Kid Cell Phones

Firefly offers a couple of options for parents and children. The flyPhone has enough slick features to make tweens happy, but still includes a number of parental controls to keep things … well, under control. The glowPhone is the more basic model for kids, modeled after the first Firefly phone.

flyPhone ($99.99; available only at AT&T online store):

A snazzy looking phone, but still obvious that it’s not Mom and Dad’s. This model can hold up to 500 contacts and has 25MB of memory. However, there’s no multi-media messaging, which means all photos must be downloaded onto a computer. The flyPhone comes with a USB cable, although the wall charger will run you an extra $9.99. CNET said this of the call quality: “plenty of volume, but voices sounded sometimes tinny and other times hollow.”

For parents:
Uses AT&T and T-Mobile networks. Firefly offers its own service plans: Pay-as-you-go, or pay-by-the-month for each calling minute and text, plus a 35-cent daily access fee. By-the-month is the cheaper option, but there is a $15 minimum. Parents can limit incoming and outgoing calls and text messaging. The phone’s calendar can also be locked out.

What kids will like:
The flyPhone plays MP3s, and music can be organized by artist, album, track name and favorites. There’s a camera option, and it comes in three resolutions (640×460, 320×240, and 160×120). They can also watch videos, play the built-in games, and the flyPhone includes a flyKicks software CD that allows you to create and edit music, ringtones and video.

glowPhone ($49.99)

A very simple phone made for kids. Includes a full-color screen, built-in games and a flashlight.

For parents:
Parents can limit incoming and outgoing calls and text messaging. SIM card and wall-charger included.

What kids will like:
Comes in pink and black options. Plus they can customize rings and wallpapers.

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