Parents want safer phones for kids. These companies are answering the call.

As parents look for alternatives to unrestricted smartphones, a growing number of companies are building phones designed specifically for kids, from feature-limited mobile devices to minimalist home phones. As parents become increasingly concerned about the potential dangers of unrestricted smartphone access for children, a growing number of companies are developing devices specifically designed for kids. Today’s kid-friendly phones typically feature touchscreens, cameras, and communication capabilities similar to regular smartphones. However, the software on these devices is heavily modified to remove or restrict access to web browsers, social media, app stores, and other distractions. Parents can usually manage these devices through a companion app, allowing them to approve contacts, monitor locations, set screen time limits, select available apps, and, in some cases, receive alerts regarding cyberbullying, explicit content, or online predators.

In addition to these modified devices, some companies offer a more minimalist approach, creating devices that focus solely on calling and texting. There are also home phones designed specifically for children, like Tin Can and the recently launched Pinwheel Home. Here’s a look at the major players shaping the kid-phone market. The Bark Phone is probably one of the most popular kid-specific smartphones on the market. Built on Samsung Galaxy hardware and powered by Bark’s monitoring software, it only allows calls and texts with approved contacts. Bark continuously scans texts,