If you own a smartwatch, odds are your child may want to wear one as well. The positive thing is that there are many age-appropriate choices to pick from.
Smartwatches that are mostly toys are available at the youngest end of the age spectrum. They would almost certainly include a camera, games, and simple pedometer. They’re perfect for playtime and inspiring young children to learn to say time.
So, deciding on the best smartwatch for your kid is heavily influenced by what you expect them to use it for and how old they are.
What is the right smartwatch for your child?
If you want to learn about the features to look for in a kids smartwatch, we’ve listed the most relevant requirements to remember.
Durability and design
The perfect smartwatch for kids can fit easily on tiny wrists and look great (in their minds). Many of the styles on our list of the best kids’ smartwatches come in a variety of colours and designs that enable your child to express themselves. Far beyond design, look for lightweight, sturdy styles, ideally with easy-to-clean elastomer bands that will enable your children to play freely.
Features and considerations
The features to check for in the right smartwatch for your kids are determined by what you (or your kid) – requires it to do. Do you want to keep them occupied? Or help them to get fit? Maybe both at the same time? Is it more important to your children to use the watch for fun or learning? Perhaps you want it as a means of communication? All things are possible.
Are Bluetooth capabilities required for updating and assisting the watch in syncing with applications on tablets? Maybe wifi or 4G connectivity will be something you’ll need if you intend to keep an eye on your kid when they’re not at home? If so, keep reading…
Security
Smartwatches may well be your child’s first introduction to electronics and social networking, so you’ll want to make it a fun and healthy experience for them. The best wearable devices for kids have parental controls through apps that allow you to monitor what your children do and who they are communicating with. Some are equipped with GPS sensors, that are beneficial for activity monitoring but can also provide you with peace of mind about their location.
If protection is your top priority, invest in a smartwatch that includes geofencing and alerts for added convenience. These can notify you anytime your child approaches or exits a secure room, and others will even notify authorities via an SOS feature. As for every system, keep the apps on the watch and the app updated to keep it secure from security vulnerabilities.
Life of the battery
The more sensors a wearable device contains, the more power it consumes, which can significantly shorten battery life. Unfortunately, this is a part of modern life, but you must decide whether you’re OK to charge the watch nightly or have a feature-heavy watch where you’re willing to forego certain features but benefit from weekly charges. A smartwatch, on the other hand, can last at least a full school day and, ideally, into the evening.
In conclusion
Smartwatches are the future, providing convenience, a plethora of apps for everyday life, and entertainment. If you’re thinking of getting a smartwatch for your kids, you’ll need to do some homework first. For infants, the distinction between a functional watch and a toy is blurred. Ultimately, you need to learn which smartwatches are the best for monitoring your child’s location, counting steps, or playing games.
