Companies develop safer phones for children as parental concerns grow
8 reported
A growing number of companies are creating smartphones and home phones specifically designed for children, responding to increasing parental concerns about unrestricted smartphone access. These devices typically include touchscreens, cameras, and communication features but have heavily modified software that restricts web browsers, social media, app stores, and other distractions. Parents can manage these devices through companion apps to approve contacts, monitor locations, set screen time limits, and receive alerts about cyberbullying or explicit content. Some companies offer minimalist devices focused solely on calling and texting, while others provide home phones for children, such as Tin Can and the recently launched Pinwheel Home. Major players in this market include Bark Phone, Gabb, Pinwheel, Teracube Thrive, Ooma MyPhone, and Tin Can, each with varying features and pricing. This information comes from a single TechCrunch article published July 17, 2026.
What’s reported
Kid-friendly phones typically have touchscreens, cameras, and communication capabilities but restrict web browsers, social media, app stores, and other distractions.
Parents can manage devices through companion apps to approve contacts, monitor locations, set screen time limits, and receive alerts about cyberbullying or explicit content.
The Bark Phone is built on Samsung Galaxy hardware, scans texts and apps for cyberbullying and other concerns, and costs $240 plus a wireless plan starting at $29/month.
Gabb phones do not include social media, a browser, or an app store, and start at $159.99 with cellular service from $24.99/month.
Pinwheel phones start at $119 with a Caregiver Portal subscription from $14.99/month, and the company also offers landline phones and a smartwatch.
Teracube Thrive, launched in 2022, runs Thrive OS and sells for $99 with plans starting at $35/month.
Ooma MyPhone is a kid-focused home phone costing $99.99 with service from $7.99/month.
Tin Can is a Wi-Fi-connected landline phone with a tin can design, costing $100, with a free plan for calling other Tin Can users and a $9.99/month plan for all approved contacts.
Sources: TechCrunch
