Parents want safer phones for kids. These companies are answering the call.

Summary

Bark, Gabb, Pinwheel and other companies are offering child-friendly smartphones that are stripped of web browsers and social media or kept under strict control, in response to parents' demand for safe phones.

Why it matters

These devices aim to reduce the risks children may encounter in the online world, such as cyberbullying, harassment, and inappropriate content. With parental control tools like location tracking, screen time limits, and communication approvals, the digital experience becomes safer.

Highlights

• Bark Phone is built on Samsung hardware and analyzes texts, photos, etc., sending real-time alerts to parents.
• Gabb provides a limited experience without an internet browser or app store, offering only calling, messaging, and pre-installed apps.
• Pinwheel creates 'modes' for different times of day, allowing only calling and navigation during school hours while unlocking additional features afterward.

Critical take

The devices' prices and monthly service fees may limit accessibility for low-income families; they can also clash with some parents' desire to give their children a completely unrestricted digital environment.