3 Companies Making Safer Phones for Kids: Bark, Gabb, Pinwheel

Three companies — Bark, Gabb and Pinwheel — are among the firms building phones designed specifically for children as parents look for alternatives to handing over an unrestricted smartphone, according to a Nov. 7 report from TechCrunch. The devices range from touchscreen phones with heavily modified software to minimalist calling-and-texting units and home phones built for kids.

What Do Kid-Specific Phones Typically Include?

Most kid-focused phones on the market today have touchscreens, cameras and communication features similar to standard smartphones, TechCrunch reports. The software is modified to remove or restrict web browsers, social media and app stores. Parents manage the devices through a companion app, where they can approve contacts, monitor locations, set screen-time limits, choose available apps and, on some devices, receive alerts about cyberbullying, explicit content or online predators, according to the report.

How Does the Bark Phone Work?

The Bark Phone is built on Samsung Galaxy hardware and runs Bark's monitoring software, restricting calls and texts to approved contacts, TechCrunch reports. The system scans texts, emails, photos and supported apps for signs of cyberbullying, grooming, suicidal ideation and sexual content, then alerts parents. Parents can gradually unlock web browsing and additional apps as a child matures, and the phone includes GPS tracking and screen-time management, according to the report.

How Is Gabb Different From Bark?

Gabb's approach emphasizes eliminating online risks rather than monitoring content, TechCrunch reports. Gabb phones exclude social media, a browser and an app store, offering instead calling, texting and a curated set of preloaded apps such as a camera, calendar and calculator. The company also offers a music streaming library it describes as "worry-free," per the report. Parents can view location data and manage device settings, and an optional "Gabb Guard" service blocks spam calls and unwanted texts.

What Does Pinwheel Offer Parents?

With Pinwheel, parents approve every app installed on the device, control which contacts a child can reach, schedule screen time, create custom device routines and monitor location history, according to TechCrunch. The company also makes Pinwheel Home, a device aimed at households that want a landline-style option built specifically for children, the report notes.

How Much Do These Kid Phones Cost?

Pricing varies by company and plan, according to TechCrunch:

• Bark Phone: $240 for the standard model, plus a required wireless plan starting at $29 per month. Higher-tier plans add internet access and unlimited texting.
• Gabb: Phones start around $159.99, with cellular service starting around $24.99 per month.

Are There Options Besides Smartphones?

Beyond modified smartphones, some companies sell minimalist devices focused only on calling and texting, TechCrunch reports. Home phones built specifically for kids are also entering the market, including Tin Can and the recently launched Pinwheel Home, according to the report. The range of products reflects parents' search for devices that allow communication and location tracking without exposing children to open internet access or social media.

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