What Are The Best Cell Phones for Kids?

Navigating Kids Cell Phones: Safety, Benefits, and SoyMomo's Smartwatch Solution

Is your child at the age where the majority of their time is spent at school, extracurricular activities, and play dates at friend’s houses? If so, you are probably one of the many parents that have considered getting your child a cell phone.

With mobile phones virtually eradicating pay phone and landline phone use, mobile phones for kids are an increasingly popular option and there’s a good reason why. Mainly, parents and caregivers want to be able to know where their child is and provide them with a tool to stay in touch in case of an emergency. With gun violence and school shootings at an all time high in the US, it’s very understandable that parents worry and are searching for ways to be able to stay in touch with their children.

Let’s go over the common reasons parents consider providing their child or tween with a cell phone:

Safety and Security: One of the primary reasons parents opt to provide their child with a cell phone is safety. In an emergency situation or when they're away from home, having a cell phone allows children to contact their parents or guardians swiftly. Cell phones can also come equipped with GPS tracking, enabling parents to keep tabs on their child's whereabouts and ensuring their safety.

Communication: Cell phones serve as a reliable means of communication, fostering a stronger connection between parents and their children. Parents can easily reach out to their kids to check on them, share updates, or coordinate logistics. Likewise, children can communicate with their parents, friends, and other family members, enhancing their social skills and ability to maintain relationships.

Educational Opportunities: A cell phone can be a powerful educational tool. With access to the internet, children can explore a wealth of information, conduct research for school projects, listen to educational podcasts, and engage in online educational platforms. Various apps and resources can facilitate learning in subjects ranging from science to language arts, making learning more interactive and engaging.

Responsibility and Digital Literacy: Owning a cell phone comes with a degree of responsibility. Children can learn to manage their device, follow guidelines, and understand digital etiquette. Teaching them about the appropriate use of technology, the importance of privacy, and the potential consequences of online actions helps develop their digital literacy and responsible behavior in the virtual world.

Social Connection: For many children, a cell phone is their ticket to staying connected with friends and peers. Texting, social media, and other communication platforms allow them to interact, share experiences, and participate in group activities. This sense of belonging contributes to their emotional development and social integration.

Emergency Preparedness: In addition to the safety aspect, having a cell phone can aid in emergency preparedness. Children can store important contact numbers, medical information, and emergency services, providing them with the knowledge and tools to handle unexpected situations responsibly.

Transition to Independence: As children grow older, they naturally seek more independence. Owning a cell phone can be a part of this process, allowing them to take on responsibilities and make decisions in a controlled environment. It's a step toward nurturing their self-reliance while still having the support and guidance of their parents.

Unfortunately, cell phones, particularly the most widely available cell phones these days - smartphones, come with their own risks, especially for children and tweens. It’s important for parents to be aware of the potential risks of kids' cell phone use BEFORE they make the decision to get their child a cell phone.

Let’s go over some of the risks your kid may be exposed to with a typical cell phone (smartphone):

Online Harassment, Cyberbullying, & Online Predators: A traditional smartphone comes with access to social media apps and internet browsing. When it comes to introducing your child to the internet and social media, most parents are wary of online harassment and bullying, and rightfully so. In 2023 alone, SoyMomo’s AI software detected over 160,000 messages related to cyberbullying received on their tablets. Children with smartphones that have access to the internet and social media are susceptible to cyberbullying, which can include hurtful messages, threats, or exclusion from their peers, often leading to emotional distress and psychological harm.

In the same vein, children's innocence and naivety may make them targets for online predators who exploit their vulnerability to establish trust and manipulate them into sharing personal information or engaging in inappropriate conversations.

Inappropriate Content Exposure: Smartphones grant access to the internet, which opens a world of potentially harmful content for children, like explicit material, violence, and inappropriate discussions that can negatively influence their values and perceptions.

Digital Footprint and Privacy Concerns: Children may not fully grasp the concept of online privacy, leading them to share personal information or images that could be exploited by malicious actors, affecting their future reputation and safety.

Social Media Pressure: The use of traditional smartphones comes with access to social media platforms, where children face social comparison, unrealistic beauty standards, peer pressure, and the need to curate a perfect online image, which has been proven to have a negative effect on self-esteem, particularly for adolescent girls.

Screen Addiction, Impaired Focus, & Reduced Physical Activity: Let’s face it, smartphones these days offer endless entertainment options. The captivating nature of smartphones can lead to excessive screen time, diminishing children's ability to concentrate on tasks, complete homework, and engage in meaningful real-life activities. The immediate gratification and rewards provided by smartphone apps and games can lead to addictive behaviors in children.

At the same time, with unlimited access to a smartphone, children tend to spend more time indoors engaging in sedentary behaviors, which can contribute to physical health issues like obesity and related complications.

Sleep Disruption: Prolonged smartphone use, particularly before bedtime, can disrupt sleep patterns due to the emission of blue light, leading to sleep deprivation, fatigue, and poor academic performance.

Diminished Face-to-Face Communication Skills: Excessive reliance on smartphone communication can hinder the development of crucial face-to-face social skills, such as interpreting nonverbal cues and maintaining meaningful conversations.

Academic Distraction: Smartphones can disrupt learning environments by tempting children to use them during class, study sessions, or homework time, leading to reduced focus and academic performance.

Ultimately, the Decision to Get Your Child a Cell Phone is a Personal One.

What is the safest cell phone for a child?

However, for those parents that don’t feel their child is ready for a “real” phone yet, don’t worry!

There’s an increasing number of options available for parents who want some features of a phone for their child (voice calls and GPS, for example), without all the risks that come with a smartphone today.

In fact, that’s exactly why at SoyMomo, we developed our Space 2.0 GPS Smartwatch. The Space 2.0 has all the features a parent needs to stay in touch with their child, like voice/video calls and voice messaging, but without access to the internet, social media, or games. It comes with safety features like GPS tracking, an SOS button for emergencies, unknown caller blocking, and safe zones, where parents receive a notification if their child leaves a certain designated area.

Plus, the SoyMomo Smartwatch comes with helpful features like class mode, a voice-activated virtual assistant, and ability to set reminders/alarms. The best part is everything is set up and connected through the parental control app, so parents are never left wondering what their kid may have access to. And of course it’s made to be truly childproof, with extra-durable hardware that’s scratch-resistant and water-resistant up to 3 feet.

So if you’re thinking about getting your kiddo a phone but worried about the screen time addiction, cyberbullying, and harmful content that can come along with a phone for children, fear not! There are alternatives out there that allow you to stay connected with your child while protecting them from all the dangers that come along with a cell phone for kids.