However, Tele2 innovation expert Arnoldas Lukošius emphasizes that technology intended for safety should not become a means of constant monitoring. Even before starting to use it, it is important to agree on when and why the child’s location will be checked.
Read more National Award Laureate Regina Šaltenytė – in the new „JieDu“ music video clip
Smartwatches for children allow calls to pre-approved contacts and sharing their location, while parents can receive a notification if the child leaves a designated area. Depending on the model, the watch may also have an SOS button, pedometer, or the ability to exchange messages with parent-approved contacts.
“Such a watch can be a good intermediate solution when a child does not yet need a smartphone, but the family wants to maintain contact. If necessary, the child can quickly get in touch with the parents, and in a critical situation – send a help signal. However, this device should be used as an additional safety measure, not as a way to monitor every step the child takes,” says Tele2 innovation expert A. Lukošius.
Not only functions but also data security are important
When choosing the first smart watch for a child, the Tele2 expert advises to check the manufacturer, software updates, and the permissions requested by the associated app. It is also worth finding out where the child’s location data is stored, who can access it, and whether this information can be deleted.
The watch account should be protected with a strong password not used elsewhere, and if possible – enable two-step verification. It is recommended to download the associated app only from the official store, update it regularly, and not grant it more permissions than necessary for the main functions to work.
“The child’s location is sensitive information, so when choosing a watch, it is not enough to evaluate only its price or number of functions. A reliable manufacturer, clear privacy policy, regular security updates, and a properly protected parent account should be among the most important selection criteria,” emphasizes the expert.
Read more Terminus water: fashion or science-based skincare?
According to A. Lukošius, a smartwatch is most useful when the family follows clear agreements: the child knows how to contact the parents and how to act in an unexpected situation, and the parents check the child’s location only when necessary. Clear agreements help maintain a balance between parents’ peace of mind, the child’s privacy, and growing independence.
Agreements – before fastening the watch
Before giving the watch to the child, it is important to explain what data the device collects, when the parents will check the child’s location, and in which cases the SOS button should be used. The child must know that the parents can see where they are and understand why this function is used.
“If parents check the location every few minutes, call as soon as the child deviates from the usual route, and demand constant explanations, the technology can weaken mutual trust. It is much better to agree that this information will be checked if the child is late, does not answer, or there is a justified concern. The watch should give the child more independence, not accustom them to the idea of being constantly monitored,” says A. Lukošius.
It is important to remember that the location shown by the watch is not always completely accurate. GPS accuracy can be affected by buildings, being indoors, or connection quality, so the data presented in the app may sometimes be delayed or displayed with an error.
