5 Of The Safest Smartwatches For Kids In 2023

Smartwatches are everywhere, offering a range of features and benefits. As wearable technology has become part of our everyday lives, children have also shown interest in these devices. However, it’s essential for parents to carefully consider the potential drawbacks and advantages of smartwatches for kids before deciding.

In this article, we will explore why smartwatches can harm children’s well-being and discuss some safe smartwatch options designed specifically for kids. We will walk you through each watch’s features, the age recommendations, and which offers the best parental controls to help you make the best decision.

Why Smartwatches Can Be Bad for Kids:

---

Privacy Concerns:

Smartwatches with GPS tracking, microphones, and cameras pose potential privacy risks for children. Hackers may exploit these features, or unauthorised surveillance could occur, risking children’s safety.

---

Addiction and Overuse:

Smartwatches can contribute to screen addiction, affecting children’s cognitive development, social skills, and physical health. Constant access to games, notifications, and social media can make it challenging for kids to disconnect.

---

Sleep Disruption:

A smartwatch on a child’s wrist during sleep can distract and affect sleep quality. Exposure to blue light from screens can also disrupt melatonin production, impacting sleep cycles.

---

Sedentary Behaviour:

Despite fitness tracking features, smartwatches may inadvertently promote sedentary behaviour by offering games and apps encouraging children to spend more time sitting and engaging with their devices.

---

Undermining Parental Control:

Unrestricted internet access on smartwatches can make it difficult for parents to monitor and control their children’s online activities, potentially exposing them to age-inappropriate content.

---

Cost and Materialism:

Smartwatches can be expensive, and children may not fully understand their value. Issues with materialism, the pressure to own the latest gadgets, and the risk of damage or loss may arise.

---

What to look out for

When choosing a smartwatch for kids, focus on essential safety features like GPS tracking, parental controls, and secure communication options. Additionally, look for age-appropriate functions and a durable design. Make sure to read recent reviews and consult reliable sources to find the best and safest smartwatches for your child.

Smartwatches for kids can be a great way to keep track of your child’s location and communicate with them when needed. But with so many options available in the market, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your child. To help you out, we’ve compiled a list of 5 of the safest smartwatches for kids in 2023:

---

Safe Smartwatch Options for Kids

1. Fitbit Ace 3

Fitbit Ace 3 is a great fitness tracker for kids with a long-lasting battery life, durable strap, and responsive touchscreen. It is designed to make exercise and healthy habits fun for kids aged six and above. The watch has a fresh new look and comes in two colour options, but the greyscale screen may need to be more appealing compared to other offerings with colourful screens. 

The watch pairs with Fitbit’s app, where parents can track their child’s activity and see statistics. At the same time, kids can see their stats and badges and change clock faces. The tracker has a touchscreen and PMOLED display and can count steps, measure activity accurately, tracks heart rate, and count intensive moves. Kids can also receive call alerts and short text messages if they have their smartphones. 

The watch is water-resistant and can be used to track sleep. Its standout feature is its impressive battery life, lasting up to eight days on one charge. Overall, Fitbit Ace 3 is one of the best all-around kid’s smartwatches on the market that packs a punch feature-wise, looks excellent, and offers longevity.

2. VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3

The VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3 is a fantastic smartwatch for kids aged four and above. It features dual cameras, one and two-player games, daily reminders, and learning activities, making it a perfect tech accessory for kids. The front-facing and side-view cameras capture fun moments and take selfies with friends. The DX3 also has games like Treasure Hunt, Find the Diamonds and Tic-Tac-Toe that can be played with friends or a robot.

The watch’s Time Master app helps kids practice analog and digital time-telling, while the calculator, flashlight, and Daily Reminders app add functionality. The DX3 is designed to be age-appropriate, with an adjustable band that fits smaller wrists and a sturdy plastic screen that is scratch-resistant. The display has vibrant colors and lights up nicely, making it easy for kids to navigate the apps.

The DX3 has a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that charges quickly and lasts long. It also has a master on-and-off switch for parents to turn off the watch when not in use. Parents can also download more free games; clock faces, and camera effects from Learning Lodge. The watch comes with its watch stand and enclosed display case, which is perfect when not in use.

Overall, the VTech KidiZoom Smartwatch DX3 is a cool and fun watch for kids aged four and up. It has various features, is easy to use, and is a great way to keep kids occupied. The watch is an excellent example of a kids’ smartwatch and a perfect way for kids to feel important and have fun like their parents with their own piece of tech.

3. Garmin vivofit jr. 3, Fitness Tracker for Kids

The Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 is a feature-packed fitness tracker for kids aged 4 to 7 that makes exercising fun and engaging. It’s easy to set up and has a perfect size for young children, offering an analog watch face option to help them learn to read the time. The tracker unlocks games based on daily activity, allowing parents to schedule chore reminders and set playtime limits.

With a range of Disney-themed designs, the Vivofit Jr. 3 appeals to children and offers a colorful screen displaying exercise stats and characters. The device comes without a touchscreen, relying on a side button for navigation, which kids can adapt to quickly.

The Vivofit Jr. 3 comes with valuable features for both children and parents. Kids can participate in various activities and challenges, while parents can monitor their child’s progress, set tasks, and assign rewards. Additionally, the watch can store emergency contact information for added safety.

One of the main advantages of the Garmin Vivofit Jr. 3 is its long battery life, lasting up to a year before needing a replacement. While it may lack the “wow factor” of some competitors, its Disney themes and battery life make it an appealing choice for parents seeking a reliable, engaging fitness tracker for their kids.

4. TickTalk 4

The TickTalk 4 is a revolutionary 4G/LTE smartwatch phone designed for children aged 5-12, offering a perfect blend of connectivity, safety, and entertainment. Trusted by over 190,000 families worldwide since its launch in 2016, the TickTalk 4 builds on the features of its predecessor with new additions such as free streaming music powered by iHeartRadio Family, step tracking, and 2x 5MP selfie and snapshot cameras.

Keeping children connected is a priority for TickTalk 4. It offers video, voice, and Wi-Fi calling, voice recordings, preset text responses, photos, emojis, and GIFs, ensuring that kids stay in touch with their favorite people in various ways. The smartwatch emphasizes safety with GPS location tracking, emergency SOS, and over 20 parental controls, including approving watch contacts, blocking unknown numbers, and setting reminders.

The TickTalk 4 allows children to express themselves with its dual 5MP photo and video cameras, secure messaging center, and options for individual and group messages. Kids can share selfies, snapshots, GIFs, emojis, and voice recordings in a safe and encrypted environment.

The TickTalk 4 features an activity tracker with daily step goals to encourage an active lifestyle. It allows kids to compete with their approved TickTalk friends in the Step Championship to win gold, silver, or bronze medals. The smartwatch also introduces free, unlimited streaming music from iHeartRadio Family, making it the first kid’s smartwatch phone to offer such a feature.

In summary, the TickTalk 4 is an innovative smartwatch for children that combines connection, safety, expression, and activity in a single device, offering modern families a comprehensive solution for staying in touch, building better habits, and ensuring their child’s safety.

5. Little Tikes Tobi 2

The Little Tikes Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch is for children aged 6 to 10. It is designed as a child’s first smartwatch and offers fun games and educational activities. It has a built-in AI full of personality to display over 100 expressions. 

Although it lacks cellular connectivity, parental controls, and optional apps, the watch is equipped with two cameras, a pedometer, an alarm clock, a calculator, and several brain, fitness, and arcade-style games.

The Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch is more of an “edutainment” toy than a communication tool, as it does not have the ability to make calls or send text messages. 

However, it allows two players to compete head-to-head when two Tobi 2 watches are close. The watch has a lively robot face, which cycles through over 100 expressions and suggests engaging activities. With a user-friendly setup process and various features such as a timer, alarm, calculator, and calendar, the Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch is a captivating and interactive toy for kids.

The Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch has a waterproof rating and boasts up to five days of battery life. With a built-in pedometer and various activity games, it is designed to motivate children to move. 

The watch can store up to 3,000 photos and 30 minutes of video, allowing kids to capture moments and be creative with the images. 

The Tobi 2 Robot Smartwatch is an excellent choice for parents looking to provide their children with an interactive and educational alternative to traditional screen-based entertainment.

Conclusion

While smartwatches offer various benefits and conveniences, parents should carefully weigh the potential risks and advantages before purchasing one for their child. Privacy concerns, addiction, sleep disruption, sedentary behaviour, and undermining parental control should be considered.

Opting for a smartwatch designed specifically for kids can help ensure a safer and more age-appropriate experience, prioritizing children’s well-being over the allure of cutting-edge technology.

I hope our article has helped provide you with more informed options when choosing the right Smartwatch for your child. If you would like to see more of our articles, check out the rest of our blog right here.