Connecting Kids

Before You Go

By Anthony Bucci, Assistant Editor On Jan 29, 2016

New Jersey-based entrepreneurs Mike Dean and Todd Bernstein hope to reduce the number of children reported missing every year with KidsConnect – a small cell-phone-like device that is an “all-in-one security solution for parents.”

“There are hundreds of thousands of kids each year that are reported missing in the United States,” Dean says. “The numbers are staggering to us, so we saw a need for the device we developed.”

KidsConnect is a parental controlled device aimed at children ages 4 to 11. Its features include built-in GPS, real-time tracking, voice monitoring, four pre-programmed numbers and an “SOS” button.

“Everything on the phone is controlled by parents,” Dean says. “The four pre-programmed numbers are loaded on to it via a web interface, and those numbers are the only ones from where calls can be sent and received. Parents also like the device’s Geofencing feature, which will send a text if a child leaves a set predetermined location or perimeter, such as school, the playground or a friend’s house.”

Dean says that during the development of Kids-Connect, the most important aspects were providing optimal safety features, followed by ease of use.

“Parents want to know where their kids are, what they are doing and how to get in touch with them if there is an emergency, so safety was the No. 1 concern for us,” Dean stresses. “Kids also like to have their own ‘phone’ and to be able to call their parents when need be, so simplicity is important to allow young children to do that.”

KidsConnect costs $79.99, is available in black or white and requires a service plan that starts at $12.95 per month for 100 talk minutes, including unlimited GPS tracking.

“Even the cheapest cellphone plans today begin at $35 to $45 a month and they aren’t suitable for young kids,” Dean says. “We feel that providing kids with KidsConnect and 100 talk minutes are enough to give parents peace of mind – and that in itself is worth it.”

Moving forward, Dean and his partner Bernstein will be introducing a similar product aimed at senior citizens, as well as a smartphone app targeted towards older children, which will provide nearly identical features as KidsConnect.

“We have targets to get these products launched this year, and hope to get KidsConnect into retail stores,” Dean says. “Right now, we are only selling the product on our website and on Amazon.com, among other online retailers.

“Ultimately, we developed this product to help keep kids safe,” Dean concludes. “As a parent myself, I recognized what I would have liked to have when my kids were younger. KidsConnect is definitely something I would have given them. Today, we live in a connected world with many dangers and emergencies, so it is important for kids to be connected as well.”

 

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