The market for smartwatches is getting younger as parents are considering buying their children, as young as five years old, an Apple Watch instead of smartphones to get on with the need to be digitally connected.
According to The New York Times, a 2020 consumer survey has shown a 31 percent increase in smartwatch sales for teenagers and younger kids compared to the 21 percent rise in demand for smartwatches among adult users.
Parents are keener on giving their children an Apple Watch instead of a smartphone so they can still connect and reap the benefits of going digital but do away with the disadvantages of too much exposure to cellphone use and social media. They see smartwatches as a stopgap device for kids who have been longing for a smartphone.
Apple has deliberately made the Apple Watch SE attractive for families by coming out with a cheaper model at $120 and introducing a Family Setup software that allows parents to contact their kids and track their location while limiting their digital distraction.
In a statement, Jeff Williams, the chief operating officer of the Apple Watch, said that the wearable device is perfect for a family member who still cannot have an iPhone but could "keep in touch with loved ones, be more active and stay safe" online.
Apple Watch has no plans to launch a kiddie version...yet
This is not the first time the idea of a children's wearable device from Apple has been broached in public, given that the market for digital natives is growing. It's also a good strategy for Apple to attract the younger market because they could potentially remain Apple users for life.
Apple fans also think that a kid's version is very feasible because the Apple watch features are simple to use, robust in design, and has all the necessary features for the child's protected use.
Despite this, Apple Watch said that there are no plans to launch a children's version of their popular smart device in the near future, per Tech Radar. Some analysts also believe that Apple does not usually have children's editions of their popular products, so a specific design for kids might be a long shot.
Given that Apple will discontinue the $199 Apple Watch Series 3 this week, lowering the price of the new Apple Watch SE from $279 sounds plausible. But I don’t believe there is a new, ultra cheap kids-focused Watch coming as some have said.
— Mark Gurman (@markgurman) September 6, 2022
It comes as Apple unveiled its latest smartwatches and had a redesign of the Apple SE. The Family Setup has remained, and the device has been made lighter. Its newest feature includes a compass app and improved fitness and wellness access.
Are smartwatches better than smartphones for kids?
Not all agree that smartwatches are a better option for kids. A study from the Münster University of Applied Sciences showed that wearable devices are more vulnerable to breaches and may be reverse-engineered for manipulation since smartwatches do not have encryption features.
Parents who may still prefer an Apple Watch over a smartphone for their children are advised to review and study the product they intend to buy carefully. They need to check the permission request features provided on the app.
The parents also have to train their children to spot any unusual messages that pop up on their smartwatch. Family rules also need to be established when it comes to gadget use so they will use their devices responsibly.
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