At what age is my child ready for a smartwatch?

Smartwatches are almost always paired with a smartphone or have similar functions. Therefore, the answer to the question "When is my child ready for a smartwatch?" is essentially the same as for smartphones. 

Firstly, it naturally depends on the child's own development, but also on their environment. Do friends or older siblings already have a smartwatch? Is online safety addressed at school? Can the child handle the responsibility? Etc. 

Generally, it's recommended that children under 14 not have a smartphone or smartwatch with full internet access. But there are plenty of fun watches and smartwatches available for younger kids that are appropriate for their development. And a watch with GPS, which can track the child's location, gives parents some extra peace of mind.

Up to about 7 years old: First, learn to tell the time 

For the youngest children, it's important to first learn to tell the time on an analog watch with hands. Older children (from about 6 years old) can then get used to more technology with a digital watch. Practicing using apps and games on a smartphone under supervision – without an internet connection – is already possible at this age. 

At Mastersintime.com, we have a wide range of watches for children of all ages. 

For those looking for a watch with location tracking, Ice-Watch, for example, offers children's watches that are compatible with Apple's "Find My" feature.

From age 7 to 10 : Independent outdoors play 

It's generally recommended not to get children a smartwatch until they can play outside independently. Therefore, it's not easy to specify the exact age at which a child can wear a smartwatch. However, somewhere between 7 and 10 years old, a child is old enough to use a children's smartwatch. 

The Ice-Watch Junior smartwatches, for example, are aimed at this age group with cheerful colors, customizable screens, and games. 

Ages 11 to 14 : Smartwatch with a call function 

Older children and pre-teens are already very digitally savvy and can easily use a smartwatch independently. However, it's recommended that children under 14 not get a smartphone or smartwatch with full connectivity due to the risks of internet use. In this case, a simple activity tracker or a smartwatch with a call function (and a limited number of pre-programmed contacts) is a good transition model between a children's smartwatch and a fully adult-sized smartwatch.

For example, Calypso Kids has affordable activity trackers in its range for sporty kids and both Ice Watch and Garmin offer full-fledged smartwatches with calling functions for children.

Pros and cons of a smartwatch for children 

Pros of a smartwatch for children 

• A smartwatch with a calling function is useful if your child isn't ready for their own smartphone yet. This way, they can still be reached and call home. 
• By wearing a smartwatch, your child learns to use smart devices and apps in a playful way from a young age. It also teaches them how to handle valuable equipment properly. 
• The major advantage of a smartwatch with GPS (Global Positioning System) is that you, as a parent/guardian, always know where your child is.
• Sports apps and pedometers encourage your child (and their parents!) to exercise.

Disadvantages of a smartwatch for children 

• A separate (paid) subscription is often required to use the GPS function or make calls with the smartwatch.
• A GPS tracker provides a sense of security, but can also make a child feel untrusted by the parent. 
• Furthermore, the same privacy considerations apply to smartwatches and associated smartphone apps as to smartphones.

What to consider when buying a smartwatch for a child 

To use all the features of a smartwatch, such as calling, location tracking, etc., without pairing the smartwatch with a smartphone, a separate data plan is often required. Can this be arranged through the smartwatch manufacturer itself, or is a separate subscription with a phone plan provider required? Keep this in mind beforehand. 

Also, check whether the smartwatch's operating system is compatible with your smartphone.

Smartwatches for Kids at Mastersintime.com 

Shop smartwatches for kids from well-known brands like Ice-Watch and Garmin at Mastersintime.com. 

Want to learn more about watches for kids and which watch is right for which age? Then read our blog post, "Which children's watch is right for what age?"