Parents' Guide to

Elmo Calls

By Dana Anderson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 3+

Favorite character delivers fun, supportive messages.

App iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad Family Games
Elmo Calls Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Elmo Calls App: Screenshot #1
  • Elmo Calls App: Screenshot #2
  • Elmo Calls App: Screenshot #3

Community Reviews

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age 11+

Based on 2 parent reviews

Hjon Dog
Hjon Dog Parent of 18+, 3 and 4-year-old
January 3, 2023
age 18+

DO NOT BUY IS VERY DANGEROUS

This is horrifying while playing GTA with Zeke we saw an ad for Elmo so I bought it. do not buy he talks to you and says that he is watching you and is at your house. I got so concerned when my off brand Amazon Alexa started to say a red monster was at my door. so i grabbed my sledgehammer and went to the door when Buffy my dog screamed and had been kidnapped by cookie monster. This game is not safe it tracks you down to end you and turns your kids into little wimps DO NOT BUY.

This title has:

Too much violence
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Hollz622
Hollz622 Adult
February 9, 2021
age 3+

Concerning

The idea is cute... Let your little talk to elmo right? My main concern is the front camera shows my child as he plays just like a video call would. I get that that's the point but on a device that actually has the ability to make video calls how do I know that there's not someone somewhere seeing my child too? In a world of greedy people with inpure intentions, I just don't trust it. I didn't hear anything inappropriate from elmo from listening to my little one play it but we are to private to overlook the possibility of someone seeing us without our knowledge.
See all 2 parent reviews

Privacy Rating Pass

  • Personal information is not sold or rented to third parties.
  • Personal information is not shared for third-party marketing.
  • Personalised advertising is not displayed.
  • Data are not collected by third-parties for their own purposes.
  • User's information is not used to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.
  • Data profiles are not created and used for personalised advertisements.
Learn more about our privacy ratings

What’s It About?

Kids can receive a randomly selected call from Elmo by tapping one of the buttons on the main screen, or parents can choose specific calls (and purchase more) from the parents section. Parents can choose to send audio or video calls and voicemails to iPhones, iPads, and iPod Touches, or set a timer for the message to arrive later (be sure to allow push notifications, or timed calls won't work). Parents can also add specific calls to kids' favorites list.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (1 ):

As usual, Elmo is cute, positive, and supportive. Whether you're trying to get your preschooler to take a bath or feel better about going to the dentist, a call from Elmo is likely to help the cause. That said, ELMO CALLS doesn't quite live up to the simplicity or quality that's expected from five-star apps affiliated with the Sesame Street brand. The setup for optional features can be a bit confusing, and the app seems to be created for (and makes more sense to use on) the iPhone, rather than iPads or iPods. Additionally, many of the more helpful calls require in-app purchase. That said, the overall concept is fun, and Elmo's delivery is as sweet as ever.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Set up calls to help your kids with difficult situations. For example, schedule the "Going to the Doctor" call before their next checkup.

  • Use the app to help your kids establish healthy habits. If your kids need help remembering to brush their teeth, schedule the "Brush Your Teeth" call from Elmo at the same time every day.

App Details

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