Navigating back-to-school phone bans: Shop kid-friendly smartphone alternatives
From smartwatches to messaging devices, discover top tech that help kids stay in touch this school year.
Rachel Cortez
- Paste BN Shopping offers tips on communication devices for kids and teens, including phones, smartwatches, tracking devices and walkie-talkies.
- Recommendations consider different age groups and needs, from basic communication to controlled app access and GPS tracking.
- The article emphasizes checking local regulations and school policies before choosing a device.
As you prepare your child to head back to school, it is natural for parents to feel a mix of excitement and concern. Questions around safety and staying connected may come up around this time, especially with new phone bans and ongoing conversations about school security across the country.
From teachers wanting a distraction-free environment to parents asking for reliable lines of communication to their kid, ensuring students are both safe and focused at school is a multi-faceted challenge.
Whether your child is starting up after-school activities and you need to have accessible after-hours communication or you have safety concerns and want an emergency line of contact with your little one, Paste BN Shopping researched ways you can prepare for your child's return to the classroom.
Below, you can find smartphone alternatives that can help monitor your child's location and give you a little more peace of mind this school year.
Note: State and county laws, regulations and school policies vary, which may affect the options available for your child's phones, smartwatches and other electronic devices. To ensure you choose the best option for your family, always verify with your local ordinances and school district guidelines.
- Shop phones for kids and teens
- Shop smartwatches for kids
- Shop devices for tracking and identification purposes
- Shop walkie-talkies for younger kids
Shop phones for kids and teens
Popular option for basic communication without internet
The Gabb Phone 4 is an excellent choice for younger children, providing unlimited talk and text along with GPS tracking. Its key feature is the complete absence of internet, social media and games, making it a safe introduction to a cell phone without the risks of the wider web. Parents love this smartphone that's designed for safety and simplicity.
Popular option for controlled app access
Pinwheel phones strike a great balance between functionality and safety, making them an ideal choice for older kids and tweens. It features a parent-managed app library, GPS tracking and a customizable contact list. Pinwheel allows you to give your child the device they want with the features you want, and then you can easily add more functions as they gain responsibility.
Popular option to grow with your child
The Bark Phone is generally designed for a wide age range of children, with its features being highly customizable to grow with them. It's often recommended for kids between 8 and 14 years old. The Bark Phone offers flexibility where parents need it. It allows parents to adjust the level of freedom and protection as their child's needs and maturity change, making it a good "first smartphone" that can evolve with the user.
Popular option for teens who want minimal distractions
The Light Phone for kids features calling, texting, an alarm clock and no internet or social media. This phone offers a sleek and compact design with a long battery life. The screen is made to mimic the screens on e-readers, characterized by its low power requirements, high visibility and contrast and wide viewing angle. When viewing the screen, there is no backlight like you would find on a smartphone.
Smartwatches for kids
Smartwatches for kids can help to offer GPS tracking, calling, texting with parental controls and many other features. There are many great smartwatches for kids to choose from, whether you want one that is linked to a mobile carrier like the Verizon GizmoWatch or a more basic option with a low-cost monthly subscription like the Gabb Watch 3. These are a few popular options:
Cosmo JrTrack 5 Kids Smart Watch
Verizon's GizmoWatch
Gabb Watch 3
TickTalk5
Devices for tracking and identification purposes
When a school district has strict policies against phones and smartwatches, keeping track of children can be a challenge for parents. As a solution to this dilemma, many are turning to digital ID tags and QR code bracelets. These identifiers are particularly useful for securely storing essential contact information and critical medical details.
These are some popular options:
Apple AirTag
Tile by Life360 Mate Bluetooth Tracker
AngelSense Personal GPS Tracker
Smart Bands for Kids
Shop walkie-talkies for younger kids
An alternative to smartphones and other tech devices is the classic walkie-talkie. These two-way radios are ideal for younger children, especially during after-school activities and field trips. Walkie-talkie technology has come a long way, and modern versions now offer some great new features such as, longer range, weather and emergency alerts, rechargeable batteries, privacy codes and more durable and waterproof designs.
Here's a look at some popular options:
Midland LXT500VP3 Walkie Talkies
Motorola T470 Talkabout Two Way Radios
Cobra RX680 Walkie Talkies
Our team of savvy editors independently handpicks all recommendations. If you purchase through our links, the Paste BN Network may earn a commission. Prices were accurate at the time of publication but may change.