The 7 Main Benefits of Smartwatches for Kids
Did you know that smartwatches are the most popular type of wearable technology?
It’s a big deal. Sales revenue from wearables is projected to grow to more than $70 billion U.S. dollars by 2022. The smartwatch industry alone could hit more than $30 billion U.S. dollars by 2025. Today, about 16% of U.S. adults own a smartwatch, while more than 20% own fitness trackers.
In recent years, many big tech companies have come out with their takes on the best smartwatch for kids. With simpler features and colorful designs, these products have become popular children’s accessories — but what can your kids get out of it? Wouldn’t smartwatches be too complicated to use, especially for very young children?
Kids are often more capable than we think. Most smartwatches for kids not only specify recommended age ranges but are also intuitive to use. Not yet convinced? Below are seven reasons to consider giving your child a wearable device.
1) You Can Monitor Where Your Kids Go.
While your child’s privacy is important, a way to check where your kids are could help you be a better parent.
For some people, just having the option to monitor their kids through built-in GPS trackers on smartwatches is enough to reduce their anxieties and worries — especially if children are in an unfamiliar location.
Some wearables also include a button that can send a distress signal back to you and the appropriate local authorities if your children end up needing help.
2) Children Could Experience a Confidence Boost.
Because you can check where they are at all times, you might be a little bit more relaxed about letting your child move around your neighborhood or spend time with children living nearby.
When you don’t require your kid to update you on their location and activities constantly, it may make them feel more independent. They might appreciate the fact that you trust them to be responsible on their own, and, in turn, become more confident when making their own decisions.
3) Smartwatches Create a Cost-Effective Way to Communicate.
Some parents may not want to give their kids a smartphone. Whether it’s a cost problem or an awareness that their child doesn’t have the sense of responsibility to take care of a phone yet, a smartwatch can address the problem.
Not only are wearables for kids often more durable than smartphones, but you can find very affordable ones.
The best smartwatches for kids have some voice and messaging call options, text messaging services that allow guardians to pre-set content to send, and real-time location sharing.
Children are also less likely to damage or lose them, as wearables stay in one place — their wrists.
4) Wearables Encourage Activity and Exercise.
In a recent study, the World Health Organisation (WHO) pointed to insufficient physical activity as a significant and global risk factor for death; more than 80% of young people between 11 and 17 years aren’t physically active enough.
There’s a bigger picture here that involves walking the line between encouraging kids to be conscious of their physical health and possibly instilling unhealthy ideas about body image and self-worth.
However, there’s no denying that the best smartwatches for kids simply provide an objective way to motivate movement, particularly through step counting and other features.
5) Kids May Develop a Better Sleep Schedule.
Another great feature that most wearables have — even those for adults — is a way to monitor and adjust sleep habits. We already know that parents can view smartwatch data on their children’s activity. That includes sleep patterns, as well.
Many of the best smartwatches for kids allow you to set bedtime reminders and silent wake-up alarms. Some allow children to earn virtual rewards or badges for following a consistent sleep schedule.
6) Gamification Features Can Instill Good Habits.
If you also wear a smartwatch, you may have experienced this already. Those badges and rewards for sleeping soundly are often part of a larger gamified system that promotes positive behaviors. For example, many adults improve their exercise routines once they start wearing fitness trackers.
Children may be more motivated to do more than simply exercise more or maintain a regular sleep schedule. The best smartwatch for kids may even help them accomplish more chores at home or do their homework on time without reminders from you.
7) You Can Bond With Your Children Through Using Wearables.
Almost all kid tech products exist because children are fascinated by emulating adult behavior. You might have grown up playing with toy record players or kitchen sets. Children today see their parents use smartphones and fitness trackers all the time.
When you give them their own wearable device, it’s a chance for you to bond with them over something they’re excited about. Children already know that you have wearables of your own, so naturally, they will look to you for advice on how to use theirs.
Some smartwatches for kids even have features that allow the whole family to participate and engage in friendly competition when it comes to meeting daily or weekly physical activity goals.
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