How to choose and set up a smartwatch for a child

The time comes when parents can no longer be with their children around the clock. The child grows up and becomes independent: walking in the yard, going to school, attending sections, and socializing with friends. Naturally, caring parents worry about the safety of their child and provide them with an interesting accessory – a smartwatch.

According to the consultants of the electronics online store Stylus, smartwatches for children are a small smartphone strapped to the child’s wrist. It can make and receive calls, is equipped with a GPS module, vibration for SMS alerts, and other useful features.

Thanks to the device, parents always know where their child is and whether they are in danger.

But how to choose such a watch correctly?

Is it ethical to track your child?

Let’s be honest: the ethical question of smartwatches with GPS sensors is raised by those who do not have children. Because if you know how much a young child is attached to their parents and how they strive to be as close to them as possible, the “sensitive” topic will disappear by itself.

Up to 6-8 years, a child does not have privacy issues, and they perceive such a watch as due care from mom and dad, nothing more.

When the child becomes older and has an acute need to be fully independent, imposing such a gadget will only be harmful. A teenager will reasonably want to get rid of it and start misleading their parents, leading to quarrels and unnecessary stress.

What parameters to consider when choosing children’s smartwatches

Children under 12 need to use smartwatches necessarily. But how to choose the right model?

In response, we have developed a checklist with the most important parameters to focus on:

• ability to install a full SIM card;
• water-resistant body;
• battery life;
• geolocation query frequency;
• camera presence;

Some smartwatches are equipped with a voice spying feature, allowing parents to listen to conversations near the watch. There have been precedents when this feature helped save a child’s life when abducted by criminals.

Device setup and monitoring its operation

If you decided to purchase the device and explained to your child the importance of its constant use, we move on to the stage of setting up the device for basic tasks. In most cases, the setup is done according to the following algorithm:

1. purchase a SIM card and choose the optimal tariff;
2. set up emergency and parental numbers;
3. download the watch manufacturer’s app to the parents’ smartphones;
4. activate the main control functions.

Most smartwatches have an option to set a “home zone,” within which the child can safely walk, and if the set perimeter is crossed, parents will receive a push notification on their smartphone.

In addition, you can configure devices for periodic coordinate sending. But it’s important to note: the more frequent the feedback, the faster the battery is depleted. Happy purchasing and usage!