... peace of mind through singular focus. Cons: They introduce another device to manage, charge, and potentially pay a separate cellular subscription for. They often lack the rich, two-way communication features of apps and can sometimes be perceived as stigmatizing by older children. Their functionality is narrow but deep. Building Your 2026 Hybrid Toolkit The most robust strategy for many families isn't an either/or choice, but a both/and approach. Here s how to build a layered safety net: Know ...