Smartwatches for Little Kids: Yes or No? Cybertraps 137

Cybertraps Podcast

• 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