How kids’ smartwatches are changing parenting in the digital age
Kids' smartwatches offer peace of mind to modern parents but raise concerns about screen time and safety.
In recent years, there’s been a significant shift in how parents monitor and communicate with their children. Once simply a trendy accessory, kids’ smartwatches have now become a staple for parents aiming to balance their child’s safety with independence.
For many Millennial mums and dads, these devices represent a lifeline—an “electronic umbilical cord,” as some experts have termed it. But while they offer peace of mind, they raise important questions about children’s screen time, privacy, and the challenge of raising tech-savvy but resilient kids.
The rise of the smartwatch: a kid’s first device
Once limited to basic models, the market for children’s smartwatches has exploded, with major tech brands competing to capture this booming segment, and even advertising to children as young as five.
This demand stems from parental concerns, with many seeing these devices as a safer introduction to the digital world than a smartphone. Statistics now show that smartwatches are becoming a child’s first device, reflecting the ongoing digital transformation in families everywhere.
A recent study by US telecommunications company T-Mobile showed that 92% of parents of children aged 4 to 12 want to “always know where their child is,” as Clint Patterson, senior vice president of product marketing at T-Mobile, told EdSurge.
These gadgets, with their GPS and communication capabilities, are redefining what “peace of mind” means for today’s parents. According to EdSurge, many parents see these watches as “a way of achieving their goals and delaying their kids on social media.”
For parents, a smartwatch can also delay the jump to a mobile phone while still providing kids with some digital autonomy. Many models come with features like geofencing, which lets parents set safe boundaries and pre-approved contact lists. And while a smartwatch costs around £150, plus a monthly subscription, it’s often viewed as a more affordable and less intrusive option than a smartphone.
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Navigating digital development and the data question
For many parents, smartwatches serve as “training wheels” for technology, easing children into the responsibilities of digital device ownership without exposing them to the entire internet or social media.
However, there are drawbacks. Despite their smaller screens and limited features, smartwatches are not immune to the distractions that come with digital notifications. Many school teachers see smartwatches as just another digital distraction, adding to a list of challenges in maintaining students’ focus during school hours.
The privacy question looms large as well. Data collection on these devices means that children may enter the digital ecosystem much earlier than some parents intend, potentially subjecting them to tracking and profiling by tech companies.
Finding balance in a smartwatch work
As Millennial mums and dads balance these digital tools with their children’s safety and independence, many are realising that the modern smartwatch has become a symbol of our parenting paradox. While it offers freedom, it also draws children closer, raising questions about independence and resilience.
For most parents today, the question is not whether to connect their child to a device but rather “which risks can I tolerate?”
This balancing act between safety, independence, and screen time is not always straightforward. For now, it seems, the kids’ smartwatch offers a compromise many parents are willing to make, creating a new norm in the era of digital parenting—one where connectivity offers safety, but careful boundaries still play a vital role in helping kids grow.
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Authors
Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.
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