Firefly Mobile Phone for Kids
More High-Tech Toys
I suppose it was bound to happen eventually, in our society of instant access and constant contact. There are now cell phones specifically designed for kids: the Firefly mobile phone.
Most parents who buy their kids cell phones do so supposedly to keep in touch for safety reasons. Personally, I think it just introduces kids to the communication addiction that is so common these days. Personal bias aside, these are very neat little phones.
There are currently 3 models: the original Firefly, the glowPhone and the feature-packed flyPhone. According to their website, only the original Firefly is actually available at this time. The other two models are marked "preorder now", so it sounds like they are not out on the market just yet. They also have wall chargers and car chargers available.
The phone service is available in monthly plans, or in a pay-as-you-go plan, with no activation fees. There is extensive coverage across the country, but some areas will not have service (mainly the central USA). They have a map on their site, for more information.
The Original FireFly
This is the best one for kids, in my opinion. It's funky looking, with only 5 keys for simple usage. There is a phone book that can hold 20 numbers, and parental controls to limit calls to those stored numbers. It has 2 speed-dial keys for Mom and Dad. Cost: $39
The glowPhone
The glowPhone as a few more features but is still fairly basic for kids. There is a large full-colour screen, along with ringtones, wallpapers and built-in games.
Like the original, it has a simple 5-key keypad, hotkeys for Mom and Dad (including the same parental controls for usage). It also has a small flashlight. Cost $49
The flyPhone
The Cadillac of mobile phones for kids (as if it were really necessary). If you want your children to have full multi-media capabilities when away from home, this is the phone for you. Same parental controls, but now the phone book can hold 500 numbers. No hotkeys for Mom and Dad, though. This model has a full-colour screen, can play movies, MP3s and video games.
You can customize the phone with ringtones and wallpapers. There is even an integrated camera for photo taking on the go. The touch keypad changes to create a standard phone keypad, or to provide a typical game controller when playing games. This is a more complex phone and more suited for older children or teenagers. Cost $129
Firefly Phones on Ebay
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Brand New Firefly Pink GlowPhone GSM (Unlocked) Great phone for Kids
Current Bid: $32.99
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Firefly Mobile - Phone for kids! " NEVER OPENED!" AT&T and T-Mobile compatible
Current Bid: $14.57
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Brand New Firefly Black GlowPhone GSM (Unlocked) Great for Kids
Current Bid: $32.99
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Comments
I have a very very good reason for my 10 year old to have a mobile phone - when he goes to see his father, his father doesn't have a phone. His father is diabetic and is not good at controlling it (is in denial). I can't stop my son going to see his father, but I can give my son a phone that phones ONLY me. I don't have the money to give him a phone that can dial all numbers, I can't afford it, but a flyphone gives him the ability to call me if the need arises and I don't have to shell out for him calling his friends.
i like reali much
I agree that most parents who buy their kids cell phones do so supposedly to keep in touch for safety reasons. Like me, I bought my kids the just5 phone for them to be able to contact me just in case there is an emergency. I don’t think that buying Just5 phone just introduces kids to the communication addiction that is so common these days because I oriented them well to use it for important communications. Check www.just5.com for details.
that a good phone im geting it..:)
A simple cell phone with practical features is the best cell phone for children, indeed. I would also like to share one more option that was cited in this article, the Just5 Easyphone. I really like this phone for children as this doesn’t only offer simple features but as well as an emergency response system, which can really be useful in securing their safety.
We use kajeet for our kids. It's a great company that has been around for a long time. They don't advertise much because their primary method of sales is online. They offer free parental controls and you don't have to sign a contract. It's prepaid but they have monthly plans that start at $5. It's a great way to start your child on their 1st phone. You can control everything from who they call and when they can use their phone. They have low priced phone to expensive smart phones. They are always having sales on their units. But if you shop from http://www.kajeet.com/bigdeal you will always get 15% off your purchase. That is a discount link provided by the company that will save you some money. Check out their plans and phones. They have a 30 day guarantee so it pretty much risk free. We love it and so does our son.
mobile phone gal 4 years ago
great hub, I wish they had more like this in UK but for some reason they do not promote phones for kids here despite the fact that a growing army of mobile tweenies exist.