repair of advertised options

ddowers

The question is, when will these features be functional on the Gabb4Pro?

Contact Management: Web description says kids can request a contact be added on their device from their own “pre-existing” contact list. The parent is supposed to be able to choose the option to approve a new contact “From child’s contact list”, but when that selection does NOT display and the contacts from the kids device. If I want to control/add contacts, looks like I have to manually input them to the approved list myself, which is a pain and not what I expected from this product.

Device and app time limits: There is not an option for the parent to set device and time limits from their own device. It has to be done on the kids Gabb under the Digital Wellbeing setting. So, what’s to stop the kid from changing their time limits on the device? The time settings are not locked with a password? These setting should be available on the parents device, and there should also be an option to totally lockout the Gabb.

Under Digital Wellbeing, there is an option for “parental controls”. This would be great, if it actually worked. Click the option and it takes you to a Google “Set up parental controls” page. When you try to go to the next step (child needs to “sign in”), the device won’t allow it. So while it looks like Gabb is providing this option, they actually aren’t. Another expectation that was not met by Gabb. If they aren’t going to allow you to set it up, why do they show it as an option.

Gabb Product

Hello @ddowers,

Thanks for this post. Happy to clarify on some of these items:

1. Contact management. On Gabb phones (like the Gabb Phone 4 Pro), kids can add contacts freely to their device. Parents can optionally create a managed contact list (contact management) using the Gabb Messenger Parent app on iOS (this feature is coming to Android soon as well). Contacts added to the Gabb phone will sync with the Gabb Messenger Parent app, allowing them to create an approved contact list should they desire. The child would then only be able to text the approved contacts. This approved contact list also applies to phone calls for our Gabb Phone 3 Pro, Gabb Phone 4 Pro and Gabb Phone 4. There is some work being done to make contact management more reliable (see this Discussion).
2. Regarding the “Digital Wellbeing” on the Gabb Phone 4 Pro, that is a standard Samsung option on the phone. This is great feedback about being able to manage device and app time limits. Our product team is aware of this need and is working towards this ability in the future. You can also make posts to our Feature Idea section of the discussion forum for others to upvote on.
3. Regarding “parental controls” under the mentioned Samsung “Digital Wellbeing” area we do block access to signing into a Google account. This would open access to a more robust Google suite and potential content/access issues. We do not currently have the ability to block this option. We understand that this standard “Digital Wellbeing” area on the device isn’t sufficient for many needs, so we’re working towards building some of these features ourselves to allow parents to manage screen / app time limits etc.

On our Gabb Phone 4 Pro, the device is free from social media apps and web browsers and parents can approve 3rd party apps to the device when on an Advanced plan. Additionally, using the Gabb Messenger Parent app they can be notified of harmful messages and create an approved contact list as mentioned above. Gabb parents can also GPS locate their child’s device using the MyGabb App on their smartphone. Our product team is working to improve these features and add additional functionality, like being able to manage screen and app time limits.

Hope this information helps!

-Gabb Product Team