Troomi phone for kids: Full Review, safety features & comparison

Are you looking for a kid-friendly smartphone with parental controls to keep your kids safe online? If yes, then your search seems to be over with Troomi Phone for Kids because it has built-in parental control features alongside restricting social media or internet access.

Here we’ll discuss in detail all of its features, including its subscription plans and more. We’ll also compare the Troomi phone with other kid-focused phones like Bark, Gabb, etc.; this way, you can better decide whether to make a purchase or not.

What is Troomi phone for kids?

Troomi is a kid-focused smartphone designed to help kids (7-15) safely explore the digital world. This phone indeed utilizes Samsung Galaxy A series hardware, but it is modified with Troomi’s highly secure KidSmart® OS. This KidSmart® software is actually pre-installed on its base operating system (Android 16). It means kids can’t bypass the restrictions as they do with any third-party parental tools.

Remember! Troomi Wireless is a digital wellness & telecommunications company founded in 2020 and headquartered in Orem, Utah. Their main slogan is to provide phones for kids that put safety first without sacrificing freedom.

Moreover, Troomi actually operates a mobile virtual network operator; that’s why it has a single network provider like AT& T nationwide. You know, when you unbox your Troomi phone order, you’ll get a Troomi device with a pre-installed SIM card, a USB cable & a manual.

Key features parents care about

When parents usually look for a phone for kids, the first question that arises in their mind is: How much control would they have with it? Likewise, they also wonder whether it’s a practical choice for everyday use & also about the costs. Considering such parental concerns, here we’ll break down the features of Troomi’s phone so parents can better understand whether it’s a fit for them or not!

Parental controls and messaging limits

When you start your Troomi phone, here you’ll find a parent portal via which parents can control different phone settings. For instance;

• Screen time limits: Parents can set time limits for different apps on this phone, thereby helping them create a predictable device use routine for kids.
• SafeList™ Contacts: Owing to this, parents can also set who their kids can text or call. Plus, all unknown numbers or spam call/messages get automatically blocked on this phone.
• GPS Location Tracking: Parents can also see their kids’ live location to get peace of mind about their safety, especially if traveling alone.
• Content filtering: Troomi phones also come with a feature that automatically detects any inappropriate images, text, GIFs, or even videos. Once detected, it may blur it or send an alert to parents depending on your activated settings.
• Kid-safe browsing: It also comes with a smart browser, letting parents self-pick the safe website domains while blocking everything else.

Phone hardware and durability

As mentioned earlier, Troomi hasn’t manufactured its phone hardware; instead, it uses Samsung Galaxy hardware. On their official website, they have mentioned in the product specifications that their Troomi Samsung Galaxy A17 5G has IP54, Gorilla® Glass Victus front, and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back. Although such specifications don’t give a 100% guarantee about their water/damage proofing, these make it suitable for kids’ everyday use compared to regular phones.

App ecosystem and internet access model

Furthermore, on the Troomi, there are no social media apps at all, which means kids can now stay focused on real-life activities. Likewise, games with chances of inappropriate content exposure, like Minecraft & Roblox, are also eliminated.

Troomi actually comes with its custom app store that contains almost 120+ apps free of any harmful ads or pop-ups. Furthermore, on this phone, internet access isn’t enabled by default; instead, it’s up to parents to decide whether to allow kids to browse or not.

Pricing and monthly plans

The Troomi phone actually costs $249.95 or $6.95/month, but if you visit the Troomi official website these days, you’ll find a Labor Day promotional offer. It means that you’ll get $100 off on its phones for a limited time by using the code LABOR26. However, this would only work if you buy this phone with monthly payments instead of paying in full.

In addition to this, Troomi comes with 3 phone service plans: Do, Dream & Discover. Each plan has its own features, which you need to subscribe to enjoy the parental control & safety features mentioned above.

Remember! Troomi, in their plans’ FAQs page, has also mentioned that their service plans aren’t a long-term commitment; these are just month-to-month, which users can cancel any time. Let’s dive in and closely look at its 3 plans, so you know better what these are and which to subscribe to!

Is Troomi a good fit for your child?

Although Troomi is kid-friendly, it wouldn’t automatically be okay for kids of every age because every kid’s needs are different. That’s why, to decide whether it’s a fit for your kids, look at its 3 subscription plans. These actually offer different levels of control, meeting different needs as mentioned above. For instance;

Age-based recommendations

• Younger children: If there are younger kids ready for their first phone, then you can get them a Troomi phone by subscribing to its Do plan. This plan introduces simple calling & texting, location tracking, text monitoring, or Parent Portal controls without Internet access.
• Tweens: However, tweens who are more mature than younger ones can enjoy Troomi’s Dream plan. This not only has Do plans’ features but also the additional features of video and group chats for enhanced communication.
• Teens: Teens, on the other hand, require some personal space and are also ready to take responsibility. That’s why subscribing to Troomi’s Discover plan would be wise fr teens, as it’s a more feature-rich plan. This also gives them access to Mobile Data and Troomi Smart Browser that provide age-appropriate browsing modes and an ad-free YouTube.

Family scenarios where Troomi is ideal

Families can consider Troomi if they are bringing their first smartphone for their younger kids to stay connected.

Families who want their younger kids away from social media can prefer Troomi’s phone environment.

Likewise, families whose kids often go to school alone in a bus/van, etc., can track their location without giving them Internet or social media access.

Even those families who want their kids to develop healthy device usage habits can get this phone.

Troomi vs other options

In the market, you’ll find many other kid-friendly phones or apps too in addition to Troomi. However, the ultimate choice depends on your kid’s needs and also how much control you want with that. Below is the table where we’ve compared Troomi with Bark and Gabb phones in terms of pricing and parental & safety features.

Troomi vs Bark vs Gabb

Troomi vs parental control apps

Troomi phone and a parental control app actually solve different problems. For instance, Troomi is a device having built-in restrictions, while parental control apps are installed on compatible regular smartphones. This means parents who already have smartphones for their kids can try installing parental control apps for safety. Those who are thinking of giving a first phone to their kids with restrictions can go for Troomi.

The point to note here is that Troomi has only built-in restrictions that work inside the phone environment, right? What if your kid also uses any other regular Android tablet for learning purposes, etc. In this scenario, you can install a parental control app like FlashGet Kid to add a layer of protection from Internet toxicity.

FlashGet Kids comes with features like Camera Snapshot and One-Way Audio, with which parents can keep an eye on kids’ surroundings. Thereby not only helping verify physical safety but also letting parents check whether they actively listen in their virtual classroom or not. You can not only set screen time, content monitor, and geofence but also mirror your kids’ mobile screens and see live what apps or videos they are watching.

Conclusion

In summary, if you want to decide whether Troomi is the best fit for your family or not, you first consider your kids’ age & maturity. Troomi phone, with its parental controls, indeed provides a structured environment for kids. However, Common Sense Media experts have recommended combining open communication alongside parental control tools for trust. Experts at the American Academy of Pediatrics also recommend devising family media rules according to kids’ age and then using technology just to support them.