We may have managed without them 20 years ago, but in 2018 we need our kids to have a phone. We need to have a way to contact them so that we can keep an eye on what they’re doing and keep them safe. They’re also extremely important in emergencies as they allow kids to contact their parents when they need help.
However, most modern phones give kids access to inappropriate content that we’d rather they don’t see, as well as apps that allow in-app purchases to be completed with ease.
Luckily, there are some devices out there which are tailor made for keeping your kids safe, allowing you to easily contact your kids whenever you need to without exposing them to the unsuitable content that smartphones give them access to.
These are the best phones to keep your kids safe:
Monqi Kids Smartphone
The Monqi Kids Smartphone is an excellent device to keep you safely in touch with your kids. It’s built to look exactly like the major smartphones that kids recognise such as the iPhone, so there’s no need to worry about kids throwing a tantrum because they weren’t given a grownups phone.
The layout of the phone is the same as major phones too, but this one can be controlled via an app on the parent’s phone. Games, apps and even new contacts can only be added once they are approved by parents. The location of the phone can also by tracked using the app on the parent’s phone, meaning that you have peace of mind knowing that your kids are always where they should be. It is recommended for children aged over 6.
Republic Wireless Relay
The Republic Wireless Relay is ideal for keeping in touch with young kids while they are out and about. Better yet, there is no need to worry about your kids getting addicted to mobile games and suffering eye damage due to excessive exposure to artificial light, as the Relay doesn’t even have a screen.
The Relay is a small square device that essentially acts as a walkie-talkie. They work by passing a voice message between two Relay devices via either wi-fi or a mobile network, so you give one device to your kid and keep one for yourself to send and receive voice messages. and pass messages to each other using the devices. It is operated mostly by a single large button in the centre, which you hold down to communicate. Other than this, there is just a headphone jack, a volume control and a channel control. This makes it simple and easy to use. It can’t make or receive phone calls from other phones, stopping kids from making dangerous prank calls, or giving personal details to cold callers, making it a safe way for kids to communicate with you and their friends.
If you want your kids phone to be nothing more than a way to communicate with them, the Relay is a great option.
Nokia 3310
If you want to grant your kids a bit more responsibility, but don’t want to compromise on safety, the Nokia 3310 may be the option for you. The Nokia 3310, will likely look familiar to you, as it is an updated version of the original Nokia 3310 that many of us owned in the early 2000’s.
This updated version comes with a colour screen, a camera and of course, snake. However, it remains ideal if you want your kid’s phone to be used as little more than a method of communication. It is safe to use, too, as it is not a smartphone, so there is no chance of kids making in-app purchases or visiting inappropriate websites.
