Screen and cellphone free Christmas reward that will get children speaking in security

Forget the phone, kids can now communicate screen-free in safety with a new piece of fun tech that parents control

Giving kids smartphones young is linked to physical, mental and social risks, so how can family keep in contact screen-free?

Christmas is a time for families to be together, but it’s also when many children get their first screen. Karri Messenger 2 offers another option, a gift that gets kids talking, playing and exploring, rather than staring at a phone. It brings back the simple, nostalgic ways families used to stay in touch and helps children stay off screens over the festive break and beyond.

Karri Messenger 2 is a voice messaging device for children aged 4 to 12+ that offers families an alternative to a first smartphone.

Kids slide a button and talk, a bit like a walkie-talkie – there’s no internet, social media or app store, and they can only message contacts their parents have approved.

Parents get GPS location tracking, geo-fence alerts and an SOS button, all managed through a companion app.

It was designed with Pentagram and Jon Marshall and named one of TIME’s Best Inventions of 2026. It has also won several design awards, including Gold at the Junior Design Awards 2026.

The launch comes as more parents look for alternatives to a first smartphone, amid growing worries about screen time and online safety. Karri Messenger offers a middle ground, more freedom than a basic tracker, and fewer risks than a smartphone.

It has no internet, social media or app store, and children can only message people their parents have approved. Parents choose who can get in touch, send and receive messages, and check where their child is through a simple companion app.

Pete Clifford, Co-Founder and CEO of Karri, said: “We created Karri for families who want to skip the smartphone, but not the connection.

“Messenger 2 gives children more freedom in the real world, while providing parents with peace of mind that they can still stay in touch when it matters. It’s designed to help kids build confidence and independence without introducing the distractions, pressures and risks that come with smartphones and social media.”

Karri Messenger 2 is available in multiple colours, a simple companion app for parents, a built-in torch and multi-chat functionality.

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