The first smartwatch for your child: tips and rules

With a smartwatch with an integrated SIM card, children can be reached quickly and easily anytime, anywhere – even without a smartphone. The monthly subscription costs are usually lower than for a smartphone.

With a GPS function in your child's smartwatch, you no longer have to constantly ask yourself ‘Where is my child?’, because you can check at any time.

With a smartwatch, your child can learn how to use digital media at an early age and in a protected environment. Support your child from the outset and explain how to use the smartwatch. 

A smartwatch for children can be seen as an alternative or a precursor to their own smartphone. A smartwatch for children does not allow social media, as internet access is blocked.

This protects your child from unwanted visits to unfamiliar websites, for example by tapping on an advertisement in a free app, which is often unintentional. 

Many children's smartwatches offer features that teach children in a playful way. In many cases, these are already integrated when you purchase the watch. No internet connection is required.

Some smartwatches for children offer a kind of baby monitor or monitoring function that allows parents to listen in on their children. This means that the child essentially has no privacy. At the same time, they rely blindly on their watchful mother and may take additional risks.

Functions such as these are currently the subject of heated debate. In Germany, the use of such monitoring functions has even been banned in some cases.

GPS functions can also give parents a feeling of security, as they know or believe they know where their child is at all times. However, this supposed security can also be deceptive, as the child may have taken off the smartwatch in the meantime or the coordinates may fall into the wrong hands.

When parents can contact their children anytime, anywhere thanks to a smartwatch, this often means that they do so: if their child is running late, they call to ask if everything is okay. Or: did their child remember to have lunch at their grandparents' house today? Better send a quick reminder.

Excessive control on the part of parents can hinder children's personal development. A basis of trust makes it easier for children to develop independence and healthy self-confidence.

The UNICEF Switzerland Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international treaty that defines the rights of the child, including the right to privacy. Care should be taken to ensure that children's right to privacy is respected.

(1) No child shall be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful interference with his or her privacy, family, home or correspondence, nor to unlawful attacks on his or her honour and reputation.

(2) The child has the right to legal protection against such interference or attacks.

Excerpt from the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 16(opens in new tab)

A smartwatch is a distraction: Smartwatches offer numerous functions that children find exciting. A device on the wrist that can light up at any time – including during school lessons – when a message arrives has an impact on concentration.

Schools are also faced with various questions: Should smartwatches be removed during examinations? During lessons too?

Smartwatches and their addictive potential: when a message arrives, the display lights up brightly and you automatically look at it. The same happens when an app sends a push notification. All kinds of apps compete for our attention and use gamification methods to keep us in the app for as long as possible.

Smartwatches perform the function of a conventional watch and provide information about the current time anytime, anywhere.

GPS tracking can be activated in a smartwatch if required. This gives parents peace of mind knowing where their child is at any given time. Be sure to respect your child's privacy.

Note: Active GPS tracking consumes a lot of energy. Regular use requires a powerful battery.

Smartwatches with an integrated SIM card enable calls, text and voice messages, and even video calls with family and friends – without the need for a smartphone.

Depending on the model, an emergency call button may also be available, which can be used to automatically call a pre-programmed number in an emergency situation.

Smartwatches for children often offer pre-installed games or functions that can support children in their learning.

Smartwatches for children offer the option of listening to music on the go with integrated music players. Headphones can often be connected to smartwatches via Bluetooth.

In order to optimally configure your child's smartwatch, many providers offer a family app that parents can install on their smartphone.

In the case of the Movetime Family Watch MT40S, this would be the TCL Connect app.

Only numbers stored in the watch can be called from a smartwatch for children. Incoming calls will also only go through if the number is stored.

Therefore, when setting up the device, specify all permitted numbers and save them.  

Does your child's smartwatch have GPS tracking? Set the desired settings during setup.

Some watches also offer the option of a ‘safe zone’ where the child can stay. This zone is usually marked on a map in the parents' app. If the child leaves the designated zone, a push notification is automatically sent to the parents to inform them of the change of location.

Smartwatches with a chat function offer the option of chatting via direct messages or group chats. Perhaps you would like to set up a family chat? Try out the chat function together with your child and show them all the possibilities (sound recordings, sending pictures, etc.).

Explain to your child how to use the pre-installed apps and notifications. Set the desired settings for push notifications.

Which number should be called when the emergency button is pressed? Explain to your child how the button works and in which situations it should be used.

Where possible and necessary, set passwords and share them with your child. Explain why it is important to use passwords and ask your child to keep them secret.

Smartwatches, like all connected devices, are exposed to potential risks due to security vulnerabilities. It is important to perform regular updates to close these security gaps in a timely manner.

During the first few days and weeks, test the actual battery life of the device: Which functions require how much battery power and when does it need to be recharged? Decide who is responsible for recharging the smartwatch.

As mentioned above, a smartwatch for children can be a significant distraction. Work with your child to agree on times when the watch should be turned off (for example, during lessons or when doing homework).

When should we switch off the smartwatch in the evening at the latest? Which functions of the watch may be used? Together with your child, establish clear guidelines (e.g. screen time) that your child can adhere to for safe and conscious use.

Encourage regular breaks from the smartwatch to reduce the risk of addiction.

Smartwatches collect a wide range of data, from location information to health data. It is important to know what information is collected by the provider, how it is used (and shared), and how you can protect your child's data.

Before making a purchase, find out what data could potentially be misused and how secure this data is on smartwatches. Take this information into account when making your decision and explain to your child the importance of data protection settings and passwords.

Will your child have a smartwatch with a SIM card and thus also be able to communicate with friends using the stored phone numbers? Explain the risks of messaging apps to your child and encourage them to talk about any messages that cause them concern.

Of course, it can happen that a smartwatch gets lost. Active GPS activation allows you to locate the device (as long as the battery lasts). Many models can also be locked online.

Ask yourself what features the new smartwatch should primarily have. Involve your child in this question as well. Then work together to find a model that meets your needs.

Examine the manufacturers: What are the manufacturers' data protection and encryption policies, and how do they protect your child's location and contact details?

If you want to make calls or exchange messages with your child using the smartwatch, you will need a smartwatch with a SIM card.

Browse the internet: is your desired model available second-hand anywhere? Promote a sustainable circular economy by including offers for pre-owned smartwatches in your selection.