(free) 'safe' phone for Children

tim_n

https://www.teddyfone.com/index.shtml

did search on the forums, but nothing obvious on this.

It's a phone designed specificially for children that has reduced emissions, only calls four numbers, doesn't text or download or even have a screen for that matter. Even has an SOS facility to track your child (free).

tbh, give this to 15 year olds and watch them suffer... that'll mean they pay attention in class & no more horrible txt speak (like mine...)

Oh, it's free too. You're just paying for the call costs!

Edinburghlass_2

I think my soon to be 15 year old would leave home if I gave her this :eek:


where can I order, lol.

tim_n

hehe - is that more of a reason? :- )

Remember, it's only that way because it's unattractive to muggers!

marylou_3

I'm a bit concerned about this phone; if I've read the details correctly it can be used to listen in on what is happening around it; can see no end of trouble in some situations.

lucidamike

On the web site it says that it is free for 24 months but haven't time to go through T&Cs to see what happens after 24 months - are there any charges

tim_n

true, but it's got a normal number, just like a normal mobile. It's not as if anyone would conciously know that that particular number was a teddy phone. Unless they've bought banks of numbers. Even so, I'd imagine it requires a special code or signal to listen into the childs conversation, otherwise why wouldn't it ring? Quite handy to check up on teachers/baby sitters etc On the whole I'd feel a little big brotherish giving this to any of my non-existant children, but it's not the kind of phone that they're going to carry into their teenage years...

mjenn5

Possibly interested in this. Has anybody gone for it?

I called them and they said it was on the Vodafone network but when I called vodafone to check they didn't seam to know anything about it. When I called Teddyfone back they said that Vodafone should know about it.

I asked them what happens after the 24 months and she said she had know idea and that there may be a fee involved then but it would be ok to cancel it after the 24 months and you would get to keep the teddyfone.

I asked what would happen if the teddyfone was lost and she said it would have to be reported lost/stolen and a new one should be issed possibly with a small fee.

What they need from you is name address, phone number, Bank account and sort code.

The phone takes up to 28 days to arrive.

I would be interested in opinions on this one.

5limJim

am pretty sure you might all think this a bit daft of me, but this might be handy for my 7 year old niece, she's at that age now where she's starting to play a little further away from home, but she's also into the 'cutesy' things too so the teddy bear look about it might appeal to her (Am firmly against kids having a fully functioning mobile phone with jazzy screens and Crazy Frog ringtones a go go!!)

veloo

BEWARE! I just had a call from Teddy Phone, who wanted all my personal details, including my Date of Birth, Bank Details, etc. He said that he didn't have any of these details on hand, and he wanted all details again, so he could send me the Teddy Phone.

This sounds like one of these Banking Scams, where these fraudsters call up asking for all personal details, and then they use these for forgery.

I had to tell this chap that I was not willing to give him my bank details, and when he mentioned that he wouldn't send me the Teddy Phone, I told him to cancel this order. This is long overdue by some months now, and I had forgotten about this.

Edinburghlass_2

They would want your bank details as this phone turns into a contract where you are paying a monthly charge of I think £5.

There are other threads on the forums about this which I will try and find later as I think one is on the Freebie board.

seanparkin

Sorry but I think that due to potential risks of mobile phones to young children, anybody who buys these for their kids are plainly irresponsible.