Parents demanding safer digital options for their children are driving a wave of innovation among handset makers, with a growing roster of companies now offering phones stripped of the most harmful online features. From heavily modified smartphones to minimalist home handsets, the devices aim to give families the connectivity they need without the risks of unrestricted internet access.
Among the most prominent is the Bark Phone, built on Samsung Galaxy hardware and powered by continuous monitoring software that scans texts, emails and photos for signs of cyberbullying, grooming or suicidal ideation. Parents receive alerts and can gradually unlock features as a child matures. Gabb takes a different approach, removing web browsers and app stores entirely in favour of preloaded tools and a curated music library. Both require monthly service plans, with prices starting at roughly £24 per month.
Pinwheel offers a more flexible system, allowing parents to create daily 'modes' — limiting the phone to calls and navigation during school hours, for example, before unlocking games and messaging after homework. The company recently launched two landline models, priced at £68 and £79, and a smartwatch. Ooma MyPhone goes further still, offering a dedicated home phone that permits calls only between approved contacts, positioning itself as a modern replacement for the traditional family landline.
The regulatory landscape is shifting in parallel. The UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) is expected to update its Age Appropriate Design Code, while the EU AI Act, which came into force last year, imposes strict obligations on platforms and device makers to assess risks to children. Dr. Priya Sharma, a child safety researcher at the University of Cambridge, said: 'The market is responding to genuine demand, but the real test will be whether these devices remain secure as kids get older and more tech-savvy. For UK businesses, there is a clear opportunity to lead in privacy-first hardware, but they must also navigate the compliance costs of both UK and EU rules.'
For UK consumers, the devices represent a tangible step towards reclaiming control over children's digital lives. However, the cost of hardware plus monthly subscriptions — often exceeding £30 a month — may put them out of reach for lower-income families. Analysts suggest that if major retailers like Currys or mobile networks such as EE begin stocking these phones prominently, the market could expand rapidly, potentially driving down prices and encouraging mainstream adoption.