An interview with Founding Partner and Senior Vice President of Marketing at GABB, Lance Black.
Lance Black
Q: Gabb was created with a mission to protect every childhood with kid-safe tech. How did that mission come to life?
Gabb was born out of a growing concern: kids were being overexposed to harmful content, addictive apps, and online dangers through traditional smartphones. From the beginning, the goal was clear—make parenting easier by creating tech designed specifically for kids.
“Our phones don’t include internet browsers or social media by default,” says the Gabb team. “We help reduce screen time and eliminate exposure to many of the biggest online threats. We want to empower kids without compromising their safety.”
Q: What makes Gabb phones safer than traditional smartphones?
Gabb devices are intentionally built from the start with child safety in mind. There are no browsers or social media apps, which drastically limits access to inappropriate content and potential online predators.
But it doesn’t stop there. Gabb Messenger uses AI to flag potentially inappropriate conversations. Gabb Safe Video Calling can detect and block incoming or outgoing nude images and notify parents—giving families the chance to have important conversations before problems escalate.
Gabb Music also fills a big need: “Parents love that kids can stream artists across every genre and era from the world's largest safe music library—no explicit lyrics, no bleeps, just great music.”
Q: How does Gabb help families find a healthy tech balance?
“Too much tech, too soon can actually harm development,” the Gabb team explains. That’s why they created the “Tech in Steps” approach, which allows parents to gradually introduce more capabilities as kids grow in maturity. Gabb’s lineup—from watch to phone—grows with the child, allowing them to build healthy tech habits over time.
Q: Gabb is also vocal about anti-bullying efforts. What are some of the initiatives you’ve been part of?
Gabb recently partnered with the Governor’s Social Harms campaign to spotlight how social media is impacting youth mental health. “We shared our research and provided tools for families to better understand how online bullying and toxic social media content are affecting their kids.”
Q: Are there community partnerships that help further your mission?
Digital wellness is at the core of what Gabb does. They’ve led the Gabb Digital Detox two years running, encouraging families to unplug during the Global Day of Unplugging. They’ve also partnered with groups like Wait Until 8th, OK to Delay, and IRLNY to educate families about alternative tech paths.
In 2025, Gabb launched the Gabb Foundation to donate safe tech to families experiencing financial hardship. “Every kid deserves access to healthy connection, regardless of their circumstances.”
Q: Can you share a story of someone positively impacted by Gabb?
“In Indiana, 130 high school students swapped their iPhones for Gabb phones for a month. The results were incredible,” the team shares. Students reported improved sleep, mental health, and social belonging. One boy said, ‘I left my room and made the best friends I’ve ever had.’ When the month ended, many dreaded returning to their old phones. One girl called it, ‘like getting another full-time job.’”
Q: Gabb promotes real-life connection. How do your products support that?
“Traditional phones steal attention. Gabb phones are engineered to give it back,” the team explains. Even their Gabb Watch includes fun features like Gabb Go, a game that encourages kids to complete chores and physical activity to earn coins. “One mom told us her child begged to vacuum just to teach their digital cow a new backflip trick.”
Q: What advice do you have for parents trying to decide when to give their child a phone?
“You don’t have to give your child the internet all at once,” the team says. “Start with a safephone and add features gradually. It’s about empowering kids in a way that aligns with their maturity.”
Q: What’s next for Gabb?
Gabb continues to innovate and expand their outreach. From product development to nonprofit work, everything is shaped by a single goal: making safe, meaningful connection possible for kids everywhere.
Q: How does Gabb stay connected to families’ needs?
“We invite parents and kids to share feedback constantly,” the team says. “That input helps shape our products, improve our services, and ensure we’re growing in the right direction.”