-
News Item: A recent New York Times article reports that an increasing number of parents are buying Apple watches for elementary school kids
-
Smartwatches for children are a booming sector of the tech market
-
Hundreds of different models with a range of features
-
Some smartwatches are tied to particular cellular companies, others are “unlocked”
-
A 2020 survey showed that 31% of American teens owned a smartwatch, compared to 21% of adults
-
Features and Selling Points of Smartwatches
-
Limited apps / less distraction than phones
- Voice calls and basic texting (with cellular connectivity – typically part of family plan)
- Importance of Communication with Child for Schedule Changes, Emergencies
-
Location tracking by parents
-
Geofencing for alerts
-
Can help delay requests for smartphone
-
Some watches come with apps to help with time management and to encourage physical activity
-
Apple introduced “Family Setup,” which gives parents the ability to supervise a range of data on the phone and limit notifications
-
Smartwatch Issues to Consider
-
Cost
-
Durability/Fragility of Device
- Maturity / Development of Child
- Plan time to educate child on using device
- Will child wear it every day?
-
Battery / Power management
-
Brand Capture
- Safety and Etiquette
- Teach children to avoid distracted walking
- Don’t be distracted by watch when interacting with other people
- Understand risks of strange messages or calls
- Privacy
- Is the child’s information on the watch protected?
- Does the watch company comply with COPPA?
- Does the CHILD understand that his or her location is being tracked? Transparency is important.
- If smartwatch has a camera, child needs to understand privacy boundaries for themselves and others
-
How Are Schools Reacting?
-
Generally positive
-
Fewer restrictions than smartphones
-
Less distraction
-
Recommended Brands
-
Verizon GizmoWatch2 (~ $100)
-
TickTalk4 (~ $190)
-
Xplora X5 Play (~ $200)
-
Apple SE (~ $300)
-
Resources
– #2022–09–01 How tech can help keep your kids safe at school
– #2022–09–01 An Apple Watch for Your 5-Year-Old? More Parents Say Yes.
– #2022–08–31 The Best Smartwatches For Kids (And Parents) To Stay Connected
– #2022–08–30 Smart watches in schools, do they make kids safer?
– #2022–08–23 Best Smartwatches for Kids
– #2022–08–06 The 6 Best Smartwatches For Kids To Help Keep Them Active, Connected, & Entertained
– #2022–08–03 EARLY YEARS: Smart watches for kids could be smarter, safer alternative to cell phones
– #2021–10–26 The Best Smartwatches and Phones for Kids
– #2021–09–16 The Best Smartwatches for Kids, According to a 9-Year-Old and His Mom