We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Electronics

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Firefly Phone?

By J. Beam
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 12,240
Share

A Firefly phone is a mobile phone specially designed for younger kids. The Firefly phone features only five buttons on the faceplate, which are picture-coded and designed to be pre-programmed by parents. The Firefly phone is kid-friendly in design and has a clip for attaching to backpacks.

The five buttons on a Firefly phone consist of green and red call buttons to begin and end a call, and mom and dad buttons with symbols similar to those used on public restroom doors to indicate gender. There is also a directory button that will hold up to 20 numbers programmed by mom or dad. On the side of a Firefly phone is a 911-assistance button. The Firefly phone is designed to be simple enough for a child to use and durable enough to withstand normal use by a child.

Many parents find value in being constantly connected to their kids, especially when children start preschool or kindergarten and spend part of their day at school and part of their day at daycare. With a Firefly phone, parents can provide a simple way for kids to reach them at work without needing to remember numbers. It also prevents older children from calling friends unnecessarily and racking up expensive bills.

Mobile service with a Firefly phone can be purchased on a pay as you go plan with pre-paid minutes or contracted through a Firefly approved cellular service provider. Pre-paid minutes can be purchased online, by phone, or with pre-paid cards available at select stores with a cost of US$.25 per minute. There are of course a variety of accessories available for Firefly phones, just like a grown-up phone, including hands-free headsets, carrying cases and different colored shells you can swap out just like a regular phone's faceplate. Consumers can purchase a Firefly phone for around US$100 from several retailers, including Target and Toys-R-Us, or online directly from Firefly.

Share
EasyTechJunkie is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By Rotergirl — On Oct 09, 2014

Firefly phones are great for kids, and especially for parents who want more control over what -- and who -- their children are calling. I got one of these phones for my daughter, and even though she wanted one that had all the bells and whistles on it, this was perfect. We programmed our numbers, grandparents' numbers and two neighbors' numbers in it, along with the two friends she sees the most. So she's not calling anyone we don't know about.

It sounds kind of like a dictatorship, but my view is, if I'm buying the phone and paying for it, then my rules apply. When she gets old enough to get a job and buy her own phone and pay for the use, then she can call and text all she wants to.

By Pippinwhite — On Oct 08, 2014

My mom is 86 and really, a Firefly phone would be a great option for her! She doesn't call that many people and 20 numbers would just about take care of all her calling needs. She has a landline for other things, but a Firefly with a 911 button would be great.

A smartphone would hopelessly confuse her and there aren't many phones still available that aren't smartphones. She just doesn't need that. I've seen another phone especially for older people called a Jitterbug phone. I wonder if they're made by the same company that makes the Firefly? I've thought about one of those phones for her, too. She needs something that's very simple to use and isn't a huge change from the old Nokia candybar phone she has now.

Share
https://www.easytechjunkie.com/what-is-a-firefly-phone.htm
Copy this link
EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

EasyTechJunkie, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.