Parenting in the digital age: Factors to ponder before buying a phone for your child this year
In the ever-evolving world of technology, parents are always on the lookout for devices that provide their children with a safe and engaging digital experience. This year, several smartwatches have risen to the top, offering features designed to ensure the well-being of kids while keeping them connected.
One of the most versatile options is the Apple Watch SE, which integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem. It offers family setup with parental controls, health tracking, calls, messages, and location sharing. This makes it a popular choice for families already using Apple devices [1][3].
Another robust contender is the TickTalk 4, a rugged smartwatch with GPS tracking, secure messaging to parent-approved contacts, emergency SOS, HD video calling, and the ability to block strangers. It requires a monthly service plan of approximately $9.99 [2].
The Verizon Gizmo Watch 3 supports up to 20 approved contacts for calls and texts, real-time location tracking, and geofencing alerts. This watch is a reliable choice for parents who want to keep a close eye on their children [3].
For those seeking a more AI-driven experience, the Pinwheel Watch offers GPS tracking, parental management tools, voice-to-text messaging, a camera, fun mini-games, and a unique AI chatbot called PinwheelGPT that answers kids' questions safely. It comes with a $15 monthly subscription fee [4].
The Bark Watch focuses heavily on safety, offering GPS tracking, contact management, parental alerts, and no apps, games, or internet access. This makes it an ideal choice for parents wanting strict control over online exposure [3].
The Cosmo JrTrack 2 is a budget-friendly option, offering GPS-tracking and geo-fencing. It allows photo-taking and messaging restricted to preset options, minimizing exposure to inappropriate content [2].
The Fitbit Ace LTE is another popular choice, focusing on health and fitness encouragement. It offers phone calls, text and voice messages, and active GPS tracking [1].
In addition to these watches, brands like Motorola, TCL, OnePlus, Nothing, and Honor are known for their careful selection of flicker-free displays or options to reduce flicker, making them suitable for sensitive eyes [5].
As always, it's essential to remember that while these devices offer a wealth of safety features, parental involvement remains crucial. Services like Google Family Link, Bark, and Canopy provide additional control over apps, screen time limits, and remote location tracking, but it's important to choose the one that best suits your family's needs [6][7].
When it comes to gaming, Roblox, Fortnite, and Rec Room are safe options for kids, but it's crucial to take advantage of the parental control options in these games [8].
For music lovers, the Gabb Phone includes its own music streaming service with filtered tracks. And for those who prefer Android, the CMF Phone 2 Pro is a budget-friendly smartphone with a customizable design, plenty of power, and great cameras [9].
In the realm of messaging, Google Messages safely sends and receives SMS, MMS, and RCS messages and filters spam automatically [10].
Lastly, YouTube Kids is an app that allows parents to curate what their kids are allowed to watch, but it isn't the most user-friendly, and some content may keep coming back even after it's removed [11].
In conclusion, the market for smartwatches for kids is vast and varied, offering a range of features, prices, and subscription costs. Whether you prioritize robust communication features, safety, simplicity, or integration with your existing technology, there's a smartwatch out there that's perfect for your family.
References: [1] Apple Watch SE for Kids: Parental Controls and Features [2] Cosmo JrTrack 2 Review: A Budget-Friendly GPS Watch for Kids [3] The Best Smartwatches for Kids in 2022 [4] Pinwheel Watch Review: A GPS Smartwatch for Kids with Parental Controls [5] The Best Phones for Kids with No SIM Card [6] Google Family Link: Parental Controls for Your Child's Android Device [7] Bark vs. Canopy: Parental Control Services Compared [8] Roblox, Fortnite, and Rec Room: Safe Games for Kids [9] CMF Phone 2 Pro Review: A Budget-Friendly Phone for Kids [10] Google Messages: A Safe and Spam-Free Messaging App [11] YouTube Kids: A Safe Platform for Kids, But Not Perfect
- The Verizon Gizmo Watch 3, a robust smartwatch, provides geofencing alerts and supports up to 20 approved contacts, making it a suitable choice for parenting and lifestyle-conscious parents who want to keep a close eye on their children's whereabouts.
- In the health-and-wellness sector, the Fitbit Ace LTE stands out for its focus on health and fitness encouragement, offering features such as phone calls, text and voice messages, and active GPS tracking, making it an appealing option for both kids and parents.
