A CNET article highlights smartwatches as an ideal alternative to smartphones for children, offering communication and tracking without excessive distractions. The guide emphasizes features like GPS and parental controls to balance connectivity with safety. It advises parents on key considerations such as age range, budget, and brand reliability.
In a detailed buying guide, CNET contributor explains preferring smartwatches for children over full smartphones due to their reduced potential for distractions like social media and group chats. The author, drawing from personal experience, notes that early efforts to limit device use give way to the benefits of staying connected as kids grow, providing freedom for them and reassurance for parents.
Smartwatches for kids differ from adult models by including essential features like GPS tracking and emergency calling while omitting advanced functions such as electrocardiograms. They often feature larger, colorful designs with bigger buttons and child-friendly fitness goals to encourage activity. For younger children aged 5 and under, simple devices with physical buttons and minimal interfaces, like the Gabb Watch 3E, prevent accidental misuse. Older kids can use more capable options such as the Apple Watch SE 3 or Fitbit Ace, which include two-way calling, texting, and parental monitoring via companion apps.
GPS is described as a crucial feature for real-time location monitoring, such as during walks home from school, with geofencing alerts for safety. This requires cellular connectivity, adding $10 to $20 monthly fees, and devices range from $100 to $300. Established brands like Apple, Garmin, Fitbit, TickTalk, and Gabb are recommended for privacy and security, avoiding lesser-known options with potential risks like built-in cameras.
Parents should minimize entertainment features to curb screen time, using controls to limit games during school hours—some institutions even prohibit these devices. Budget-conscious alternatives like Apple's AirTag offer basic tracking for $25 but lack full GPS independence. Ultimately, the guide stresses selecting a watch that meets parental needs for connection while engaging the child, potentially postponing smartphone introduction.