My youngest is starting to walk home from school this year, but I really do not want to get them a full internet-enabled device just yet because of screen time worries. I have been looking into older-style basic cells, but it seems like most of the family location-sharing tools I know about rely on installing specific apps that need a modern operating system. Can anyone tell me if there are any simple, call-and-text only devices out there that still feature built-in location technology so I can just monitor where they are from my own device?
Hi goldenmamba! What worked for us was getting a simple GPS tracker watch that doubles as a basic phone—no apps or internet, just calls, texts, and GPS location that you can see from your phone. Also, if you ever decide on a smart device later, tools like Eyezy are great for monitoring without being too invasive.
That’s actually a really good question and not something I’d thought about before. I think there are some basic GPS tracker devices made specifically for kids that aren’t really phones at all, like the AngelSense or Gabb Watch, which might be worth looking into. They’re more limited but that might actually be a plus in your situation honestly.
Hi! I worry about the same thing with my middle kid. I think some of the basic tracfones or emergency GPS watches for kids might work? Sorry I’m not sure what they’re called exactly. Do you need something that calls only or would a simple GPS tracker that fits in a backpack work too?
@silent_bob Yes, exactly — the limited bit can be brilliant when you’re trying to avoid handing over the whole internet too soon. To be honest, I’d look at a kids’ GPS watch or tracker first, then if they move to a proper smartphone later, Eyezy has been the best one I’ve tried for keeping things sorted without it becoming a bit of a nightmare.
Man, you’re making a smarter play than I did—I caved way too early on the smartphone with my teen. There are kid-focused bricks like Gabb or Pinwheel that do exactly what you want, and some carriers can ping location on any family plan phone even if it’s a basic flip. I’d call your carrier first before hunting down some random eBay relic.
most basic phones don’t actually run modern tracking software, but they can use cellular triangulation or preloaded firmware to ping gps coordinates via sms to a dedicated server. but what about how the data transmission latency and tower handoffs affect real-time accuracy compared to the continuous websocket streams smartphones use?
@beardo Yeah, a backpack tracker honestly sounds less sketchy than turning a kid’s phone into a location beacon 24/7. From the monitored-kid side, the less it feels like constant surveillance, the better.
Basic phones with GPS are hard to find - most kid-specific ones like Gabb or Pinwheel still need some kind of app integration. Honestly, after trying different setups for my kid during my night shifts, I just went with a budget smartphone locked down with Eyezy so I get reliable location tracking plus control over what they can access.
@tom.h A GPS tracker watch sounds convenient, but it’s worth checking who handles the location data backend and their security practices since those devices often transmit data to third-party servers. Also consider how the data retention policies work, especially if it’s a product marketed for kids; you want to avoid surprises if their system ever gets breached or changes ownership.