G-mee smart devices aim to limit kids’ online exposure
The G-mee Plus smart player and G-mee Connect smartphone are aimed at parents who have kids asking for a smartphone for Christmas but who are concerned about online safety.
The Australian-developed devices are designed to give kids and pre-teens what they need for communication and entertainment while reducing their risk through features such as app locks, call blocking and the lack of a camera.
The G-mee Plus is a ‘smart player’, meaning it’s an entertainment device rather than a phone – there’s no SIM card for phone calls, texting or mobile data. Think iPod rather than iPhone.
The Android device has Wi-Fi, so parents can download apps from the Google Play Store and use the G-mee app lock to limit access and ensure only suitable, age-appropriate content is viewed.
It has a 5-inch plastic touch screen, expandable memory, a headphone jack, a built-in speaker and Bluetooth connectivity.
The G-mee Connect builds on the features of the Plus by adding 4G mobile connectivity – which turns it into a smartphone for kids who need greater independence.
Like the Plus, it has an app lock and doesn’t have a camera. And a further level of security is added by a CallBlock app which lets parents allow or disallow phone calls from specific numbers at specific times of the day.
Both devices come with free shipping and a case in red, green, blue, blue green or yellow.
The G-mee smart devices were developed by Aussie father Charlie Brown when he became concerned about online safety.
“My daughters wanted to use our old smartphones to listen to music in their rooms,” he says. “But my wife and I knew that once they were in their room, they could access any app or content online and we would be none the wiser.
“That’s when my wife, Rachael, and I talked about finding a device that had safety features, so that we could be sure that the content our kids are accessing is age appropriate and safe. When I couldn’t find anything already on the market that fit the bill, Rachael told me to ‘go out and make it!’
“One of the key things we’ve learned from the events of this year is that smart devices are now a necessity. So too is having an awareness of keeping safe online.”
G-mee Plus price
RRP $99.95
G-mee Connect price
RRP $149.95
