A child-safe smartphone with built-in parental controls and remote monitoring features has been launched in the UK. Called Pinwheel, it’s a special operating system installed on certain smartphones and works with all major networks.
The US company says Pinwheel is a better option than giving kids a basic phone they might not like or a high-end smartphone without enough safety features.
Child-Friendly Smartphone with Parental Controls Debuts in the UK
Pinwheel phones let parents monitor their child’s text messages and call history, approve contacts, and set time limits for apps and chatting. It also has an app library tailored to the child’s age, without any social media apps or web browsers.
With growing concerns about how social media and screen time affect children’s physical and mental health, major phone makers and platforms have added parental controls and safety features in recent years.
However, these features are often scattered and require parents to create accounts on the platforms or use similar devices. Pinwheel says parents can monitor their devices through an online portal, available on desktop and mobile. They can also adjust settings as their child grows, adding more features when the child is ready to handle technology independently.
The firm’s chief executive and founder, Dane Witbeck, said: “Ever since we launched Pinwheel in the US a few years ago, word spread quickly among parents everywhere, including in the UK. We are so excited to finally be able to meet the demand for our phones here.”
He added: “Now parents and children have a way to stay connected and enjoy the benefits and fun of a smartphone – from sharing photos, texting friends, playing games and more, but with the guardrails and monitoring that keep everyone safe and reduce family conflict.”
“We believe our phones give families a way to help children develop healthy habits around digital device usage and screentime without the negative impacts and distractions of social media and open internet access.”
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