What Makes A Safe Phone For Kids

What Makes a Safe Phone for Kids? Fewer Features, More Communication.

Your kids have made it abundantly clear: They want a phone. But a safe phone for kids can be tough to find, and even then, you’re not out of the woods.

Cell phones are wonderful tools. Unfortunately, even a safe phone for kids can expose them to risks. And while cyberbullying and pornography are real concerns, they’re just the start.

Smartphones have changed the very nature of our kids’ friendships. These days, many kids would rather twiddle their thumbs on social media than get the neighborhood together for a game of kickball.

Trouble communicating, superficial relationships, and avoidant behavior are common in kids who get a phone too early. That’s why we’ve built a safe phone for kids—and we’re committed to helping parents teach them to use it well.

What’s a Safe Phone for Kids?

Plenty of devices claim to be kid-friendly. But the reality is, a safe phone for kids needs more than parental controls.

Kids are tech-savvy, and it doesn’t take a genius to get around these safeguards. And in any case, do you really have time to keep an eye on your kid’s phone 24/7?

Instead, look at what’s not included.
No safe phone for kids should come with:

Every social media platform

“No ifs, ands, or buts”: Any safe phone for kids should be free of social media apps.

Social media is toxic for kids.

“No ifs, ands, or buts”: Any safe phone for kids should be free of social media apps.

Social media is toxic for kids. A review of more than 20 scientific studies determined that teen social media usage is associated with body image issues, suicide, and addiction.

Even if your kid avoids the worst consequences of social media use, they’ll have wasted hours better spent elsewhere. Wouldn’t you rather your son or daughter explore hobbies or build real-world relationships?

Unfortunately, no platform is safe. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok, kids don’t understand that they’re seeing idealized versions of others, not their real selves. And given how much trouble adults have identifying fake or propagandizing accounts, kids certainly can’t.

A review of more than 20 scientific studies determined that teen social media usage is associated with body image issues, suicide, and addiction.

Even if your kid avoids the worst consequences of social media use, they’ll have wasted hours better spent elsewhere. Wouldn’t you rather your son or daughter explore hobbies or build real-world relationships?

Unfortunately, no platform is safe. Whether it’s Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok, kids don’t understand that they’re seeing idealized versions of others, not their real selves. And given how much trouble adults have identifying fake or propagandizing accounts, kids certainly can’t.

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Free access to app stores

If your kid’s phone doesn’t come with social media apps, you can bet your children will try to download them.

If your kid’s phone doesn’t come with social media apps, you can bet your children will try to download them. And because many apps are free, they won’t need to ask you for your credit card to do it. A safe phone for kids with dangerous apps isn’t safe at all.

Like social media apps, neither Google Play nor Apple’s App Store is safe. While educational apps do exist, most of the ones your kid will be interested in are time-wasting games.

Finally, check for third-party app accessibility. Some devices that claim to be a safe phone for kids let users download apps online or from SMS links. Not only can these be dangerous to your kid, but they may contain viruses or malware that damage the device.

And because many apps are free, they won’t need to ask you for your credit card to do it. A safe phone for kids with dangerous apps isn’t safe at all.

Like social media apps, neither Google Play nor Apple’s App Store is safe. While educational apps do exist, most of the ones your kid will be interested in are time-wasting games.

Finally, check for third-party app accessibility. Some devices that claim to be a safe phone for kids let users download apps online or from SMS links. Not only can these be dangerous to your kid, but they may contain viruses or malware that damage the device.

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Unrestricted picture messaging capabilities

Nothing good can come from kids sending picture messages to each other.

Nothing good can come from kids sending picture messages to each other. If your son really wants to share a photo of his birthday party, ask him to show it to his friends on his phone’s screen.
Two reasons make unrestricted picture messaging a no-no in a safe phone for kids: child predators, and pornography.

When predators “groom” children, they may ask the kid to send photos of themselves. And even if they don’t ask for explicit photos, they may use photos of their neighborhood or school to keep tabs on a child’s location.

The second factor, pornography, is more of a problem with older children. Kids mature physically before they mature in other ways. They may not understand that sending a photo of a body part can have professional or legal consequences years down the road.

If your son really wants to share a photo of his birthday party, ask him to show it to his friends on his phone’s screen.
Two reasons make unrestricted picture messaging a no-no in a safe phone for kids: child predators, and pornography.

When predators “groom” children, they may ask the kid to send photos of themselves. And even if they don’t ask for explicit photos, they may use photos of their neighborhood or school to keep tabs on a child’s location.

The second factor, pornography, is more of a problem with older children. Kids mature physically before they mature in other ways. They may not understand that sending a photo of a body part can have professional or legal consequences years down the road.

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Unlimited internet access

No doubt, the internet is a great learning tool.

No doubt, the internet is a great learning tool. If your kid’s teacher is OK with it, encourage them to use it for homework help.

But the truth is, any productive internet use can be done on a desktop computer. Even older kids don’t need internet access on their phone.

Online, all it takes is a quick Google to find good, bad, and ugly content. And because digital ecosystems are designed to keep them scrolling, a safe phone for kids should be internet-free.

Young kids, in particular, should be spending their time exploring the real world. Remember, online content is forever—which means it’ll still be there when your kids are older.

If your kid’s teacher is OK with it, encourage them to use it for homework help.

But the truth is, any productive internet use can be done on a desktop computer. Even older kids don’t need internet access on their phone.

Online, all it takes is a quick Google to find good, bad, and ugly content. And because digital ecosystems are designed to keep them scrolling, a safe phone for kids should be internet-free.

Young kids, in particular, should be spending their time exploring the real world. Remember, online content is forever—which means it’ll still be there when your kids are older.

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While a safe phone for kids shouldn’t have these features, the truth is, even the safest phone can be used in an unsafe way. As a parent, the responsibility is on you to explain safe phone usage.

Let’s take a look at the risks, as well as how you can talk through each with your child:

Excessive screen time

How much screen time is dangerous for kids? Even on a safe phone for kids, any more than two hours is unsafe. For pre-teens, anything beyond an hour is risky. Kids under two shouldn’t be spending any time at all on screens.

With that said, you know best. Trust your gut: If you feel like your son is spending too much time staring at his phone, he probably is. Sit down and set limits together.

Say This

“How much time per day are you spending on your phone?”

“How does screen time affect you? Do you feel more anxious or upset afterward?”

“What could you do with that time instead? How would it make you feel?”

Usage at inappropriate times

Just because your kid is staying within their screen time limits doesn’t mean they’re using their phone safely. Even a safe phone for kids can interfere with your son or daughter’s relationships.

At certain times, neither you nor they should be on their phone. Phones should be put away over dinner, at school, right before bed, and whenever family or friends are visiting.

Say This

“Does your phone use ever cause you to miss out on other things?”

“Have your teachers or friends ever asked you to put your phone away?”

“How do you think people feel when you pull out your phone around them?”

Inappropriate content

While a safe phone for kids shouldn’t have internet or picture messaging, that doesn’t mean they’re entirely safe. You’d be amazed at some of the things kids text to one another.

With older kids, “sexting” and drug-related content are concerns. For younger kids, child predators may try to contact them. Have a conversation with them before you find something you don’t want to see on their device.

Say This

“Has someone ever sent you a message that made you feel uncomfortable?”

“What sorts of messages would you share with a trusted adult?”

“Have you thought about how sending something you shouldn’t could affect your future?”

Communication or social issues

These days, some kids would prefer to say something over text than to someone else directly. While doing so can avoid conflict, it isn’t healthy.

Meaningful, real-world relationships aren’t built over text. And in the workplace, direct communication is often the best way to get a point across. Never turn a blind eye just because you bought your son or daughter a safe phone for kids.

Often, this is more difficult to spot than simple phone overuse or dangerous content. Signs include social anxiety, avoidant behavior, new stuttering, or lack of interest in spending time with others.

Say This

“Do you often spend time with the people you’re texting?”

“What sort of things should you say in person, rather than over text?”

“What are your favorite things to do with your friends?”

Phone separation anxiety

Perhaps your kid isn’t overusing or misusing his phone. Maybe you haven’t found any content on it you shouldn’t. But if your kid can’t spend half an hour apart from his phone, his relationship with it is not healthy.

When your child can’t stop thinking about her phone, her mind doesn’t have room for all sorts of other things. Kids need to be curious about and aware of what’s going on around them. They can’t do that if they’re checking their device every five minutes, even if it’s technically a safe phone for kids.

Say This

“How do you feel when you can’t find your phone?”

“Do you ever intentionally go somewhere or do something without your phone?”

“When was the last time you spent a full day away from your phone?”

In most cases, you can avoid these unhealthy habits by choosing a safe phone for kids. Your second line of defense should be a heart-to-heart chat. If things get out of hand, don’t be afraid to chat with a professional.

Start with your school’s counselor. She might have insights into your kid’s phone use at school. Even if not, she’s used to having hard conversations with kids. And if she can’t get through to your child, she’ll be able to point you toward mental health professionals who can.

The good news is, some kid’s phone safety issues can be solved with simple accessories.

Safety Tools and Accessories for Your Kid’s Phone

Let’s face it: You’re too busy to mess with parental controls on your kid’s phone. And even if you weren’t, they’re smart enough to disable them.

If you have decided to buy a kids phone, you can also look at investing in tools that your kid can use to regulate their own phone use. These accessories can make a safe phone for kids even safer:

Timer

You know what it’s like: When you’re using your phone, it’s easy to let hours pass by unnoticed.

Get your kid a timer, or ask them to use the stopwatch on their phone. Encourage them to self-monitor: If they get an hour each day to text their friends, they should start the timer at each session. Rather than clear it afterward, they can simply stop and restart it the next time they pull out their phone.

Time-release lock box

If your kid isn’t doing a good job at self-regulating their phone usage, it may be time to get them another accessory: a time-release lock box.

After an overuse violation, place your kid’s phone in the box. Once you set the timer, they won’t be able to access it until the buzzer goes off. Consider locking it for 24 hours for repeat issues.

On Amazon, these tools can be purchased for around $40. Manual, key-based ones can be had for as little as $13.

Phone case

Kids can be awfully hard on their things. And even with a safe phone for kids, mistakes happen.

Before your kid drops their phone, get them a phone case. Look for a durable, hard plastic case that can withstand a few bumps and bruises.

For the Gabb Phone, our rose gold case is a popular pick. For other models, phone cases typically run between $10 and $30.

Bluetooth headphones

Before investing in a safe phone for kids, ensure it can connect to external audio devices via Bluetooth. Not only do these devices offer better sound quality than the phone’s internal speaker, but they can keep your kid’s phone usage from distracting others.

Just be sure your kid knows not to wear headphones while driving or walking in public. Hearing what’s going on around you, such as emergency sirens, is important even with a safe phone for kids. Most bluetooth headphones cost between $15 and $250.

Screen protector

A great companion accessory to any safe phone for kids is a screen protector. A screen protector prevents scratches and cracks from damaging the display of your kid’s phone.

If you invest in a screen protector, make sure you know how to apply it yourself. Without careful application, air bubbles may sit between the screen and the protector. Not only are these unsightly, but they keep the touch screen from working properly.

You can get a screen protector designed to fit your kid’s Gabb Phone. For other models, look online. Screen protectors typically run between $5 and $20.

PhoneSoap

A safe phone for kids should be sanitary. A great tool to keep your kid’s phone from building up germs is PhoneSoap.

Using UV light, PhoneSoap kills bacteria and viruses living on your kid’s device. Encourage your kid to put their phone in PhoneSoap each night, or any time they bring it with them to the bathroom.

PhoneSoap starts at $79, which is a bit steep for a kid’s phone accessory. However, it should work with every phone in your family.

Still, there are some risks that can’t be solved with a simple accessory. Unfortunately, even a safe phone for kids can be compromised by cyberbullies.

Promoting Healthy Parent-Child Communication

Without healthy parent-child communication, even a safe phone for kids can be dangerous. Your child needs your guidance to use their device in healthy, constructive ways.

Here’s how to do it:

Getting a safe phone for kids is just the start. As with every other tool you give them, true safety requires healthy habits and behaviors. Bullies don’t give up just because they see a certain device in your child’s hands.

Be the parent you’d want to have. Check out the Gabb Phone, get them the accessories they need, and chat through the challenges. Even the safest phone for kids is no substitute for your support.

What’s a Safe Phone for Kids?

What’s a Safe Phone for Kids?

Instead, look at what’s not included.
No safe phone for kids should come with:

While a safe phone for kids shouldn’t have these features, the truth is, even the safest phone can be used in an unsafe way. As a parent, the responsibility is on you to explain safe phone usage.

How to Explain Safe Phone Use

How to Explain Safe Phone Use

Let’s take a look at the risks, as well as how you can talk through each with your child:

Safety Tools and Accessories for Your Kid’s Phone

Safety Tools and Accessories for Your Kid’s Phone

If you have decided to buy a kids phone, you can also look at investing in tools that your kid can use to regulate their own phone use. These accessories can make a safe phone for kids even safer:

Timer

Time-release lock box

Phone case

Bluetooth headphones

Screen protector

PhoneSoap

Promoting Healthy Parent-Child Communication

Promoting Healthy Parent-Child Communication

Here’s how to do it:

Getting a safe phone for kids is just the start. As with every other tool you give them, true safety requires healthy habits and behaviors. Bullies don’t give up just because they see a certain device in your child’s hands.

Be the parent you’d want to have. Check out the Gabb Phone, get them the accessories they need, and chat through the challenges. Even the safest phone for kids is no substitute for your support.

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What Makes A Safe Phone For Kids