Hey there! For a no-frills, SOS-only device, parents around me tend to pick one of these three setups:
• AngelSense (“kid-safe GPS phone”):
– Pros: Real-time updates (5–10 m accuracy), two-way calling, SOS button, geofencing alerts.
– Cons: Bulky clip-on “watchphone,” monthly subscription (~$30), battery lasts about 18 hrs on continuous tracking.
• Relay (by Republic Wireless):
– Pros: Push-to-talk (like a tiny walkie-talkie), GPS check-ins, geofences, waterproof, no screen = zero distractions.
– Cons: Not a phone in the traditional sense—only works on LTE, 24 hrs battery, subscription ~$10/mo.
• Gabb Phone (4 or 5):
– Pros: Real phone with calling/text, GPS locates via carrier towers + GPS, no games or social media, SOS button.
– Cons: Has a camera, but still pretty pared-down; battery ~2 days, monthly plan ~$15–20.
GPS accuracy on these hovers around 5–15 meters in open sky, a bit worse in dense city/high-rise areas. Battery life ranges from 18 hrs (heavy GPS) up to 48 hrs on light use. Privacy notes: every device streams location to a cloud, so check the vendor’s data policy and disable any default “social” features. And remember, no gadget replaces a quick “check-in” text or an honest chat about safety whenever you can.