Kid-Phone Makers Roll Out $99 Devices as Parents Push for Tighter Controls
Updated
Updated · TechCrunch · Jul 17
Kid-Phone Makers Roll Out $99 Devices as Parents Push for Tighter Controls
3 articles · Updated · TechCrunch · Jul 17
Summary
Bark, Gabb, Pinwheel, Teracube, Ooma and Tin Can are expanding a kid-focused phone market built around stripped-down software that blocks or limits browsers, social media and app stores.
Parent controls are the main selling point: companion apps can approve contacts, track location, cap screen time, choose apps and sometimes flag cyberbullying, explicit content or online predators.
Prices span a broad range, from Teracube’s $99 handset and Ooma’s $7.99 monthly service to Bark’s $240 phone with plans starting at $29 a month.
The category now stretches beyond modified smartphones to minimalist calling-and-texting devices and home phones such as Pinwheel Home, Ooma MyPhone and Tin Can.