The First Phone Decision: Gabb, Bark, Troomi, or a Locked-Down Hand-Me-Down
Last verified: August 2026
The first phone is a big step, and the choices are confusing. This lays out the popular kid-safe phone services against the simplest option of all — an old phone, locked down — so you can pick with confidence.
About choosing a first phone
There's no single right answer — it depends on your child's age and how much freedom you want to give. The kid-phone services each take a different approach. Gabb is the minimalist: calls, texts, and GPS with no open internet, no app store, and no social media, with plans around $25 a month on the Verizon network — great for younger kids (roughly 9–14).
Bark Phone leans into monitoring and safety: it can grow with your child, allowing more apps over time while watching for concerning messages, with plans around $35 a month on the T-Mobile network. Troomi sits in between, offering a curated kids' app store on the AT&T network so you approve exactly what's allowed. (All prices vary and change — check current plans before buying.)
The fourth path is often the smartest for families on a budget: take a phone you already own, wipe it, and lock it down with the free built-in controls (Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link). You get a familiar device and full control without a special plan — see our parental-controls guide.
When to skip the DIY and just call: Picking the right option for your child's age · Setting up whichever phone you choose, safely · Wiping and locking down an old phone as a first phone.
Common Questions
1 How do I decide between them?
- For a young child who mainly needs to reach you: Gabb's calls-texts-GPS simplicity is hard to beat.
- If you want to watch for trouble and let the phone grow with your child: Bark's monitoring is the strongest.
- If you like approving each app on a normal-feeling phone: Troomi's curated store fits.
- If cost matters most and you're comfortable with settings: lock down a hand-me-down for free.
2 What do these services actually cost?
- Expect roughly $25/month for Gabb's basic plan, plus the price of the phone (often around $100–$200).
- Bark Phone runs about $35/month with unlimited talk and text, with data add-ons available.
- Troomi's phones and monthly plans land in a similar range, varying by the access level you pick.
- Confirm today's pricing on each company's site — these plans change often and run frequent promotions.
3 How do I lock down an old phone instead?
- Back up and fully erase the old phone (factory reset) so none of your data remains.
- Set it up under a child account: Apple's Family Sharing for iPhone, or a child Google account with Family Link for Android.
- Turn on Screen Time (iPhone) or Family Link (Android) to set limits, filter content, and approve apps.
- Add only the apps you approve, and remove the app store's ability to install more without your OK.
4 What network coverage should I check?
- Gabb runs on Verizon, Bark on T-Mobile, and Troomi on AT&T — pick one with good coverage in Portage County and wherever your child goes.
- If a friend uses a certain carrier successfully at your child's school, that's a good sign.
- A locked-down hand-me-down can use any carrier and plan you like, including cheaper ones.
- Coverage matters most for a phone whose whole job is reaching your child.
5 When is a child ready for a phone at all?
- There's no magic age; readiness is about responsibility and genuine need (like walking home or after-school activities).
- Consider starting with a kids' smartwatch for calls and GPS before a full phone (see our smartwatch guide).
- Whatever you choose, pair it with clear family rules from day one.
- Start locked-down and loosen over time — it's far easier than clamping down later.
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