How Do Smartwatches For Kids Work?

DIY Security Systems

How do smart watches for kids work? Many parents ask themselves this question, wondering whether a smartwatch is a must-have for their children. Since smartphones aren’t necessarily a good thing for a young child due to their cost and their difficulty in online monitoring, smartwatches for children are a great compromise for parents looking for a way to be connected to their children. Smartwatches for kids are similar in many ways to wearable devices for adults as they share many similar functions and features.

GPS Tracking

One of the biggest fear of parents is losing their children. This is why many invest in home security products to make sure their children’s safety. However, considering that many children’s activities take place outside, there is no way that parents can personally monitor their children 24/7. What’s more, many children walk to school and back or take public transport to get around. No parent wants to experience the nightmare of not knowing their child’s location.

So, how do smartwatches for kids work when it comes to helping parents track their children? Most smartwatches designed for kids have GPS tracking available. This feature allows parents to track their children’s movements and locations in real-time. You need to download tracking apps such as Find My Kids and connect your child’s smartwatch to your phone. Some high-end smartwatches even allow parents to “geofence” their children, which means that you can set a virtual geographical boundary for your child. If your child crosses these boundaries, you will receive a real-time alert on your phone.

Emergency Alerts

Having SOS alerts is one of the most important features in any child’s smartwatch. Most SOS apps work commonly: if your child is facing a dangerous situation, they can hold a button on their smartwatch.

How do smartwatches for kids work when it comes to emergency alerts? This act will send an emergency alert to your smartphone and call continuously until you pick up the call. Some apps also have a secondary emergency contact that the app will contact if you are not answering your phone. Some parents choose trusted friends or even local law enforcement for their child’s secondary emergency contact.

When you pair SOS emergency alerts with GPS tracking, these two security features will give many parents peace of mind regarding their child’s safety and security.

Two-Way Calling

Two-way calling is not a common feature for smartwatches for children. It is not a prerequisite feature for some parents because it makes the child’s smartwatch too similar to a smartphone. However, if you choose a smartwatch with two-way calling, you can still secure it to keep your child safe.

How do smartwatches for kids work when it comes to two-way calling? You can program the smartwatch only to make or receive calls from preprogrammed numbers. This means that even if other people can find your child’s number, they will not be able to contact your child because the smartwatch will block any number that it does not recognize.

If you want your child to have a smartwatch with two-way calling, you’ll need to find a smartwatch that supports two-way calling. These smartwatches have a SIM card slot, and you will need to subscribe to a mobile plan just like on a regular smartphone. In the USA, most parents choose T-Mobile’s SpeedTalk because of the wide coverage.

Cost: Cheap or Expensive Smartwatches?

Before you choose a smartwatch for your child, you need to consider the cost of these devices. Smartwatches for children come in a wide range of prices, with the cheapest ones costing around $30, with the most expensive ones costing around $300. Yes, the high-end smartwatches will cost the same as a mid-range smartphone because they have many of the same functions.

Low-cost smartwatches are generally devices that allow children to have fun, so they have features such as low-resolution cameras and simple educational apps. However, they do not have security or communication features such as GPS tracking or two-way calling. Furthermore, low-cost smartwatches are not waterproof or shockproof, which means that they are not a good choice for young children.

On the other hand, expensive smartwatches should be treated as an investment for parents who want to keep their children safe as much as possible. These smartwatches allow parents to communicate with their child and track their location, while still allowing the child some lenience when it comes to being online. 

Features to Consider

Here are some other features that you can consider before choosing a smartwatch for your child:

Ease of Use

Look for smartwatches that are designed for children. Simple user-interface, large screens, and child-friendly buttons are some ideal features. 

Your Child’s Age

Your child’s age will dictate whether a particular brand of smartwatch is appropriate for your child. Check the manufacturer’s recommendation regarding the target age group of the users. You should also consider whether your child will understand what the apps are for and how to use them.

Battery Life

The battery life of a smartwatch will vary from one device to another. Smartwatches loaded with functions and features will generally have a shorter battery life compared to simpler devices.

Are Kid’s Smart Watches Vulnerable to Hackers?

Like any device that connects to the Internet, smartwatches for children with Internet connectivity are prone to hackers. Avoid storing sensitive information on your child’s smartwatch and download security apps when possible. Make sure to block calls and texts from unknown numbers as well.