Phones Without Social Media: Is the New Trend Protecting Kids?
Can phones without social media protect kids from its risks? A new trend offers parents hope.
December 12, 2024
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One common parenting frustration is that the best technology today is clearly designed for adults, with kid-safety tacked on as an afterthought (if at all).
Gabb was created to change that. Our lineup of kid-safe tech started with the Gabb Phone (and now includes Gabb Watch and Gabb Phone Pro).
With unlimited talk and text but no internet, social media, time-sucking games, or unsafe apps, Gabb Phone is the ideal first phone for kids. It provides your kids with everything they need to stay safely connected, but nothing they don’t.
Gabb Phone Connectivity
It’s undeniable that unlimited access to the internet, social media, and other online platforms can cause children significant mental, emotional, and physical harm. Connection is vital to Gabb’s mission — but without ever compromising on protection.
Some apps allow users to access the internet through the app itself, making it relatively quick and easy to bypass internet blocking software. Gabb Phone does not give kids direct or indirect access to the internet, social media, or any apps that would allow kids to circumvent the protections parents want in place.
Unlimited Talk + Text
All Gabb devices come with plans that include coverage on a reliable nationwide network that allows users to receive unlimited talk and text service. We offer three plan options — Starter, Standard, or Advanced — to give families flexibility to fit their child’s needs. Image and group text can be used on Gabb Phone through the Standard or Advanced plans.
Gabb Phone also allows users to make calls to emergency services if necessary.
GPS Location Services
Gabb Phone comes equipped with an active GPS tracker so parents can check in while they’re out with friends, or use the Find My Phone feature to track down the device if it ever goes missing. Viewing the device location and triggering the Find My Phone sound are both simple to do through the parent’s Gabb Account (or MyGabb app) explained below.
Safe Messaging with Gabb Messenger
Gabb Messenger was built from scratch to be the safest messaging app for kids and teens. It allows your child to text, send photos, and group chat without all the risks posed by other messaging apps.
Activity reporting and parental controls are easily accessible through the parent dashboard on your own phone. One unique aspect of Gabb Messenger, compared to other parental-controlled options, is that only questionable content displays in the parent dashboard so you get peace of mind while your child gets the messaging privacy they need to develop crucial digital communication skills.
Digital Backup with Gabb Cloud
Gabb Cloud keeps your kid’s data safely and securely stored in the cloud. Through automatic data backup you can automatically protect favorite memories and preferred settings without any concerns about anything personal being leaked online.
Spam Blocker with Gabb Guard
Gabb Guard provides spam blocking that stops over 90% of suspected spam calls from reaching your child’s Gabb Phone in the first place.
Gabb Phone Apps
With Gabb Phone, it’s effortless for parents to give their child access to a limited list of safe apps. These apps are carefully developed, reviewed, and/or modified with safety as the top priority. That means no loopholes that a child might stumble upon to access outside websites or content.
Safe Apps Come Standard
Gabb Phone comes with the following apps preinstalled:
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Call
- Camera
- Clock
- Contacts
- Gabb ID
- Gabb Messenger
- Gabb Music (subscription required, more info below)
- My Files
- Notes
- Phone (by Gabb)
- Photos (by Gabb)
- Settings
- Video
- Voice Recorder (voice)
- Weather (by Gabb)
Gabb Music
The impact of music, for good or bad, is well-known by now. And especially when it comes to kids and young teens who are in particularly impressionable stages. Gabb Music lets them listen their way with a clean music library curated from millions of songs from every genre and era.
Parent-Enabled Apps
Gabb Phone allows for the addition of several apps that can be enabled through the parent’s account. Those apps are:
- Chabad.org Daily Torah Study
- Bible App by Olive Tree
- Chess (by Gabb)
- Gabb Maps
- Gospel Library
- Quran
- Sora
Gabb Phone Hardware
Accidents happen, especially for kids just getting used to taking care of a phone. Gabb Phone was built to keep up with kids, this includes:
- Crisp 6.1 inch display (720×1560)
- 8MP front camera and 12MP video recording resolution
- 3.5 mm standard headphone jack
- 1.8 GHz Quad Core processor
- 3GB RAM, 32GB ROM
- 3120 mAh battery
- USB C charging
- Bluetooth 5
- Fingerprint, proximity, ambient light, and digital compass sensors
What to Expect
Gabb Phone is available for purchase online and includes free shipping and a 15-Day Money Back Guarantee (see full return policy in our Terms & Conditions).
What’s in the Box
When purchased directly from Gabb, Gabb Phone comes pre-activated so it’s ready to use right out of the box. Also included is a USB to USBc 3-foot cable and USB to wall outlet adapter for recharging, a battery, and a pair of earbuds
Please note: when purchased through Amazon, or if purchased on gabb.com using “Buy with Prime,” Gabb Phone will not be pre-activated. In those cases, simple activation instructions are included in the box.
Cost
Gabb Phone retails at $149.99 and requires a phone plan that carries a monthly fee. You can pick from one of three options for that plan:
- 2-year contract (lowest monthly fee)
- 1-year contract
- No contract (highest monthly fee)
Payment
As part of the online purchasing process, you will set up a free Gabb Account that allows you to view payment details, update payment information, and more (see below). Your plan’s billing cycle begins on the day you complete the online purchase and the card you use at checkout will be charged 3 days later, then monthly for the length of the contract.
Gabb Account
In addition to managing payment details, your Gabb Account will allow you to take advantage of key Gabb features like adding subscriptions (e.g. Gabb Music) tracking your child’s device location, and adding optional apps to your child’s Gabb Phone (see below).
You can log in to your Gabb Account on any internet-enabled device and can also download the MyGabb app (on Apple or Android) using the same login credentials. Most parents prefer using the app for things like location tracking because it’s quick and convenient.
How to Add Apps to Gabb Phone
Once you’ve set up a Gabb Account, follow these steps to add apps to your child’s Gabb Phone:
- Log into your Gabb Account
- Select “App Management” from the left side menu
- Choose which apps you want to enable and click “enable”
- Ensure your child’s device is connected to WiFi, open the GabbID app on their device, sign in (if you are not already), and select “Check Updates.” This will begin the app download.
You can remove access to these apps under “App Management” on your Gabb Account at any time.
Customer Support
Gabb employs a full Customer Support team ready to answer questions via text, call, or email Monday-Saturday. We also have a robust library of helpful articles and videos about common Gabb Phone questions so you can find answers as quick as you can click, 24/7.
Questions? Comments?
Did we miss anything? If you still have questions about Gabb Phone, let us know in the comments below.
Author Jake Cutler
Jake is Gabb Now's managing editor. He and his wife have three wild little boys. Prior to Gabb, Jake was a band manager and adjunct faculty in the English department at BYU and BYU-Hawaii. His own writing has been published by Esquire, Forbes, Elsewhere, Iron Horse Literary Review, and others.
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