It’s natural to ask this question. As a parent, you probably know other parents whose elementary-school aged kids have smartphones. They may have told you they feel better knowing they can get a hold of their child when necessary, or that a tracking app on the phone gives them peace of mind. These are popular reasons why kids often have smartphones. In fact, a 2019 survey showed that more than half of kids have a smartphone by the age of 11. Unfortunately, there are several reasons why this phenomenon isn’t ideal.
First, smartphones are designed to be used by adults. They come with internet access, social media apps, and the ability to accept calls and texts from anyone—like those scammers who call up claiming you owe the IRS money, or random strangers who text inappropriate pictures. Do you want your kids dealing with those people? Or finding their way onto social media when they’re not yet old enough to navigate the possible dangers?
Second, smartphones aren’t the only option for keeping track of or contacting your child—the two main reasons parents give for buying their kids a smartphone. The right kids phone watch allows you to call your child—but only you and other people you place on a list of approved contacts can call them. Internet access and social media apps should be completely blocked, and the built-in GPS tracker should allow real-time monitoring of your child’s location. Most importantly, these devices are designed specifically to allow kids more freedom while protecting them and providing you peace of mind.
For all of these reasons, more and more parents are searching for quality smartphone alternatives. They want the best kids GPS tracker, not just the most recent Apple device. They want devices designed for kids, not repackaged adult technology. When it comes to smartwatches for kids, it's hard not to see the advantages.
Read our kids smartwatch purchasing guide if you are considering getting one for your child.