen time while allowing flexibility for schoolwork.
- Use an Alarm Clock: Swapping out a phone for an alarm clock at night can be a game-changer. Without notifications or the temptation to scroll, kids sleep better—and parents stress less about late-night screen use.
- Try the “Earning Tech” Approach: Reward responsibility with extra screen time or app access.
Using parental controls can help reinforce these habits, but modeling healthy screen use yourself is just as important.
Knowing when the right time is to give mobile phones to kids is the reason Gabb was started in the first place.
Gabb’s first innovation, the Gabb Phone Z1, was specifically created to give parents a non-internet, safe phone option that does more and looks cooler than something like a Light Phone or an old-school flip phone (so your kids actually want it). The latest evolutions of that — Gabb Phone and Gabb Phone Pro — come from the same conviction that parents deserve better options when it comes to helping their kids learn Tech in Steps.
You know your child better than anyone. Consider their maturity level to decide when to give them full access to the internet.
For example:
- Your child’s grades at school might suggest how well they’re able to prioritize and manage time.
- Whether they hold a job or commit to extracurricular activities might show you something about their level of responsibility.
- What are your child’s sleep habits? Smartphone usage can negatively impact your child’s sleep, causing health problems.
The list goes on. If you’re in the thick of this right now then you might want to check out our full Parents Guide for help as you make this decision.
Readiness Checklist: Is Your Child Ready for Internet Access?
Before handing your child a phone with internet access, ask yourself these questions:
✅ Can they follow household screen time rules without constant reminders?
✅ Do they understand online privacy and know not to share personal information?
✅ Have they demonstrated responsible behavior with other technology (e.g., tablets, gaming devices)?
✅ Do they know how to recognize and respond to online risks like scams, inappropriate content, or cyberbullying?
✅ Are they open to discussing their online activity with you?
If you answered “no” to several of these, your child might not be ready for full internet access yet. Consider starting with a safer, step-by-step approach like Gabb’s Tech in Steps.
If you’ve decided your child is ready for an internet-enabled smartphone then be sure to explore the parental controls available on your selected device. It will be important to help them balance their smartphone habits to limit the chance of excessive screen time and negate the dangers of social media, among other concerns.
If you feel like your child might not be quite ready for social media or an internet browser on their personal device, Gabb has got you covered.
Gabb devices were designed specifically to help you guide your child as they take steps from “no tech” to “full tech.”
Tech in Steps: A Gradual, Safe Approach to Internet Access
Our Tech in Steps approach aligns technology with kids’ developmental stages, so they gain independence at the right pace. Instead of giving kids immediate access to the internet and social media, Tech in Steps offers thoughtful solutions tailored to their needs as they grow.
Gabb Devices: Designed for Every Stage
Each Gabb device is built to provide kids with the right level of technology for their age and maturity:
- Gabb Watch – The first step into kid-safe tech, with GPS tracking, safe calling, and messaging—perfect for younger children who need basic connectivity without distractions.
- Gabb Phone – A great first phone with talk, text, and essential apps—without internet browsing or social media.
- Gabb Phone Pro – The safe phone for teens, offering Gabb-reviewed, parent-approved apps that allow more functionality while staying safe.
Flexible Plans to Match Your Child’s Needs
Every family is different, and Gabb’s plans let parents choose the right level of access:
- Starter Plan – Ideal for kids just starting out with tech — no internet, social media, or app store access.
- Standard Plan – Includes essential apps, Gabb Music, and expanded communication options like group texting.
- Advanced Plan – Designed for tech-savvy teens, with Gabb-reviewed third-party apps that parents can enable.
Remember, it’s okay to reassess your child’s tech access if you feel they’ve taken a step too soon. Adjusting screen time rules or temporarily cutting back on smartphone use can have significant benefits.
A recent study found that children who participated in a three-week smartphone ban experienced reduced anxiety and depression symptoms, slept an extra hour per night, and felt more socially connected without their phones. If your child is struggling with screen time, stepping back for a while can help reset healthier habits.
Is There a Phone for Kids with No Internet?
Yes! Gabb Phone is the perfect kid phone without internet. These no internet phones look like a typical smartphone and comes with features kids need, but none of the dangerous or distracting apps they don’t.
Looking for phones for 10 year olds? Gabb Phone may be the perfect fit with the following features:
Text and Call
If you’re considering a phone for your child, then talk and text are two features you probably aren’t willing to go without. Gabb Phone comes with unlimited calling and text messages through the nation’s most reliable network.
Unlike workaround options (like using WiFi calling on an old iPhone) you know you can get in contact with your child whenever you need to. And as soon as your child has shown they’re ready for picture messages, parents can enable MMS messaging.
GPS Tracking
Location tracking is one of the most important safety features for a kid’s first phone so Gabb Phone lets parents monitor their child’s real-time location 24/7.
The active GPS tracker on their phone is accessible through the MyGabb app (available for download through the app stores on both Apple and Android phones), which lets you select safe zones, adjust how frequently their location is updated, and more.
The MyGabb app also makes it really easy to track down their phone if it gets lost, which is bound to happen at least once or twice. Not only will the app display the location of the lost device but you can choose to trigger a sound on the phone to help you find it.
“Gabb gives me hope. As a teacher, I was thrilled to find out about Gabb! It gives me hope in knowing there are other concerned adults out there that want something better for this generation! I am hopeful that parents and guardians will see the importance of keeping their child’s mind safe! Thank you, Gabb! I truly hope the best for your entrepreneurial journey and mission!”
Jessica M.
Grade School Teacher
Bolivia, NC
Gabb Music: A Safe Music Player for Kids
Music is an essential part of childhood, whether it’s singing along to favorite songs, dancing around the house, or winding down with calming tunes. But not all music platforms are designed with kids in mind. Many streaming services expose children to explicit lyrics, distracting social features, and unrestricted browsing that can lead to inappropriate content.
That’s where Gabb Music comes in. Designed specifically for kids, Gabb Music offers a curated experience that lets them enjoy their favorite songs in a safe, controlled environment. With a library filled with clean, family-friendly tracks, parents can feel confident that their child is only hearing age-appropriate content.
Why Choose Gabb Music?
- No Explicit Content – Every song is screened to ensure it’s safe for young listeners.
- No Ads or Social Features – Kids can enjoy music without pop-up distractions or the ability to connect with strangers.
- Easy Parental Oversight – Parents can see what their child is listening to and guide their experience.
- Works with Gabb Phones – Seamlessly integrates with Gabb devices, so kids can access music without unrestricted internet access.
Whether your child loves pop, rock, or instrumental tunes, Gabb Music provides a worry-free way for them to enjoy their favorite beats — without any of the risks found on traditional music apps.
Two Ways to Enjoy Gabb Music
Gabb Music (Radio-Style) – Perfect for kids who want a simple way to enjoy music, Gabb Music offers curated mixes from various genres and eras, much like picking a radio station.
Gabb Music+ (Full Control) – For older kids and teens who want more control, Gabb Music+ allows them to create custom playlists, search for favorite artists, and even download tracks directly to their Gabb device.
Additional Features
Gabb Messenger is the first messaging and video calling app of its kind. It was created specifically with kid’s safety as the top priority. Gabb Messenger is available exclusively on Gabb phones and allows kids to safely send texts, group chats, images, videos, and voice notes.
Gabb Messenger uses smart filtering to block high-risk content such as explicit images, links from unknown contacts, or harmful words. Parents are notified whenever such messages are sent or received.
Bonus feature: parents don’t need a separate app to communicate with their kids! Messages sent from Gabb Messenger come straight to your own device’s messaging app.
Gabb Guard comes standard on all Gabb phones. This spam blocking technology stops over 90% of suspected spam calls from reaching kids’ Gabb phones, ensuring a safer phone free from spam or unknown callers.
In addition to those key features, Gabb Phone comes with preloaded, kid-safe apps, including: video and camera, calendar, calculator, alarm clock, and photos.
“I knew Gabb was the right answer. When I first saw an ad for Gabb I knew right away it was the answer. I don’t want my son to be exposed to social media, addiction, and bullying. He’s too young to deal with that. This world gets really hard, really fast and I’m more than happy to keep it simple for my kids, as long as I can.”
Chariti S.
Mom To Gabb Phone User
Syracuse, UT
The Safest Kids Phone in the World
As important as those features are, you’re probably just as interested in the features we left out.
One thing that sets our Starter bundle apart from other options is that it has no internet, no social media, and no games. This means you get peace of mind as a parent — without any need to customize settings or enable apps — and they get a smartphone they’re excited about.
Gabb Phone Pro: The Flexible Phone Built for Teens™
Through flexible bundle options that allow mom and dad to set up the perfect first phone with just the basics, or add features and apps for the kids and teens who need more, Gabb Phone Pro is a device you can tailor to teens or big kids’ evolving needs. The Advanced bundle comes with the ability for parents to enable third-party apps that have been reviewed by Gabb.
Third-Party Apps: Gabb-Reviewed, Parent-Enabled.
Parents can enable additional apps on their teen’s phone through My Account These apps have been requested by our customers as a necessity or help, and each has been carefully reviewed by Gabb.
Although we don’t allow any browser or social media apps on our devices, parents need to be aware that enabling third-party apps comes with the risk that your child may be able to access embedded web browsers found inside an app. These browsers could potentially allow users to access the internet or even social media platforms.
Every app comes with its own functionality and inherent risks, but our Gabb App Reviews can assist you in making the best choices and help you stay informed on the abilities and potential hazards of each app — including whether an app includes an embedded web browser.
We encourage parents to take a thoughtful approach by considering your child’s individual maturity level when deciding what apps to enable, and which device is best for them.
Your Opinion Matters
We can all benefit and learn from each other as we tackle new parenting topics our ancestors never had to deal with. Do you believe it’s essential for kids to have internet access on their phones? What are your thoughts on the advantages and drawbacks of granting them access at a young age?
Leave your thoughts below in the comments.
Author Robert Milligan
Rob is a Gabb staff writer with a passion for stories and over a decade of experience. As a father of three, he loves anything that lights up his kids' worlds and sparks their imaginations. Rob is dedicated to helping families navigate the digital world safely while fostering creativity and meaningful connections.
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