When should your child have their own phone? What should you do when you want to be able to connect with your young teen but you are not yet ready to face the challenges of giving them a smartphone? Are there options when you decide your teen needs guardrails in place to limit screen time or access to social media? These are just some of the questions that face today’s parents.
At Front Range Christian School, we try to do our part in helping your child learn responsible digital citizenship. From developing a healthy sense of the benefits of technology to encouraging disciples to understand the importance of integrity in all aspects of our lives, including our digital selves. Ultimately, however, it is up to each parent to decide what is appropriate for their child. So every once in a while, we like to share resources that can help parents navigate the sea of technology for the health and safety of their children.
This post is not an endorsement, neither are we specifically encouraging any parent to pursue this phone option. FRCS received no compensation for this blog post, nor were we asked to write it. We simply felt it was something we should share with parents.
Gabb Wireless sells smartphones and smartwatches for kids. Each device comes preloaded with 14 apps: phone, messaging, contacts, camera, music, video, gallery, calendar, clock, calculator, voice recorder, file manager, FM radio, and settings. It even has Bluetooth and a fingerprint reader for security. For parents, there is a “find my phone” feature in the MyGabb app (available from the App Store and Google Play) that allows you to find your child’s phone or track its whereabouts using GPS. It also allows parents to instruct the phone to sound an alert to make it easy to find when misplaced.
The phones utilize Verizon’s network and are Android-based with both front and rear facing cameras. They look and function like a standard smartphone without the things that might cause a parent to worry (internet, social media, apps, games, etc.). Phones run $99.99 and two plans are available at $19.99 or $24.99 per month. As a bonus, there is no contract.
If you are interested in learning more, visit the Gabb Wireless website. And here are a few independent reviews of the service, in case you need help to decide:
- Gabb Wireless: A smartphone for kids to keep them safe and minimize screen time by Brad Anderson for readwrite
- Kids and Phones: Is Gabb Wireless the answer to parental concerns? from Screentime
- Gab Wireless on Best Company
