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Today, I want to share one of my best pieces of parenting advice, and it’s all centered around the Gabb Phone! Because we love the Gabb Wireless kid-safe cell phone and think you will too!

We made 12 years without buying Abby a cell phone, but as she was about to enter middle school, making more friends, and busy with activities, Matt and I knew the time had come. We wanted her to have a way to keep in touch with us while out and about and a way to stay in the loop with her friends and family. 

I also wanted to be able to see where she was without having to bombard neighbors with texts checking in constantly. We knew we did not want her to have unlimited access to the internet, social media, and distracting apps. So, we were thrilled when we learned more about Gabb Wireless and their kid-safe cell phone!

I purchased this phone myself, and we paid for our service, but I was so happy with the product that I reached out to Gabb Wireless personally to see if we could work together.   

I am thrilled to partner with them, and while this post is not sponsored, they have given me a promo code (LIFESTYLE) to share with you. It will always give you the best discount currently available!

Gabb Wireless Kid-Safe Cell Phone

This company has been on my radar for quite a while, and to be honest, now that we have a Gabb Wireless cell phone, my only regret is that we didn’t get one a little bit sooner. 

The is considered a safe cell phone for kids primarily because it is internet-free.   While it looks similar to a smartphone, its main functions are to call, text, take photos, and listen to music.   The apps on a Gabb Wireless phone include a calculator, calendar, contacts, files, radio, photos, video, music, and a few other essentials.

What you won’t find on a Gabb Wireless cell phone are games, social media, the internet, and other apps. It’s basically like phones were twenty years ago. It’s just a phone.  

While you could just get your kid a flip phone from your local service provider, the Gabb Phone offers more features (such as GPS tracking), and I believe it is the best cell phone for kids on the market right now. Plus, you don’t have to press the 7 four times to get an S. Remember those days?

And the Gabb Wireless phone has Bluetooth, too!

Why I Don’t Want My Kid to Have a Smartphone

Before I talk more about this phone and our experience with it, I want to share why I don’t want Abby to have a smartphone right now. 

 If you know me well, you know that I have a pretty laid-back parenting style.  Matt and I don’t consider ourselves to be strict or overly cautious parents.  In fact, we are always encouraging our kids to make their own decisions and make the most out of life.   

Our kids have iPads and Chromebooks.  They watch Netflix and YouTube.  But, when it comes to having a portable computer in hand 24 hours a day, I have strong convictions.  I don’t want my kids to have a smartphone right now.  Down the road, we will get them smartphones, but just not this early.   Here is why!

Distracting Apps and Screen Time For Children

I bet that a majority of adults, when asked, consider themselves addicted to their smartphones. With apps sending notifications all day, we have developed a Pavlovian response to pick it up many times each hour. I struggle to manage my screen time, which is not a pressure I want to put on my 12-year-old daughter. 

In fact, she has an iPad (both kids do) where we use Apple’s settings to manage notifications and monitor screen time (read my post here). They are almost always requesting more time. Furthermore, I like keeping the games and streaming as a treat on the ipads.

We have a long way to go before we truly understand what this high screen usage is doing to the adult brain, let alone in kids whose brains are still developing. A Gabb Wireless cell phone takes the distracting apps out of the equation.

Social Media and Kids: The Case For A Kid-Safe Cell Phone

I love social media. I have personal accounts, blog accounts, and business accounts, which are a big part of my daily life. I am on Instagram quite a bit.

So, what do I have against social media? Nothing! It’s a very useful tool, and I have used it to stay close to family and friends for a decade now. However, I don’t want my 12-year-old daughter on social media quite yet. Of course, the initial reason would be safety, especially regarding online predators.

But I don’t want Abby on social media mainly because it comes with a whole new set of pressures. Think back to your childhood. I am sure it was hard enough to see a group of friends walking around the mall laughing as you walked out of JCP with your mom and siblings. The feeling of exclusion is one of the most harrowing human experiences.

These days, with the instant nature of Snapchat, TikTok, and Instagram, it is very easy to see where everyone is without you, and that does nothing to help the self-esteem of a growing child. Cyberbullying by teens and tweens is not always intentional but hurts nonetheless.

Of course, I tell her not to worry about it and to be true to herself, but I would rather take social media out of the equation for now, and Gabb Wireless does just that. Not to mention, it’s also tough to monitor and keep tabs on all of the apps mentioned above. I want my kid to be able to be a kid!

Why Do Kids Need a $1000 Phone?

Seriously, why?  I cringe at the thought of losing or breaking my own iPhone.  They are more expensive than ever! 

What I love about Gabb Wireless’s simple cell phone for kids is that it’s only $149.  And you can get it for less with our special code below!  This makes it very easy for the child to replace if needed and helps establish a personal sense of responsibility.

What Makes The Gabb Phone a Kid-Safe Cell Phone?

The reason I consider Gabb Wireless to be the best cell phone for kids is that it does not have internet.   

This gives a child or tweens a safe way to communicate with parents and friends with significantly less risk.   Gone are the dozens of accounts and messaging apps to monitor, as well as the constant distractions.  I mean, they have their whole lives to be a slave to their phone.  Why start now?

The MyGabb App & Location Tracking

Parents can monitor their child’s phone via the MyGabb app.   The app allows a parent to track the phone’s location down to the house, which is one of my favorite features! You can also send a message or call the phone from the app, and there is a feature that plays a loud sound for those times you can’t quite find it.

Gabb Wireless Kids-Safe Cell Phone FAQ

There isn’t much more to share about the Gabb Wireless cell phone because it is that simple! Refreshing, right?

So, here are a few of the main questions you may have, and as always, you are welcome to leave me a comment here or shoot me a message on Instagram. And I am happy to chat more about this perfect cell phone for kids!

How Much Does a Gabb Wireless Kid-Safe Cell Phone Cost?

The Gabb phone retails for $149, and you can save by using our unique promo code LIFESTYLE!  The phone ships for free, comes pre-activated and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

There are two options for service.  The Gabb Plan runs $24.99 a month. No contract is required. However, if you do a one-year or two-year contract, you can save on the phone itself.

You can add on Gabb Music for $ 4.99/month and the group + image texting for $2/month.

Click here to browse plans and learn more about the Gabb phone and their smartwatch! 

Does Gabb Wireless Require A Contract?

Nope!  Gabb Wireless provides unlimited talk and text coverage on a month-to-month basis. You can choose to do a contract and save money on the initial phone purchase.

Where Does Gabb Wireless Have Coverage?

Gabb Wireless has nationwide coverage similar to other cell providers.  On their site, you can also put in your zip code and double-check that your location is covered.

How Does Gabb Wireless Pick Your Phone Number?

The phone number associated with your phone is based on your zip code.

Do Gabb Phones Have GPS?

They do have a map in the parent’s MyGabb app that shows their location via GPS. 

Can You Add Apps From the App Store to a Gabb Wireless Phone?

No. Or should I say no thank you? There is no ability to add apps (including social media apps) from traditional app stores, so there is no pressure to do so!

Gabb Wireless Promo Code

Looking for a Gabb Wireless promo code? 

You are in luck!  Gabb Wireless set up a special code for my readers!  You can use this on the Gabb phones or the Gabb watch.

By clicking through my link below or entering code LIFESTYLE, Gabb will automatically apply their current and best available discount to your shopping cart!

Gabb Wireless Phone Accessories

Once you purchase your phone, there are a number of great accessories available for purchase on Amazon. Here are a few that you may want to consider:

Should You Get a Gabb Wireless Kid-Safe Cell Phone For Your Child?

That’s up to you! 

The great thing about this parenting gig is that there is no right or wrong way to do it. Every family and every child is different. So, I am not shaming anyone who has given their child a smartphone. However, if it’s not working out for you or you are not quite ready to give your kids a smartphone, this may be an excellent option for you. Or at least consider setting screen time and app limits on their smartphone. It’s easy!

I am not against phones in general and actually think that it is vital to be able to contact your children! I may have run late to pick her up from practice on more than one occasion, and it would have been nice to have been able to let her know that I was running late.

We also have some fun adventures planned this summer, and one involves the kids flying solo for the first time ever! I am so glad I decided to get this Gabb Wireless phone now to have peace of mind when they travel later this month. Whether you like it or not, these kids grow up. So, please don’t make them grow up too fast!

And, as always, thanks for following my little blog and reading my Gabb Wireless review.

I hope that you found this article about kids’ cell phones informative, and would love for you to leave me a comment if you purchase a Gabb Wireless phone for kids!

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