What to look for in a smartwatch for a kid


GPS will be the number one deciding factor for parents looking for a smartwatch to track kids with busy schedules. A real smartwatch behaves more like a cell phone in the sense that the parent has live coverage of the child's location and the ability to send text messages and make calls. Wearables that focus more on fitness tracking can completely lose location services and the option for two-way communication. Not confused by the app at all? There are standalone smartwatches that are ready to use without any investment.

But watches intended for physical activity have their advantages. Parents worried about screen time will appreciate that smart fitness tracker are not only less web-based devices than smartphones, but they actually encourage kids to get up and move. Kids can check their step count for the day or get a reminder to wake up for a few minutes, but the most fun part is celebrating the screen when goals for daily activity or sleep have been reached. Settings in the parent app are subject to change, but asking your child to set their own alarm or follow their own activity rules can be a great way to demonstrate responsibility.

A smartwatch may replace the need for an entire phone or tablet, but that doesn't mean entertainment is completely non-existent. Some watches aimed at young children have games ranging from math and number challenges to augmented reality mysteries, and cameras with fun face filters may pop up. For such a small screen, the resolution is crystal clear and more than enough to keep kids busy waiting in line at the store, in the waiting room, or in the car.

Things will go a lot smoother when your child is on schedule. If you end up choosing a watch with location tracking or GPS Limits, you can let them know that you can see their location to encourage mutual respect - even if the respect was unspoken and conflicted at first.

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