Troomi vs Pinwheel - Kids Safe Smartphone showdown!
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- čas přidán 14. 02. 2022
- Parents who are looking for a kids safe smart phone for their kids are often torn between a Troomi phone or a Pinwheel. Both offer no internet capabilities, but there are some significant differences. If you are debating between getting your child a Troomi phone or a Pinwheel phone, check this video out!
This video lets you know where the phones are similar and what the differences are between them. Check it out and find out which one is right for your family.
GET 10% OFF YOUR PINWHEEL PHONE by clicking here www.pinwheel.com?via=familytech
Or check out the other "kids safe" smartphone - troomi.com?mct=A7pW5Yry
VIDEO REVIEW OF TROOMI - • New "kids safe" smartp...
Check out the Bark phone too - barkparentalcontrols.pxf.io/F...
Sarah Kimmel is a Microsoft Certified IT Manager, who is also a mom. She currently helps families understand and manage the technology in their homes through CZcams Videos, Instagram posts, podcasts, and her website Family Tech Zone. She can also be found as a family tech expert on various TV news shows and podcasts.
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I've caught a lot from my son on pinwheel with Bark, including him taking pictures of inappropriate things. He's very resourceful, so the bark on it has helped a lot.
Kristal, does bark catch those bad pix simply from the camera...or only when he sends or receives such pix via texting??
My children are no where near phone age yet, but this is so cool to know that this safety tech already exists. I’ll be ready when they are 👍🏻 👍🏻
So basically what you are buying with pinwheel is bark right? And the rest will be charged according to ur carrier if u get it with ours?
Are there options to turn off the camera completely with the Discover plan? I see how you can turn image messaging for specific contacts, but I'm worried they'd be able to take pictures and then just send them through email with this phone. Is that a thing?
Looks like they've upped the prices on troomi, unfortunately. Thank you so much for doing these reviews, it has been a huge help!
Pinwheel has lowered prices in a number of ways. 1) The $99 Genesis phone. 2) Our partner US Mobile launched a $6/month cell plan 3) We have our own annual plan that saves money as well. If you want the lowest price and the highest value, Pinwheel has both, no brainer.
I'm curious about the calls and texts, can it be left open for any contacts or do you need to specifically put in each contact that is able to call or text the phone? What happens if someone needs to contact them that isn't on the list? The contacts aren't my concern, mainly wanting the app limitations.
Pinwheel has this option, yes! Pinwheel has 3 ways contacts can be managed. We are the only ones with that much flexibility for parents to choose.
What do you use?
I need a app it only allow text from contact
What we need for our teen is talk,text & video chat so he can talk to his friends. We can't trust him to not download apps he doesn't need to be on.
Pinwheel has you covered!
I've spent a lot of time researching both of these. Troomi seems to be a more straightforward package where they manage the service. Pinwheel requires you to pay for internet service to a 3rd party and then you pay them for the management side and then you pay Bark some other stuff. This is cumbersome. It seems like it's also not so foolproof.
The second thing to compare is that Troomi gives you a white-list web browser where every single website has to be added to a list by the parent before it can be used. (They also give you Chrome, but with zero protection. Not even sure why they have this option.) I really like that and appreciate how this makes it a safe option. Pinwheel does NOT give you a browser, but they give you a much nicer collection of apps, like Southwest and Capital One. Two apps my son will definitely use. Judging from the speed at which Troomi is adding apps, I think if you want to give your kids some useful apps, then Pinwheel is the way to go.
Thanks for your thoughts! Pinwheel allows people to choose ANY wireless service, whereas you're stuck with what you get with Troomi.
One question what advantage these devices have over regular android with parental controls? And also do these phones work outside of US in other countries?
Pinwheel offers text monitoring, location monitoring, time limits, schedules (different modes for school/home), curated apps (over 1,200 curated apps), loophole blocking through VPN, monitored text messages and calls, emergency contact designation, and a lot more. It's just not really close between the built-in Android features and Pinwheel.
These customize the OS so option to remove basic Android parental controls aren’t even present. Additionally, there’s message and location tracking that’s not available through standard Android
COVID-19 Day? That’s hysterical!
Can you video call on either of them? We have GABB, but my son uses sign language only and needs to be able to video call. Can’t do that on GABB.
Pinwheel uses the GoogleDuo App. :)
@@wd1n10 Dies Google duo only work on wifi or does it work on cell? He needs video access even when away from wifi.
Not sure if I understand. Is the least expensive pinwheel I believe its 199$. Is it able to be added to our Verizon plan?
Pinwheel introduced a $99 option in Q4 2023. However that lowest cost option is NOT compatible with Verizon. We are launching a $199 phone that is compatible with Verizon in May 2024.
Can someone tell me which Samsung or Pixel model the Pinwheel Slim 5 is. I can’t find cases for that phone
Hi, Slim 5 is a Blu G91S.
How is the location tracking on the pinwheel?
It's great
My carrier doesn’t support pinwheel. The 15$ a month to pinwheel is a little off putting tbh. I’m already paying over 200$ for the phone.
There is not a business model that works here to sell smartphones with highly specialized software, offer great support, etc. and just sell a very low margin piece of hardware. Troomi combines the software with cellular, but you're still paying either way. With Pinwheel you can pick your cell plan. For example, we have plenty of customers on US Mobile Lite plan at $6/month for the cell service (must be bought annually). If you buy PW annual it's $13.75/month. That's $19.75 / month total and if you get our lowest price phone, that's $99... so you can't find a lower priced option than that combo if price is your main hurdle.
@@DaneWitbeck-ep7uu thanks for your reply. Companies need to make money and I get that. A lot of these companies have add on features that bring the bill up as you add the features in. So initially the price point seems reasonable until you start dogging. Anyway, I went with the Gabb phone. Worst mistake. Broke contract and bought an iPhone. Stripped that down and only have basics. I have an app used for monitoring everything. If I don’t want to actively search through my child’s messages and activity, I have it set up to alert for any strange or cautious behavior and it’s a better situation. Tbh
So I ordered the Pinwheel phone. My son using his android has been able to either go around bark or shut it off by exploiting bugs in the app. I’m hoping with the pinwheel that will resolve him being able to do as he pleases. Is there anything that you would recommend for the WiFi? I do have the bark box that connects to the router but I don’t love it.
I use a Gryphon router. I have a review on the channel.
Hi Matt, I'm sorry to hear about the shut off on Bark. I hope you're getting the notifications from them when it does get shut off? At least then you know and can even lock the phone via Pinwheel when you get those notifications (new feature!) We know it's an issue, though, and that the answer there isn't as good as having Bark always available. Luckily on Pinwheel there isn't nearly as much chance of things that you need to be concerned about even on the phone, and text messages all are monitored at the Pinwheel text portal regardless of Bark's status as well. We're working with Bark on this issue!
@@pinwheel8907
I will come back to bark eventually because they are far superior to others software I’ve tired. My current setup up now includes; Gryphon AX router (which is absolutely fabulous at keeping my children safe while using the WiFi) and the Pinwheel phone for my oldest son. He absolutely hates his phone because how good the parental controls are. I plan to order another one in the near future to replace my youngest sons phone (when funds come available).
It took me three days of aggressive searching to just find FaimlyTech (you’re great btw!), who turned me on to Pinwheel, Gryphon, etc. We are parents vs a network of children that are constantly trying to breakdown parental controls. Worst of all is I had to buy a router, phone(s) a subscription to pinwheel and bark to finally feel like a decent parent.
It’s unfortunate that we live in a world where it’s expensive and hard to protect our children from accessing inappropriate content that’s desensitizing them and forever shaping their minds. I could continue on my rant for about a week or two, but I have a feeling if your here reading this you already know what I am talking about.
God bless and good luck to all the parents just trying to keep your kids safe!
@@mattowens2674 your trials describe one of our 4. we tried various options on parental controls but she always found a way around them. Pinwheel & school issued laptops with school monitoring software installed has solved that issue. But like your son, she hates it bc it doesn't allow her to do the inappropriate things she kept trying.
Can you scan a QR code for a school sponsored event to check-in? I assume not because it will take you to that site and there isn't a browser on it?
That is correct. There is no browser so that will not work. You may want to check out the Troomi phone.
@@FamilyTech Thank you for the reply! I reached out to their customer service and they confirmed the same thing. That's a deal breaker as we need the possibility of a browser. I'm going with Troomi, as they have added the text monitoring features. It's that or an android with parental controls and Bark.
Just an update here. This works on Pinwheel with a 2024 update.
I'm curious: do these phones allow apps like signal, telegraph, or messenger?
Pinwheel includes FB messenger due their robust parental controls. It does not have the others by default. However, parents can turn on the Play Store with a 2024 update on Pinwheel.
Can they get Amazon
Hi. I am a 15 year old guy. Do you think I should still have a completely locked down phone? I don't have a bad history with this stuff because I live under a rock so my parents have not had the chance to observe my behavior with a device that is not as restricted.
Focus on how much your parents love you rather than how they are seemingly restricting you.
Everyday, I come home from school, the 1 st thing I do, is give my mom my phone...don't want any distractions, then I do my homework, then all the chores for that day, which must be done to my moms satisfaction. Then I do whatever she tells me to do with no back talk or arguing.
No one cares
@@Luca-co3md actually.....I don't care about what you think, so go back under your rock.
Pinwheel is the winner :)
The fact that they can get to a testy jar web browser is concerning. Everything inappropriate can be found.
Has Pinwheel fixed the internet thru ad issues?
Yes, Angel we saw your ticket and it's been fixed and closed. Thanks!
What about mmguardian...they have apps AND phones..
Just check the reviews
Have you heard of the new Bark phone?
Troomi is not responsive to any customer concern - there standard response is: 4 business days for a reply then you don't get one and they start all over. Poor customer service. Please don't waste your time on them. You'll thank me later.
Thank you for your insight. These are the two we are deciding between. Your experience is helpful to be aware of.
I was able to get someone on the phone in just a few minutes two times and they were both very helpful. I really want to see this company succeed. I let the agent know they need to be answering their emails a little better.
not the case anymore
Pinwheel has the BEST ratings for customer care. phone, text, chat... very responsive.
So...pinwheel is the way to go? 🧐
correct
looking at troomi but pinwhheels always there
Pinwheel gets it mostly right. I appreciate the curated app store, but I wish they let me add any app I want (post a disclaimer about apps you haven't curated if you must).
I'd like to give my son access to a game after his homework and chores are done (Roblox). It's not educational, but it is harmless, and all his friends play it. That is simply not possible on Pinwheel.
And Pinwheel has explicitly refused multiple requests to have Roblox added. (No explanation, just "denied" requests, despite many parents asking for it).
I want parental controls that put me in control. Pinwheel mostly does that. But in this instance they're substituting their judgment for my own. It's bizarre.
Roblox is actually had a LOT of problems, and I'm not surprised Pinwheel would reject it. I would too.
Good for you and Pinwheel.
But I'd like to make my own choices. I've played it with my son, and I'm fine with it. I do indeed understand the risks involved when you enable user generated content. Giving me the ability to enable Roblox doesn't prevent you from blocking it.
It's a frustrating situation. The big phone makers aren't building in the necessary tools for parent supervision (Family Link is close), but these "kids first" phone developers are too limiting. Especially for pre-teens / teens.
The end result is parents are going to abandon the safety features that Pinwheel provides in order to get their kids the features Pinwheel blocks. Ultimately, more kids are going to be in unsafe situations because Pinwheel is putting perfect before the good.
I want Pinwheel to sell me tools for control. Not making moral decisions for me.
I just seen this comment I’ve got to tell you as a mom of a teen and a pre teen. Roblox is NOT harmless. I would double check it. Even though you can disable chat and they have a system that filters words. Kids are resourceful and will find ways around it my pre teen is not even allowed on there. Minecraft is way more safer.
@@JamesTalmageR guess I should’ve checked to see the other comments on this thread. I do agree with you on the kids “first phones” being too limited. I’m at the point where I just might buy an older iPhone and use the screen time settings. Can I ask you what you decided on?
Roblox had a lot of inappropriate content on if for kids and can communicate with adults on it. I’m glad they don’t allow it on here
Sarah’s favorite is Troomi.
Sarah likes Pinwheel better for sure.
Wish you would give your opinion. I have no interest in watching your video(like I did) for over twenty minutes to learn information that I already researched myself. I am looking for real feedback pro and cons. I am not interested in your politically correct “I like them both” answer. Way to get ratings. Pass.
It's Pinwheel. haha
So the highest plan now is $29.95 on Troomi the only phone they have in stock right now is the 179.95 (?) Samsung a12. I used your coupon code today and saved 50 bucks! Thanks a million!!
Pinwheel has 5 phones to choose from from $99 to $599. We try hard to fit in any budget and meet the needs of different families.