Many parents and caregivers face dilemmas with modern technology. They want to connect with their children but are not ready to give them a smartphone.
One alternative is a smartwatch designed specifically for children.
Consumer Reports has an in-depth look at a high-tech watch that might be the perfect solution.
If you’re not ready to hand your child their first full-featured smartphone just yet, but want to keep in touch as they grow more independent, you’re not alone. That’s why some parents are turning to smartwatches instead of cell phones.
Kids smartwatches offer many of the same communication benefits as smartphones, such as calling and texting, but with added security, privacy, and parental controls.
Most are standalone devices with cellular connectivity that don’t require a smartphone. Besides calling and texting, they offer many features such as music, games, alarms, pedometers, and some even include video chat.
Most products come with GPS, and this is one of the features that parents are most concerned about. Parents can use an app on their phone to track their child’s location, approve contact lists, and access other controls.
If you’re looking to buy a smartwatch for your child that can text and make calls, you’ll likely have to pay a monthly fee to access those features, probably around $10 a month.
Your watch manufacturer or wireless carrier will provide you with a service plan. Please note that some smartwatches are only compatible with certain carriers.
For example, Gizmo Watch 3 requires a new or existing Verizon plan, while TickTalk5 only works with AT.&T or T-Mobile.
More advanced children’s smartwatches require daily charging, so parents are encouraged to consider other features such as the number of contacts the watch allows, durability, fit, and battery life.
The key is to consider what is most important to your family. That will help you decide which model is best for you.
You can also look for a silent mode that you can turn on during school hours, and check if your child’s school allows smartwatch use before purchasing.
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