Pros and Cons of a Smartwatch for Children

Parenting a child in today’s digital age comes with many challenges, one of them being technology. You might think children get smart technology earlier and earlier to stay connected and aware of the world around them, but this doesn’t always have to be the case. Smartwatches for children are great alternatives to smartphones, and they have their fair share of pros and cons.

Pro and Con – Screen Time

Screen time is one of the biggest parental fears in today’s digital age. The world is full of screens, and they feel inescapable. Parents want to keep their children away from screens, but it’s not always possible. Kids need cell phones as they get older and use computers for school and homework, but they don’t need much screen time when they’re young. That’s where smartwatches come in.

Smartwatches have small screens that will take up your child’s time, but they can be better than smartphones. A smartphone can have games and social media that will distract your children for hours, and while some smartwatches offer those capabilities, others have fewer distractions. Safety-oriented smartwatches, like the ones we offer at TickTalk Tech, don’t have distracting internet, social media, or games. While they’re still a form of screen time, the right smartwatch won’t dominate your child’s life.

Pro – Parental Monitoring

One major pro of smartwatches is monitoring your child and knowing where they are. Smartwatches generally have some form of messaging and calling, so you and your child can contact each other whenever needed. At TickTalk Tech, our smartwatches come with various parental controls and location tracking, so you can see where your child is at all times. You want to hope they’ll tell you if they go from one friend’s house to another’s, but this isn’t always the case. In situations like this, monitoring their location and knowing they’re in a safe place is definitely a positive.

Con – Susceptible to Damage

While some smartwatches are more durable than others, they are still fragile, and your child can easily damage theirs. Depending on your child’s age, you might quickly realize the smartwatch isn’t as damage-proof as you may want. TickTalk Tech’s smartwatches are water resistant and can withstand drops, but not all smartwatches are this durable. Others will break, kids will lose them, or water will damage them. Consider the watch's durability if you’re looking for a smartwatch for your child.

Smartwatches for children are great compared to smartphones, but it’s important to understand the pros and cons of this technology. Each child is different, so monitor your children when introducing new technologies and see if they’re using the smartwatch correctly. You don’t want the cons taking over. At TickTalk Tech, we offer kids smartwatches with calling that don’t have access to the internet, minimizing the cons of this technology. If you’re interested in getting your child a smartwatch, don’t hesitate to contact us!