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Two young girls walking outside and laughing while holding Gabb phones

What makes a phone safer for kids? Fewer features, more communication

A young brother and sister getting out of a car

Your kids have made it abundantly clear: They want a phone. However, a safer 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 safer 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 safer phone for kids—and we’re committed to helping parents teach them to use it well.

What’s a safer phone for kids?

Plenty of devices claim to be kid-friendly. But the reality is a safer 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?

Two young girls laughing and talking to each other

No phone for kids should include:

Social media platforms

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

Research has raised concerns about links between heavy social media use and mental health outcomes in teens. 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 child explore hobbies or build real-world relationships?

Unfortunately, no social media platform is safe. Research has raised significant concerns about the risks most social media platforms pose to children and teens—from exposure to harmful content to negative mental health outcomes. And given how much trouble adults have identifying fake or propagandizing accounts, kids certainly can’t.

Free access to app stores

If your kid’s phone doesn’t come with social media apps, its not unlikely that 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 “safer phone” for kids with dangerous apps isn’t actually safe at all.

Apple's App Store and Google Play are not curated for kids. While educational apps do exist, many of the apps your kid will be interested in are time-wasting games.

Finally, check for third-party app accessibility. Some devices that claim to be “safer 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.

While a phone built for kids shouldn’t have these features, the truth is, even the safest phone can be used in an unsafe way. No device eliminates all risks. Gabb's safety features are designed to reduce exposure, not guarantee it.

As a parent, you’re your child’s most important guide.

Six different kids standing in a line side by side, all looking down at their phones

How to explain using a phone more safely.

Once you’ve decided on a safer phone for kids, the hard part begins: teaching your kid to use it responsibly. 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? 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.

Conversation Starters

  • “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

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.

Conversation Starters

  • “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?”
A father helping his young daughter with her Gabb watch

In most cases, you can avoid these unhealthy habits by choosing a safer 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. They might have insights into your kid’s phone use at school. Even if not, they’re used to having hard conversations with kids. And if they can’t get through to your child, they’ll be able to point you toward mental health professionals who can. The good news is, some kids' phone safety issues can be solved with simple accessories.

Safety tools and accessories for your kid’s phone.

Traditional parental controls layered onto a standard smartphone can be difficult to maintain; and kids often find workarounds. Gabb takes a different approach with safety features built into the device at the system level. The Gabb Phone 4 has no browser or app store.

A mother and daughter looking at a Gabb phone in the young girl's hand

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 your child’s phone 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. If they go over their limit, 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 are available at a range of price points—search online for current options.

  • Phone case

    Kids can be awfully hard on their things. And even with a safer 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. Check our accessories page for available cases and for current pricing.

  • Bluetooth headphones

    When choosing a safer phone for kids, check that it supports 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 safer phone for kids. Bluetooth headphones are available at a wide range of price points. Search online for current options.

  • Screen protector

    A great companion accessory to any safer 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, search online for current pricing.

A happy family

Promoting healthy parent-child communication.

Without healthy parent-child communication, even a safer 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 safer 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 a great phone is no substitute for your support.