The best phones for kids to keep them safely connected

The COSMO JrTrack 3 is a great option if you’d prefer a wearable (read: less likely to get lost) vs. a traditional phone for your child. It comes with its own pre-installed SIM card and phone number which is activated after you purchase a COSMO mobile membership service plan which ranges from $9.99-$17.99 per month based on contract length.

It can hold up to 100 parent-approved contacts which your child can call and text plus special guardian-level contacts who can call, text and use GPS tracking via the Mission Control parent app. It also has 911 emergency calling that can be enabled from the settings app on the watch. Additional silicone or fabric watch bands can also be purchased in a fun array of colors and designs.

Pricing: $129.99 for the JrTrack 3 + $12.99 one-time activation fee. $9.99-$17.99 per month for service depending on contract length, prepaid.

Contract: Yes

It’s likely that your kid or teen might want the internet on their phone to access videos, games, and other offerings. For many parents, that can be a scary thought because the internet is filled with lots of inappropriate content. However, The Bark Phone offers an award-winning parental control dashboard where parents can customize what their kids have access to. For example, if you don’t want your child to have access to certain websites, social media, gaming, or streaming, simply block them and slowly give them access when the time is appropriate. It even monitors texts and emails for potentially digital dangers and sends alerts directly to you so you can stay in the loop. 

An additional feature allows parents to set timers on certain apps so it’s guaranteed your child isn’t on social media or staring at a screen all day — a feature we could all benefit from,right? 

Unlike other phones for kids, this one is more technologically savvy and modern as it’s styled after a Samsung A13. It definitely doesn’t look like a kids phone so your child will feel confident pulling out their new gadget in front of  their friends.

Pricing: Starts at $49 per month, includes phone, Bark premium and wireless service (unlimited talk & text with 4 GB data)

Contract: Not required

Smartphones may be on your kiddos radar, and if that’s the case, opt for a popular name brand to get the job done. Pinwheel’s software comes pre-installed on multiple smartphones from various manufacturers so they can be used right away. If you already have a current plan with a carrier, Pinwheel can usually be easily added to an existing plan without hassle. Now that all of the logistics are out of the way, parents can set up a caregiver portal which provides them the ability to monitor texts and calls (even deleted ones), apps, and manage screen time. 

Pinwheel offers a contact safelist which means your child can only receive or make calls or text to those approved contacts (ie. no spam). And when it comes to entertainment, there are hundreds of kid-friendly vetted apps that can be downloaded not including social media and other potentially addictive games. 

Last but not least, It’s likely that your kiddo might be excited when they initially get their phone, so you’ll want to manage screen time. Pinwheel allows parents the ability to create different modes so they can stay on track with their screen time and up to date with their daily to-do’s and responsibilities for fostering independence.

Price: Phone price varies based on model starting at $99. Pinwheel’s Caregiver portal service costs $14.99 per month for the first phone, $4.99 for the second, phones must be added to an existing mobile provider plan.

Contract: Yes

Gabb takes the stress out of purchasing phones for kids with their basic interfaces. Free from the internet and social media, the Gabb Phone’s sole purpose is to be used for talking and texting only. With that said, the phone comes preloaded with 14 kid-safe apps including a calendar, music, camera, photos, settings, files, radio, audio recordings, calculator, and clock. 

On the phone, you’ll notice Gabb Messenger which allows users to send texts. However, unlike other phones, this one utilizes smart filtration to flag and block inappropriate and risky content so it doesn’t come across your kiddos screen — and you can even see it on your end with Gabb Messenger for Parents. 

For music access, you need to be on their standard or advanced plan which provides users with the chance to stream and listen to millions of kid-friendly tunes. Additionally, there’s a front and rear facing camera so your kiddo can take photos of themselves and their surroundings if necessary. Plus, there’s GPS tracking so if your child loses the phone or you want to see their whereabouts you can view that from your own device with the click of a button.

A contract for Gabb is optional upon purchase, however, you can save a few dollars by opting in for one of the available plans.

Pricing: $149.99-199.99 for the phone depending on model, service packages start at $24.99 per month

Contract: Optional

Aside from traditional phones, you may be more comfortable starting off with a kids watch phone. This kid-friendly smartwatch allows children to answer and make voice notes, calls, and texts right from their wrists. It can be loaded with up to 20 contacts of a child’s most important contacts whether that’s friends, family, or those they’d need to contact in case of an emergency. 

Aside from calls and texts, this watch can serve as a motivational tool with a step tracker and to-do list for kids to keep a watchful eye on their physical activity and daily responsibilities right with the click of a button. Similar to other phones for kids, there’s GPS tracking so you can keep track of where your kid is at all times. There’s even geo-fencing alerts so you can see if your child goes outside of the permitted areas you want them to stay in.

Since this is a watch, they can’t show off their personality with a cool case, but there is the opportunity to pick from one of four wristband colors: teal mint, blue clay, dark navy with silicone band and dark navy with nylon band. 

Contract: Yes

Designed by parents, the Teracube is the perfect phone for kids and teens who are entering into the world of modern day technology. For most parents, safety is a top priority when it comes to phones and the online world. Teracube offers built-in parental monitoring and safe internet searching and browsing so your child can be protected from potentially dangerous and explicit content. Plus, parents can set time limits on certain apps and screen time so kids aren’t spending hours on their phones each day.

Similar to other smartphones, this one features a high quality display screen, a main camera and a selfie camera for photo-taking abilities, and an app-store where there’s the opportunity to download apps with parent approval including YouTube, Duolingo, Instagram, Spotify, etc. It’s a suitable option for pre-teens and teens who want to explore the online world and parents who want to protect their kids from potential dangers.

Pricing: $129 bundled with their T-Mobile service, $249 with your own network. Monthly service starts at $24.99 per month.