Gabb Wireless and HERE have developed an in-app map and routing solution for kids that aims to keep them safe and away from age-inappropriate locations through safety-first routing.

Gabb Maps is designed to provide kid-safe mapping and navigation for all Gabb mobile phones.

Utah-based Gabb has employed the HERE SDK to develop the customised, in-app map and routing solution.

Gabb Maps is customised to provide smart filtering that blocks out business information for age-inappropriate businesses (e.g. liquor stores) and blocks kids from “backdoor” access to the internet, through internal web browsers on business pages, or user-uploaded photos and reviews on business listings that could expose children to explicit content.

The company does not gather nor sell any child’s information. Users can opt-in to send data to HERE, but the child’s data is anonymous and is only used to improve the navigation, never for advertising. 

“Kids digital safety was the number one priority when rolling out Gabb Maps and we wanted to be sure to create a solution that was safe for kids and didn’t collect or share any of their personal data,” said Isaac Jacobson, SVP of Strategic Partnerships and Services at Gabb. “This unique offering gives kids the ability to use the location services everyone has come to expect on phones, without exposing them to any of the dangerous content from age-inappropriate businesses or users.”

“Gabb Maps provides a service that can give parents some peace of mind when sending their child out into the world,” said Stuart Ryan, SVP and General Manager of the Americas at HERE Technologies. “As a parent myself, I know the importance of making sure your children have access to tools that are useful and safe, without unneeded exposure of their personal data. We are proud to work with Gabb to create this customised Mapping and Navigation offering that’s sole purpose is to give kids the valuable location information they may need.”