The Relay acts like a walkie-talkie but has the range of a cell phone. Its simple design makes it easy to use, even for little kids. By holding down the talk button, kids can send voice messages to other Relay devices or to a smartphone with the Relay app installed. A push notification alerts parents to a missed message when the app is closed.
The Relay app uses GPS to track the location of the Relay device—but it doesn’t use the GPS to add features like geofencing or location alerts. The built-in GPS is pretty accurate, though it does better outdoors than in an enclosed area like a mall. The sound quality is generally good, but make sure your kids know how to hold down the button securely so the message isn’t broken up.
Just for fun, the Relay offers channels with extra features like a music player and a voice changer with goofy sound effects. While the latter may not be exciting to a teenager, younger kids would love playing around with them. The device itself is sturdy and durable so there’s no stress about your kiddos destroying it.
The Relay costs around $50, which is comparable to some basic cell phones, but you don’t need to worry about too much screen time or adding parental controls. The service fee is a $9.99 per month, which is much better than most cell phone plans.
ASecureLife’s recommendation: For parents who are worried about too much screen time or don’t want their kids getting distracted by a phone, the affordable, screen-free Relay is the perfect solution.
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