Smartphone Alternatives
Unplugged Bialik has begun investigating phone alternatives for children that will bring their parents peace of mind.
Does your child want to begin using public transportation? Do they want to walk down the street to a friend’s house?
Many parents want to be able to connect with their children through a “non-smart” device while not having full internet, social media or app access. The phones listed below allow children to stay connected to their parents and their friends in a limited and safe way.
This is not an exhaustive list but reflects the start of our research. While we will not prescribe for other Bialik families what they should buy for their children, we will continue our research and make ongoing efforts to provide discounts and bulk buying opportunities for Bialik families.
Phones
Pinwheel
The Pinwheel phone is “designed for kids and managed by parents.” It has tracking, calling and messaging capabilities but excludes web browsers, app store and social media apps. Parents are able to add pre-approved apps to the phone from a parent portal.
Sunbeam F1 Pro Hickory
This flip phone from Sunbeam Wireless is durable and provides Waze, a camera and text and picture messaging. There are various different models available. It does not have a web browser, social media apps or an app store.
Torch
The Torch Mini 3.5" Phone is small and rugged with a secure browser-free operating system and essential apps only. It runs its own safe and secure experts-approved operating system. There are no recurring filter fees or filters that can be removed.
Brick
Brick is a small square physical device that temporarily removes distracting apps and their notifications from your phone. It keeps the tools you choose to keep on the phone and leaves the rest behind. For example, if your child needs to focus on doing their homework, you can block distracting social media apps for the time required and then unblock them later. No subscription is required.
FIG Flip II
The FIG Flip II X is a Kosher-certified flip phone featuring a 3.54-inch touchscreen and Waze navigation. It operates on an encrypted Kosher OS, includes 13 MP rear and 8 MP front cameras, and offers 64 GB storage with 4 GB RAM.
TCL Flip Go
The TCL Flip Go is a 4G LTE-enabled flip phone featuring dual displays: a 2.8-inch internal screen and a 1.44-inch external preview screen for notifications. It offers an intuitive interface with large buttons, dedicated shortcut keys, and a quick dial button for easy calling. Additional features include HD Voice functionality, dual microphones with noise cancellation, and a 2MP camera.
Suppliers
Grow Electronics
Grow Electronics is a Toronto-based company that carries alternatives to smartphones. Their mission is to enable safe and distraction-free connectivity. They specialize in offering phones and electronic devices designed without browsers, catering to both kids' safety and adults seeking to disconnect from technology while maintaining essential connectivity.
Rogers
As one of the main carriers in Canada, Rogers offers a select few alternatives to smartphones.
Bell
Bell Canada offers a range of smartphone alternatives and basic phones suitable for kids, including flip phones and talk-and-text devices with limited internet access. These options provide parental controls and simplified features, allowing for safer communication while reducing exposure to distractions and social media.